How is Gorilla habituation different from Gorilla tracking? – Guaranteed Gorilla Habituation permits
How is gorilla habituation different from gorilla tracking? – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the key habitat for the endangered Mountain Gorillas, the National park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in south-western Uganda. The National park is 331kilometres squared and impresses truly theatrical landscape and biodiversity. This is a region of volcanoes, jagged valleys, waterfalls and the dramatic mountain ranges. Bird watchers come thousands of miles to see more than 350 bird species that live within the area.
Gorilla Habituation
Gorilla habituation is a slow and gentle introduction of a wild Gorilla family to the presence of humans. Wild Gorillas are habituated with park rangers and researchers while they study more about the species, treat them for sickness and injuries, protect them from hunters, and boost their conservation efforts with sustainable tourism.
Currently there are two Gorilla families (Bukingyi & Bushaho) being habituated in Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
In order to become accustomed to the presence of humans, each Gorilla family has undergone a lengthy habituation process for a period of 2-3 years managed by a team of expert researchers, conservationists, trackers and rangers.
Park rangers start the habituation process by spending a short period of time with the Gorillas each day, maintaining a specific distance at the limit of the Gorilla’s comfort zone. Every few months they gradually increase the time and reduce the distance until they are certain that the Gorillas are ready for tourists to visit them.
Whilst the Gorillas are not yet completely habituated (the Gorillas are used to trackers and rangers, but not to strangers or tourists) the Gorilla Habituation Experience will help to ensure that they will eventually become fully comfortable in the company of humans.
What is the difference between Gorilla trekking and Gorilla habituation?
Both Gorilla trekking and the Gorilla Habituation Experiences are incredible opportunities to trek deep into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with an experienced tracker, in search of a wild mountain Gorilla family.
On a Gorilla trek, you can hike through the forest for anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours, depending on the location of the specific Gorilla family you are tracking. When you finally meet your allocated Gorilla family you will have the chance to spend up to one special hour quietly observing them in their natural habitat.
No wildlife encounter on earth can compare to standing a few meters from the Gorillas. It will undoubtedly be a magical experience that you will never ever forget.
For those who wish to spend more than one hour with the Gorillas there is a rare opportunity to participate in a four hour Gorilla Habituation, run by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. This allows you to spend up to four hours with these magnificent creatures and is only available in Rushaga region in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
On this experience you will get a deeper understanding of Gorilla tracking and Gorilla behaviour than on a normal trek, and you will have a greater amount of time to observe and photograph the Gorillas.
If you want to spend more time with the Giant Apes you need to book your Gorilla habituation permits in advance. A maximum of 4 people are allowed to participate and trek mountain Gorilla for 4 hours on this Gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The cost of Gorilla habituation permit is USD1500 per person per trek. Book with us at Great Adventure Safaris the leading Gorilla safari company and a local tour operator in Uganda.
Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi forest alone has 18 habituated Gorilla families active for Gorilla tracking per day, spending at least one hour with these giant apes. A maximum of 8 tourists are allowed to track each of the 18 Gorilla families per day, the cost of Gorilla tracking permits in Uganda is USD700 per person per trek. At Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park there are four Gorilla tracking trailheads which are Buhoma trailhead, Ruhija trailhead, Rushaga and Nkuringo trailhead. A total of 144 tourists can track mountain Gorillas daily at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Kindly send us an email at Great Adventure Safaris for all your remarkable safaris in Uganda and Rwanda.
