Gorilla habituation is a process where wild gorillas are regularly visited by trained habituation personnel to familiarize them to being visited by humans.  Gorilla Habituation involves routine visits by trained researchers who closely study individual gorillas and best ways to relate to them. With time, these gorillas get used to these researchers and in the long run, each individual gorilla is given a name. Once researchers are sure that these mountain gorillas can be trekked, they then setup a mock visit where a few people who may include scientists, journalists start visiting it. If the mock visit is successful then it is opened for trekking.

Where can I do Gorilla habituation in Uganda

Gorilla Habituation in Uganda is only currently being done in Rushaga Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as designated by Uganda Wildlife Authority for 2016. Gorilla Habituation in Uganda is done by a group of researchers who operate under the department of Research and Monitoring which is under Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Comparing the Gorilla Habituation & Gorilla Tracking?

You are for 04 hours with the Mountain Gorillas instead of 01. Your day starts at 7:30am at Rushaga Park Headquarters and you return in the late Afternoon. Your day begins with a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority Staff and the Research – Habituation Team. 4 hours with a Gorilla Family being habituated instead of 1 hour. The four hours does not include the time it takes hiking in and out from the Gorilla Group being habituated making it an all-day experience.

There are only two Groups being habituated in 2016 and they are the Bikingi and Bushaho Gorilla Families.

The number of Visitors allowed per day is limited to 4 participants per group compared with 8 for normal Gorilla Trekking Visit in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Rules and regulations apply to the Gorilla Habituation Experience as it does to the Gorilla Trekking.

In regards as to what to wear on a Gorilla Habituation Experience – the same suggestions apply as for Gorilla safaris tours.

Price for Habituation Permit is US$1500 per person international visitors and $ 1000 per person for foreign residents and 750,000 Uganda Shillings for the East African citizens for 4 hours with the Mountain Gorillas compared to US$600 foreign visitors, $ 500 foreign resident and 250,000 East African for a Gorilla Trek Permit.

How do I book a gorilla Habituation Permit?

Minimum Age of 15 applies as it does for normal Gorilla Trekking in Uganda.

Gorilla tourism can book for you Gorilla Habituation Experience which takes place only in Rushaga sector– Bwindi Forest at US$1,500 per person international visitors and $ 1000 per person for foreign residents and 750,000 Uganda Shillings for the East African citizens for 4 hours with the Mountain Gorillas compared to US$600 foreign visitors, $ 500 foreign resident and 250,000 East African for a Gorilla Trek Permit.

Bookings for the gorilla habituation permits should be done in advance prior of 3 month before your travel dates and this reduces your chances of missing this experience as the number is limited to 04 visitors compared to the trek which allows 08 visitors to Uganda. Passport information is required and the permit cost includes the park entrance fee for the day.

Where to stay before and after gorilla habituation

As this experience takes place at the Rushaga sector which is also near Nkuringo sector which is situated 30 minutes away, you are required to stay in lodges within this area. This sector has all categories of lodges-luxury, mid-range and budget-Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Mutanda Lake Resort, Bwindi Jungle Lodge & Gorilla Valley Lodge respectively.

Accessibility

This route takes 9 to 10 hours drive-time from Entebbe – Bwindi forest, or if you start with other destinations then to Bwindi the drive become shorter, say with the visit first to Queen Elizabeth National Park or you can have the fly typical gorilla trip by going with the domestic charter from Entebbe to Kisoro airstrip and then drive a short distance from Kisoro town to Rushaga.

More so this experience can start from Kigali and then take 3 hours ground transportation to Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park in Uganda.