Gorilla habituation experience in Uganda 2024/2025 : Gorilla habituation is a fascinating safari practice that takes place in Uganda. This allows mountain gorillas to become accustomed to the presence of humans in preparation for gorilla trekking safari. The only place in Uganda where the gorilla habituation experience is offered is in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which can be found in the park’s southern region.
Gorilla habituation safari experience is restricted to a maximum of four participants per day and is carried out by a group consisting of researchers, park rangers, park guides, and gorilla physicians. Gorilla habituation safari experience begins very early in the morning with a briefing regarding the rules, regulations, and expectations that have to be followed during the trip. After the briefing, you will then begin walking through the forest in search of mountain gorillas, which will take almost an entire day. While you are trekking, you will have the opportunity to see different types of primates, bird species, plant and tree species, and more. After the mountain gorillas have been found, you will be given the opportunity to spend four hours with them in their natural habitat. During this time, you will be able to study and monitor their behaviors, observe them as they carry out their daily routines, participate in the naming process, and take photographs, among other things.
Best time to go for gorilla habituation experience in Uganda 2024/2025
Gorilla habituation safari experience in Uganda can be done at any time throughout the year; however, the best time to do it is during the dry season, which is from June to September and from December to February. This is because during the dry season, there is less rainfall in the park, which means that access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be passable, which makes trekking easier than during the rainy season, when the trails are muddy and slippery, which makes trekking difficult.
Cost of gorilla habituation permit in Uganda 2024/2025
A gorilla habituation permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park costs 1,500 USD per person for foreign non-residents, 800 USD per person for foreign residents and 300,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
How to book gorilla habituation permits in Uganda 2024/2025
You can get a gorilla habituation permit in Uganda by contacting a tour operator like Primate Holidays and providing us with the date, month, and year of your visit to the gorillas. The tour operator will then book the permit for you. When you get in touch with us, the first thing we’ll do is verify the availability of permits. If there are permits available on the dates you choose, we’ll ask you for a deposit to hold those permits. As soon as we have received the payment, the gorilla habituation permit will be obtained on your behalf, and a scanned copy of the receipt will be emailed to you as confirmation.
However, gorilla habituation permits in Uganda should be booked three to six months in advance before the trekking date. This is because the permits are limited in number and typically sell out quickly, particularly during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. As a result, if you want to avoid experiencing disappointment at the last minute, it is highly recommended that you book your permits in advance.
Where to stay during your gorilla habituation safari in Uganda 2024/2025
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There are a number of accommodation facilities situated within the Rushaga sector where you can stay during your gorilla habituation experience. The accommodations include Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Hills Eco Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, and many more.
How to get to Bwindi impenetrable national park.Â
Gorilla habituation experience takes place in Rushaga sector Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is situated in the southern region of the park. The park can be reached by road transport means; to get there, you will drive from Kampala to Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and finally to the park headquarters, which is a journey that takes approximately 9 to 10 hours.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park may also be reached from Kigali, Rwanda. To get there, fly into Kigali International Airport, and then take a connection to Rushaga sector either through the Cyanika border near Kisoro or the Katuna border. The trip to either of these borders takes around three to four hours.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park may also be reached by air, and to do so, you will need to book a domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip, and from there, you will need to connect to the Rushaga sector.
Gorilla habituation experience can be combined with a number of other activities, like gorilla trekking, guided nature walks, bird viewing, and cultural experiences with the Batwa people, amongst others, in order to create amazing memories throughout your safari. You are welcome to get in touch with us here at Primate Holidays for any further inquiries or to make reservations for a gorilla habituation safari.