Gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation have become the most sought-after tourist activities in Africa.
Gorilla trekking can be done in Virunga National Park in Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
However, gorilla habituation can only be done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
The fact that is is done in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi even favors tourists who book gorilla trekking from Kigali.
Gorillas live in higher elevations of subtropical and tropical rain-forests, primarily feeding on vegetation, especially fruits, although they occasionally supplement their diet with termites, ants, and insects.
Mountain gorilla predators are mainly humans, with leopards posing a rare threat. Mountain gorillas are typically shy and gentle, but they can become highly aggressive when disturbed.
They exhibit threatening signs before charging at their perceived threat, and if the threat persists, it can lead to an attack, which could even result in death.
So, what’s the difference between the two activities?
Gorilla habituation is the process of acclimating mountain gorillas to human presence.
This process typically takes about 2-3 years, during which rangers and researchers visit a gorilla family daily, observe individual behaviors, and assign names to them.
When researchers and rangers are confident that the family can be safely trekked, they undergo a mock exercise, and if they pass, they can then be trekked by tourists.
Gorilla trekking, on the other hand, involves visiting a gorilla family that is already habituated and accustomed to human presence.
Number of Trekkers
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is limited to eight people trekking a particular gorilla family per day, while gorilla habituation is restricted to only four people visiting a gorilla family per day.
Therefore, gorilla permits are easier to obtain, while gorilla habituation permits might be harder to secure, especially during the peak season.
Price of Permits
Gorilla habituation and gorilla trekking also differ in terms of price.
The cost of gorilla trekking is $700 in Uganda, $400 in Congo, and $1500 in Rwanda.
In contrast, the cost of gorilla habituation is $1500 and can only be done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda.
Time Spent with Gorillas
Gorilla habituation offers visitors more time to spend with mountain gorillas, as travelers spend four hours studying and observing gorillas.
In contrast, gorilla trekking provides travelers with only an hour of experiencing mountain gorillas.
There are habituated gorilla families available for trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park.
However, there are only two gorilla families undergoing habituation, namely the Bikingi gorilla family and the Bishaho gorilla family.
In conclusion, gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation both offer thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Your choice will depend on your budget and how much time you want to spend with mountain gorillas.
