Gorilla Habituation | 4-Hour Experience in Uganda

Gorilla habituation experience (GHEX) in Uganda began in January 2014. Uganda’s Rushaga gorilla habituation experience is the process of helping mountain gorillas get used to people before tourists are allowed to visit them.

Tourists who choose this activity join researchers in the forest and take part in the process. This experience gives you more time with the gorillas compared to normal trekking, and only four people are allowed to take part each day.

Gorilla habituation takes two or more years to complete, depending on the gorilla family. During this time, researchers and rangers visit the group every day, studying and learning the behavior of each gorilla.

Eventually, each gorilla is given a name, and the group slowly becomes comfortable around people.

When the researchers believe the gorillas are ready, they organize a test where a few people visit the group. If the group behaves well during this test, it becomes open for trekking.

Gorilla habituation is only done in Uganda, in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Currently, only two gorilla families are under habituation: the Bikingi family and the Bishaho family.

You can book a gorilla trekking trip from Kigali to visit these two families.

Cost of Gorilla Habituation Permits

A gorilla habituation permit in Uganda costs $1500 per person.

These permits should be booked 5 to 6 months in advance because there is high demand.

Regular gorilla trekking permits cost $800 in Uganda, $1500 in Rwanda, and $400 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Uganda Gorilla Habituation Tours from Kigali

Tourists can choose to travel from Rwanda by flying into Kigali International Airport and driving to the Rushaga sector in Bwindi.

This option saves time and transport costs.

Budget Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi

Budget gorilla habituation is very possible. To save money on habituation, you can stay in lower-priced lodges. Some lodges offer discounts during the low season.

Although the permit cost stays the same, you may spend less on accommodation and other services.

Keep in mind that during the low season, the trails may be muddy and slippery.

You can also compare prices from different tour companies and choose a more affordable one.

Another way to save is by flying into Kigali and driving to Bwindi, which is closer, rather than flying into Uganda and driving for 10–11 hours to Rushaga.

Permits can be bought through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a trusted tour company.

Luxury Habituation in the Rushaga Sector of Bwindi

Travelers who want a luxury gorilla habituation experience can fly into Entebbe International Airport, then take a domestic flight to Kisoro airstrip, which is near the Rushaga sector.

The Rushaga area has some of the best views in the park, including the Virunga volcanoes and the twin lakes, Lake Mutanda and Lake Mulehe.

Luxury lodges in Rushaga include Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, and Rushaga Gorilla Camp.

Gorilla Habituation vs. Gorilla Trekking

Both activities are popular in Africa. Gorilla trekking is offered in Virunga National Park (Congo), Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), Bwindi, and Mgahinga (Uganda).

However, habituation is only done in Bwindi.

Key Differences Between Trekking & Habituation

Process: Habituation helps gorillas get used to humans. This takes about 2 to 3 years. During this time, rangers visit the gorillas every day and learn their behaviors. When the gorillas are ready, they are tested with a small group of visitors. If they stay calm, they are opened for trekking. Gorilla trekking means visiting a group that is already used to people.
Number of Visitors: Trekking allows 8 people per gorilla group per day. Habituation allows only 4 people. This makes habituation permits harder to get, especially in the peak season.
Permit Cost: Trekking permits cost $800 in Uganda, $400 in Congo, and $1500 in Rwanda. Habituation permits cost $1500 and are only available in Bwindi, Uganda.
Time with Gorillas: Habituation gives you 4 hours with the gorillas. Trekking gives you 1 hour.

There are many habituated families for trekking in Bwindi, Mgahinga, Volcanoes, and Virunga. But only two families are under habituation: Bikingi and Bishaho.

Gorilla trekking and habituation are both special experiences. The choice depends on your budget and how much time you want to spend with the gorillas.