Gorilla habituation is the process of training mountain gorillas to become accustomed to human presence.
This is typically done over a period of 2-3 years by researchers, conservationists, scientists, and rangers who continually monitor and study each individual in the group.
They later assign names based on the behaviors and personality of each individual.
Before mountain gorillas can be trekked, they must undergo a “mocking exercise,” and if they pass this exercise, they will be considered ready for trekking.
Rwanda is one of the countries where mountain gorillas live in the world.
However, Rwanda offers only gorilla trekking and not gorilla habituation.
The fascinating gorilla habituation experience can only be done in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
In this sector, you can experience the trendy gorilla trekking from Kigali or gorilla habituation from Kigali.
Gorilla habituation offers a thrilling experience compared to gorilla trekking because you spend four hours with the great apes, unlike gorilla trekking, and the number of people participating in gorilla habituation is also less compared to gorilla trekking.
Currently, there are two gorilla groups undergoing gorilla habituation in Bwindi: the Bikingi gorilla family and the Bishaho gorilla family.
The advantage of gorilla habituation in Bwindi is that the gorilla families being habituated are located in the southern part of the park, which is close to Rwanda, being approximately a 5-6 hours drive from Kigali and 2-3 hours from Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Tourists can, therefore, fly to Rwanda and travel by road to Bwindi National Park for gorilla habituation.
Gorilla habituation in Uganda can be done in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi National Park.
The gorilla families undergoing habituation are the Bikingi gorilla family and the Bishaho gorilla family.
Though gorilla habituation is expensive, the experience of spending four hours with mountain gorillas is a worthwhile experience, and you will not be crowded as in gorilla trekking.
Gorilla habituation permits cost only $1500, which is the same cost as gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
Permits for gorilla habituation must be purchased 5-6 months in advance of the actual gorilla trekking date due to high demand, especially during the peak season.
People under the age of 15 years will not be allowed to participate in gorilla habituation.
Tourists with infections like cough, flu, and other contagious diseases will also not be allowed to trek mountain gorillas.
