Gorilla habituation experience (GHEX) in Uganda was introduced in January 2014.
Uganda’s Rushaga gorilla habituation experience is the process of acclimating mountain gorillas to human presence before they can be made available for trekking by tourists.
Tourists interested in this activity will join researchers in the process and actively participate in the activity.
This is more advantageous than gorilla trekking because you spend more time with mountain gorillas compared to gorilla trekking, and the number of people in habituation is also reduced to only 4 people.
Gorilla habituation can take 2 or more years to be completed, depending on the gorilla family.
During the habituation period, researchers and rangers visit the gorilla group on a daily basis, learning and studying each gorilla’s behavior.
They are given names in the long run as gorillas also get used to human presence.
When the researchers think that the gorillas are ready to be visited, they introduce a mock exercise where they go with some people to trek that gorilla family, and once the family has passed that mocking exercise, they will then be introduced for trekking.
GHEX can only be done in Uganda, in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
There are only two groups being habituated: the Bikingi gorilla family and the Bishaho gorilla family.
Book gorilla trekking from Kigali to visit these two groups.
Permits
Habituation permits in Uganda cost $1500 per person, and these permits should be booked 5-6 months in advance before the actual trekking date due to high demand.
Normal Bwindi gorilla permits cost $700 per person in Uganda, $1500 in Rwanda, and $400 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
About the Rushaga Sector of Bwindi
The Rushaga sector of Bwindi is located in the southern part of the park and boasts the highest number of habituated gorillas among all the sectors.
The Rushaga region is very close to Rwanda, making it an ideal choice for Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking tours.
It is only a four-hour drive away from Kigali.
The Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the four sectors in the park where you can trek mountain gorillas.
The other sectors include the Nkuringo sector (Western sector), Buhoma sector (Northern sector), and Ruhija sector (Eastern sector).
To trek gorillas in Rushaga, you need to book Rushaga gorilla permits.
Combining Birding & Gorilla Habituation
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to about 348 species of birds, and some of them are endemic to this area.
Some of the birds that can be spotted in the park include the western green tinkerbird, Shelley’s greenbul, African green broadbill, red-throated alethe, grey cuckoo shrike, fine-banded woodpecker, bar-tailed trogon, Kivu ground thrush, mountain yellow warbler, African wood owl, and many others.
These birds are distributed among the four sectors.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is not only home to mountain gorillas but also to other wildlife, such as bushbucks, warthogs, bush pigs, forest elephants (rarely seen), giant forest genet, African civet, and 13 primate species, including vervet monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys, to name a few.
Uganda Habituation Tours from Kigali
Tourists can engage in gorilla habituation from Rwanda by flying into Kigali International Airport and drive to the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where the activity takes place.
This will cut your journey in half and save you transportation costs.
Budget Gorilla Habituation
For a budget habituation experience, you can choose to stay in lodges with lower rates.
Budget habituation can also be done during the low season.
While the habituation permit price doesn’t change, some lodges offer discounts on their accommodation compared to prices during the peak season.
However, GHEX during this time can be challenging, as the trails are often muddy and slippery.
You can also have a budget GHEX by choosing a more affordable tour company.
Tourists can do this by comparing prices offered by different companies for the overall experience.
Additionally, tourists can cut some costs by traveling directly to Rwanda to Kigali International Airport and then driving to Bwindi National Park in the Rushaga sector, which is close to the border, instead of flying to Uganda and driving for 10-11 hours to Rushaga sector.
The cost of a habituation permit is $1500 per person and can be obtained through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a trusted tour company.
Mountain gorillas are diurnal animals.
They typically start foraging very early in the morning at 6 am until midday when they take a rest.
This period is important for grooming and group bonding.
The gorillas resume foraging in the afternoon, continuing until 6 pm when they build new nests, different from the nests of the previous day.
Mountain gorillas have long and thick fur that helps them adapt to the cold environments they live in.
They share about 95% DNA with humans, with their nose prints unique to each individual, just like human thumbprints are unique to each person.
Baby mountain gorillas are vulnerable, like human babies when they are born, and they breastfeed on their mother’s breast up to about 3-4 years of age.
Luxury Habituation in Rushaga Sector of Bwindi
Luxury clients interested in GHEX can fly into Entebbe International Airport and then to Kisoro airstrip near the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Entebbe or Kajjansi airfield.
The Rushaga sector of Bwindi National Park, where trekking is conducted, offers the most spectacular views in the park, including panoramic views of the Virunga Massif volcanoes and the stunning twin lakes, Lake Mutanda and Lake Mulehe.
Accommodation options and permits are varied.
Luxurious lodges in the Rushaga sector include Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, and others.
Gorilla Habituation vs Gorilla Trekking
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 Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
However, habituation can only be done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda.
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?
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 is limited to eight people trekking a particular gorilla family per day, while GHEX is restricted to only four people visiting a gorilla family per day.
Therefore, gorilla trekking permits are easier to obtain, while 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
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 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.
12 Facts about Gorilla Habituation
Gorilla habituation is an amazing process that allows researchers and tourists to spend an extended amount of time with wild mountain gorillas, gradually acclimating them to human presence.
Here are some key facts about GHEX:
- Duration: Gorilla habituation typically takes about 2-3 years. During this period, researchers and rangers regularly visit a specific gorilla family to observe their behavior and monitor their interactions with humans.
- Objective: The main goal is to make mountain gorillas comfortable around humans, which is essential for gorilla tourism and research. Habituated gorillas are less likely to react aggressively or feel threatened when tourists come to observe them.
- Naming: Researchers involved in habituation often give names to individual gorillas based on their distinct characteristics, which helps in tracking and monitoring them.
- Gorilla Families: Not all gorilla families undergo habituation. Habituation is usually carried out with specific gorilla families, while others remain wild and unhabituated.
- Limited Visitors: Unlike gorilla trekking, where up to eight visitors are allowed to visit a gorilla family per day, gorilla habituation experiences are limited to only four visitors per day, allowing for a more intimate and less crowded encounter.
- Extended Time: Habituation permits provide tourists with approximately four hours in the presence of mountain gorillas, as opposed to the one-hour limit for gorilla trekking. This extended time allows for more in-depth observation and photography.
- Permit Costs: Habituation permits tend to be more expensive than gorilla trekking permits. In Uganda, for example, gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 per person, compared to the $600 cost for gorilla trekking permits.
- Location: Currently, GHEX are primarily offered in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda. Other countries with mountain gorilla populations, like Rwanda and Congo, do not currently offer gorilla habituation experiences.
- Age Restrictions: There is typically a minimum age requirement for both gorilla habituation and trekking, often set at 15 years or older. This is to ensure the safety and comfort of both tourists and gorillas.
- Research and Conservation: Gorilla habituation not only benefits tourism but also contributes to scientific research and gorilla conservation efforts. Researchers gather valuable data during habituation, helping to protect these endangered primates.
- Advance Booking: Gorilla habituation permits are in high demand, especially during peak seasons. To secure a permit, it’s advisable to book several months in advance.
- Guides and Rangers: During gorilla habituation, experienced guides and rangers accompany visitors to ensure safety, provide information, and facilitate the experience.
Gorilla habituation is a unique and rewarding opportunity to connect with these incredible creatures while contributing to their conservation.
It offers a more immersive experience for those who seek a deeper understanding of mountain gorillas and their natural habitat.
Best Time for Bwindi Gorilla Habituation
The best time for gorilla habituation in Bwindi National Park is during the drier months of June to September and December to February.
The rest of the wet season can be challenging due to the slippery and muddy trails, though gorillas can easily be found as food is abundant, so they don’t move long distances.
What to Bring
Tourists coming for gorilla habituation or gorilla trekking should include some items in their packing list, such as hiking boots, garden gloves, insect repellents, sunscreen, warm clothes, energy snacks, drinking water, sunglasses, and more.
Where to Sleep
When going for gorilla habituation in Bwindi National Park, tourists can book accommodation in the Rushaga or Nkuringo regions of Bwindi.
Some of the lodges to consider include Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, & Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge among others.
Book your dream safari below.
Featured in: Gorilla Trekking
Do you need to visit multiple destinations or need to customize a trip to match your interests? We are very open to this and are willing to help. Kindly click to inquire below to navigate to the detailed booking page.
