Gorilla habituation experience (GHEX) in Uganda began in January 2014. Uganda’s Rushaga gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 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 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.
Gorilla Habituation Permits
A gorilla habituation permit in Uganda costs $1,500 per person. These permits should be booked 5 to 6 months in advance, given the high demand.
Regular gorilla trekking permits cost $800 in Uganda, $1,500 in Rwanda, and $400 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. If you’d like to compare the full range of options, you can see our gorilla safari packages.
Uganda Gorilla Habituation Tours From Kigali
Planning for Uganda gorilla habituation from Kigali? Tourists can enjoy the gorilla habituation experience in Uganda even if they fly into Rwanda. From Kigali International Airport, they can drive to the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where this special activity takes place.
For travelers who cannot afford the habituation permit, regular gorilla trekking from Kigali is also a good option, saving both time and transport costs.
Budget Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi
Budget gorilla habituation is very possible. To save money, you can stay in lower priced lodges, and some 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 10 to 11 hours to Rushaga.
Permits can be bought through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a trusted tour company.
Luxury Habituation
Travelers who want a luxury gorilla habituation experience can fly into Entebbe International Airport, then take a domestic flight to Kisoro airstrip, 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.
Is There Gorilla Habituation in Rwanda?
Rwanda is one of the few countries where mountain gorillas live. However, Rwanda only offers gorilla trekking, not gorilla habituation.
One benefit of doing gorilla habituation in Bwindi is that these families live in the southern part of the park, closer to Rwanda. It takes about 5 to 6 hours to drive there from Kigali and 2 to 3 hours from Volcanoes National Park.
This means tourists can fly into Rwanda and drive to Bwindi for the habituation experience.
Gorilla Trekking vs Gorilla Habituation
Gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation are now among the most popular tourist activities in Africa. Gorilla trekking can be done in Virunga National Park in Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
Gorilla habituation, however, is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Since it takes place in the Rushaga sector, it is also convenient for tourists starting their trips from Kigali.
What Is the Difference Between Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Habituation?
Gorilla habituation is a process where mountain gorillas are slowly trained to get used to people. This process takes about 2 to 3 years, during which rangers and researchers visit the gorilla group every day, studying their behavior and giving names to each individual.
When the gorillas are calm around people, a mock trek is conducted. If the group responds well, they become ready for tourist visits.
Gorilla trekking, by contrast, is when tourists visit a gorilla group that is already accustomed to human presence.
Number of Trekkers
In Uganda, only eight people are allowed to trek a habituated gorilla group per day. Gorilla habituation is more limited, allowing only four people to visit a gorilla group each day.
This means gorilla trekking permits are easier to get, while gorilla habituation permits can be harder to find, especially during the busy travel season.
Price of Permits
Gorilla trekking permits cost $800 in Uganda, $400 in Congo, and $1,500 in Rwanda. Gorilla habituation permits cost $1,500 and are only available in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
Time Spent With Gorillas
Gorilla habituation allows tourists to spend more time with the gorillas, with visitors spending four hours observing and learning about them, compared to just one hour during gorilla trekking.
You can find habituated gorilla groups for trekking in Bwindi, Mgahinga, Volcanoes, and Virunga national parks, but only two gorilla families are currently being habituated: the Bikingi and Bishaho groups.
Gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation both offer memorable experiences, and your choice depends on your budget and how much time you want to spend with the mountain gorillas.
Best Time for Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi
The best time to go is during the dry months, June to September and December to February. The rainy season makes trails slippery, although gorillas are sometimes easier to find, since they move less when food is nearby.
What to Bring
For habituation or trekking, pack hiking boots, garden gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen, warm clothes, energy snacks, drinking water, and sunglasses.
Where to Sleep
If you’re doing habituation in Bwindi, consider staying in Rushaga or Nkuringo. Recommended lodges include Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
