Gorilla Habituation
Few wildlife experiences in this World are as breathtaking and rewarding as having the face to face encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas still undergoing habituation. Interestingly, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (in the southwest of Uganda) is so far the only place in this World that makes it possible for travellers to spend quality time with semi-habituated gorillas, in an activity known as “Gorilla Habituation Experience”.
While several definitions have been fronted to explain “Gorilla Habituation”, it is literally the process of offering training to wild Mountain gorillas to make them used to human presence. This activity usually takes 2-3 years and normally done by a team of researchers, conservationists and trackers, in addition to Park rangers. It is done in all the four Gorilla Parks but the introduction of visitors to witnessing this process is only possible in Bwindi and was introduced in 2014 by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Process of Gorilla Habituation in Uganda
Before mountain gorillas become free with human presence, their families have to undergo an extensive habituation process that lasts 2-3 years. The process is done by a team of expert researchers, conservationists, trackers and rangers while introduction of other individuals is initiated by Rangers who have to first spend a short period of time with the Great Apes each day while maintaining a specified distance while following the limit of their comfort zone.
Time is slowly increased for every successive month in addition to distance being decreased until Rangers finally confirm that the Great Apes are now ready to receive tourists. For the Gorilla habituation Experience, the mountain gorillas are not fully habituated but it is still safe for visitors. For booking this unmatched Gorilla Experience, you are literally supporting the crucial work in habituating these primates in addition to ensuring their survival. Interestingly, visitors have more time (four hours of interaction) and are more private with less number of visitors (four persons).
Actual Day of the Gorilla Habituation Experience
On the day of the Gorilla Habituation Experience, travellers are expected at the trailhead by 7:00am for briefing, then use one of the trails through the jungle. This also depends on the previous day location of the Great Apes but takes from 1-6 hours or even more to find the gorilla group.
Explore the Impenetrable forest without any established trails while cutting through the dense forest with machetes, crossing streams and climbing steep as well as mossy slopes and once Rangers find the previous day gorilla nests, it will take minutes or at least an hour to finally find Gorillas.
Presently, two Gorilla Groups-Bikingi and Bushaho are presently undergoing Habituation within Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors respectively, within the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Gorilla Habituation Permits
The Cost of Gorilla Habituation permits in Uganda presently go for $1500 per person per day and provide four hours with the semi-habituated gorilla group, the same amount paid for standard gorilla treks in Volcanoes National Park within Rwanda. This cost covers entrance into the jungles, access to experienced trackers, conservationists, researchers and Ranger guides in addition to security during treks. Interestingly, the money paid directly contributes to different conservation initiatives towards mountain gorillas like research, veterinary care, community development, to mention but a few.
When to enjoy Gorilla Habituation in Uganda
The extraordinary Gorilla Habituation Experience within Uganda is undertaken throughout the year. First, it is worth noting that the daytime temperature of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is from 20 to 25˚C. The most perfect time of enjoying Gorilla Habituation in Uganda is the dry season, between December and February as well as again June to September. During these months of the year, the dense forest is generally drier, less muddy and slippery for the guided walks.
For visitors that choose to undertake Gorilla Habituation during the rainy season-March to May as well as October to November should expect walking through denser and greener vegetation, muddy and slippery trails hence more challenging because of the heavy downpours that characterize these months.
What to pack or carry for Gorilla Habituation in Uganda
It wouldn’t make sense packing non-essential things during Gorilla Habituation in Uganda, thus your packing list should include non-flash camera for capturing every wonderful moment during this adventure. Also, make sure that you have extra memory space and spare batteries.
Also comfortable and lightweight clothing is recommended for Gorilla Habituation in Uganda. These include light and breathable safari pants as well as long-sleeved shirts for offering cover from insect bites.
Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support and grip are handy but as you acquire them, make sure that they are properly worn-in to avoid burns as well as blisters. For this reason, make sure that you carry cotton socks.
For sun protection, sunglasses and wide-brimmed hat are important, especially if the activity is done during the dry season.
Also carry a rainproof backpack with ample space for carrying your re-usable water bottle, packed lunch, snacks, rain jacket, insect repellant, sunscreen, gorilla permit, camera, binoculars, toiletries and other things needed during gorilla Habituation in Uganda.
Binoculars are also recommended, especially if you have plans of spotting other features of the forest like birds, butterflies and primates.
Travellers are also advised to carry gardening gloves for protection against bruises as well as scratches while using tree branches and leaves for grip/support.
The rain jacket is also important when enjoying Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, characterized by the tropical rainforest where rainfall is received all year round.
Re-usable water bottle is handy for carrying drinking water while staying hydrated during the Gorilla Habituation in Uganda.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda also requires toiletries especially hand sanitizer, toothpaste, hair shampoo, hair comb, sanitary towels for female travellers, deodorant, nail clips, lip balm, toothbrush, wet wipes, hand and body lotion, to mention but a few.
You also need to carry some healthy energy-giving snacks, given the long hours (1-6 hours) of trekking in the jungles.
Places of lodging during Gorilla Habituation in Uganda
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge has existed since 2007 and is found within Nkuringo sector, making it a perfect base to visitors planning to enjoy Gorilla Habituation in Uganda. Its construction was inspired by Mother Nature where raw materials were locally sourced from the surrounding local communities. This swanky Lodge features 10 sumptuous cottages, each providing travellers with jaw-dropping experiences, elegance and luxury while exploring the jungles of Bwindi. Additionally, the voluminous rooms are surprisingly fully furnished with private decks facing into the verdant tropical rainforest.
Gorilla Safari Lodge
This luxurious Lodge is managed by Crystal Lodges and boasts of 18-bedrooms flanked by dense Banana and Guava trees. Also, each of the rooms at Gorilla Safari Lodge is solar-powered, has private en-suite bathroom, flush eco-toilets, breathtaking views of the forest, Satellite TV and spacious living area.
Rushaga Gorilla Camp
For visitors looking for classic place of lodging during Gorilla Habituation in Uganda, book with Rushaga Gorilla Camp, sitted on 6 acres of land at a stone throw from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This midrange Lodge is approximately 15 minutes’ walk from the main trailhead of Rushaga and offers accommodation in form of opulent tents as well as double bandas with a total of 30 beds and face the verdant rainforest.
The Bandas and tents are marked by 6 self-contained Luxury tents, 6 self-contained bandas as well as 2 family bandas. Other amenities or facilities at the Lodge include a spacious restaurant that serves local and International cuisines, outdoor swimming pool, a dining area, fully-functional conference room, massage parlor, Leisure Club, yoga center as well as a fully-stocked bar where gins, whiskeys, Champagne, wines, beers and non-alcoholic drinks can be enjoyed.
Other remarkable places of lodging during the Gorilla Habituation tour in Uganda are Chameleon Hill Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, the simple Nshongi Camp, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Lake Muhele Gorilla Lodge, to mention but a few.
Getting to Bwindi for Gorilla Habituation in Uganda
The beautiful Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is found in the south-western corner of Uganda, near the Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo border points. This Protected Area is reachable by air or road transport. Majority of the travellers arrive via Entebbe International Airport, the main International gateway found in the pristine Town of Entebbe, along the shores of Lake Victoria in Central Uganda.
Road transfers from Entebbe last 8-9 hours, but most Gorilla Habituation Tours are spiced with wildlife safaris by making stops at Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison falls National Parks or chimpanzee trekking within Kibale Forest National Park.
However, there is an option of using air by travellers who are limited by time. This is made possible by the existence of two airstrips that serve Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and these are Kihihi and Kisoro Airstrips. Normally, daily flights are organized by Aerolink from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip. These scheduled flights take between one to one and a half hours. Given the fact that Gorilla Habituation in Uganda is undertaken in Bwindi’s southern sectors, travellers normally arrive via Kisoro Airstrip before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through dusty roads for about 2 hours.