How to Spend More Time with the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi

How to Spend More Time with the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi

If you’re eager to spend more time with the magnificent Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi, the Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari is your perfect choice. This unique safari allows you to visit these endangered gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, giving you an incredible four hours during your encounter, compared to just one hour in standard gorilla tracking.

The Gorilla Habituation Experience is a distinctive opportunity for travelers visiting Uganda, as this immersive experience is only available in Uganda, unlike neighboring Rwanda and DR Congo. Trek Africa Expeditions is here to help you plan and book an unforgettable Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari tailored to your preferences. We offer a variety of packages, from budget to luxury, which can be customized to fit your interests. Simply reach out to us via email, and we’ll assist you with the booking process.

Popular Gorilla Safari Packages

• 3-Day Gorilla Habituation Trip

What is the Gorilla Habituation Experience?

The Gorilla Habituation Experience is an exclusive activity that allows you to spend significantly more time with mountain gorillas. During this adventure, you will trek through the forest in search of semi-habituated gorillas that live in a specific family group but are not yet fully accustomed to human presence. Once you locate them, you will engage in activities designed to help these majestic creatures become more comfortable with people.

This experience is particularly special as it lasts four hours, offering you ample time to learn about their behaviors and habitat. The Gorilla Habituation Experience is conducted in small groups of just four visitors, ensuring a more intimate and personal encounter.

Where to Experience the Gorilla Habituation

The Gorilla Habituation Experience takes place exclusively in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, located in southern Uganda. Bwindi is divided into four main sectors for gorilla tracking: Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. However, the Gorilla Habituation Experience is only offered in Rushaga and Nkuringo, with only one gorilla family open for this experience among the twelve families habituated for regular tracking.

Key Differences Between Gorilla Habituation and Gorilla Tracking

While both activities occur in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, the primary distinction lies in the duration and group size. During the Gorilla Habituation Experience, you spend four hours with the mountain gorillas, compared to just one hour during standard gorilla tracking. Additionally, Gorilla Habituation groups are limited to four people, while gorilla tracking groups can have up to eight people.

Permit costs also differ:

• Gorilla Habituation Permit: USD 1,500 for foreign non-residents, USD 1,000 for residents, and 750,000 Ugandan Shillings for East African citizens.
• Gorilla Tracking Permit: USD 700 for foreign non-residents, USD 600 for foreign residents, and 250,000 Ugandan Shillings per trek.

How to Book a Gorilla Habituation Experience Permit

To spend more time with the gorillas, securing your Gorilla Habituation Experience permit in advance is essential. Once you have your travel dates confirmed, simply email us so we can check the availability of permits with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. If permits are available for your chosen dates, we will notify you and provide an invoice for payment.

Once your payment is received, we will promptly purchase your permits and send you a scanned copy for your records. It’s advisable to book your Gorilla Habituation Experience at least 2-3 months in advance, as only four permits are available per group, with a maximum of eight permits issued daily. These permits are highly sought after and sell out quickly, so early booking is essential.

How Much Does a Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari Cost?

When planning your Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari in Uganda, the most significant expense you’ll encounter is the gorilla habituation permit. The current prices for the permits are as follows:

• USD 1,500 for foreign non-residents
• USD 1,000 for foreign residents
• UGX 750,000 for East African citizens

This permit allows you to spend an incredible four hours with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest National Park. In addition to the permit, you’ll need to budget for other essential services such as transportation, accommodation, and guiding. For instance, our 4-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Safari starts at USD 1,272 per person. Contact us for personalized booking assistance!

What is the Best Time for a Gorilla Habituation Experience?

The best time to embark on a Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda is during the dry seasons, which occur from June to October and December to March. During these months, you can expect milder rainfall, making trekking through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest easier. The vegetation is also less dense, providing excellent visibility for spotting the mountain gorillas and capturing stunning photographs.

While the wet seasons (April, May, and November) can make the trails a bit muddy and the vegetation denser, they offer shorter treks since the gorillas do not travel far for food during this time. Despite this, the Gorilla Habituation Experience is well-organized year-round, boasting a 99% chance of encountering these incredible animals.

Where to Stay During Your Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari in Bwindi

For the best experience, it’s advisable to stay in the southern part of Bwindi Forest National Park, where the Gorilla Habituation Experience takes place. Accommodation options in this area cater to various budgets:

• Budget: Options like Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Karungi Camp, and Nshogi Camp cost around USD 90-100 per person per night.
• Mid-range: Lodges such as Rushaga Gorilla Camp and Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge range from USD 150-200 per person per night.
• Luxury: For a more indulgent experience, consider staying at Four Gorillas Lodge, Clouds Gorilla Lodge, or Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, with prices ranging from USD 250-700 per person per night.

How to Get to Bwindi Forest National Park

By Road: The southern sector of Bwindi can be accessed via a scenic drive from Entebbe/Kampala, taking approximately 8-9 hours. You’ll turn off at Muko along the Kabale-Kisoro road, following the Uganda Wildlife Authority signpost to your lodge in either Rushaga or Nkuringo.

By Air: For a quicker option, consider flying from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip. Scheduled and chartered flights are available through local operators like Aero Link and Fly Uganda. Make sure to arrange for a transfer from the airstrip to the park with your tour operator.

Why Book Your Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari with Trek Africa Expeditions?

At Trek Africa Expeditions, we specialize in organizing trips to Bwindi Forest National Park that include the Gorilla Habituation Experience, along with a variety of customizable safari packages. Our strength lies in our dedicated team of passionate Ugandan professionals, combining youthful energy with seasoned expertise. We are proud to be highly rated on TripAdvisor, where you can read testimonials from fellow travelers about their experiences with us.

Contact us today to learn more about how you can spend meaningful time with the gorillas!