Gorilla Habituation Luxury Lodges in Bwindi

Gorilla Habituation Luxury Lodges in Bwindi

If you’re seeking a premium experience during your gorilla habituation tour in Bwindi, staying at one of the luxury lodges is the perfect choice. Gorilla habituation is available exclusively in the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with only two mountain gorilla groups open for this unique experience. Each day, only 8 permits are available, with a maximum of 4 tourists per group, allowing for an intimate encounter with these magnificent creatures, alongside researchers.

If you dream of spending extended time with mountain gorillas, booking a Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari is the ideal option. Unlike standard gorilla trekking, this experience allows you to spend more time observing and interacting with these endangered primates deep within the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It’s a rare and remarkable opportunity, exclusive to Uganda, as the other two countries with remaining mountain gorillas, Rwanda and DR Congo, do not offer habituation experiences.

Luxury Lodges for Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi

• Four Gorillas Lodge
  Located in the lush Rushaga sector, Four Gorillas Lodge is a luxurious yet affordable retreat. With its stunning panoramic views of the forest canopy and serene atmosphere, this elegant lodge offers a peaceful escape for nature lovers and safari enthusiasts.
• Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
  Found in the Nkuringo sector, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge sits atop a ridge, offering breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcanoes and the mysterious Bwindi Forest below. It’s a remote and intimate lodge, perfect for those seeking privacy and an immersive wilderness experience.
• Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
  This luxury lodge is perched on the Nteko Ridge, offering sweeping views across the Kashasha River Valley to the lush hills of Bwindi. Guests can also enjoy stunning vistas of the Virunga Volcanoes and the Albertine Rift Valley. Its location is ideal for those trekking in the Nkuringo sector.
• Rushaga Gorilla Camp
  Just a 5-minute walk from the Rushaga sector park headquarters, Rushaga Gorilla Camp is a convenient and luxurious choice for gorilla habituation. The cottages provide beautiful views of the surrounding forest and local communities, creating a perfect blend of comfort and culture.
• Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
  Located on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge is a short 15-minute walk from the starting point of treks in the Rushaga sector. With free Wi-Fi, gorgeous garden and terrace views, and easy access to the forest, it’s an excellent base for your gorilla habituation experience.
• Lake Mutanda Resort
  Set on a peninsula in Lake Mutanda, this resort offers breathtaking views of the Virunga Mountains. It’s an ideal spot for not only gorilla tracking but also for those interested in hiking, bird watching, or simply relaxing by the lake.

Other notable luxury lodges include Gorilla Heights Lodge and Chameleon Hill Lodge. We can assist with booking any of these accommodations to ensure your stay is as unforgettable as the gorilla habituation experience itself.

What’s the Difference Between Gorilla Habituation and Gorilla Trekking?

Both Gorilla Habituation and Gorilla Trekking take place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, but the key difference lies in the time spent with the gorillas. During the Gorilla Habituation Experience, you’ll have the rare opportunity to spend 4 hours with the gorillas as they adjust to human presence, while traditional Gorilla Trekking allows for 1 hour with the gorillas once they’re located.

Additionally, Gorilla Habituation is done in smaller groups of 4 people, compared to 8 people for regular trekking. Permits for the Gorilla Habituation Experience cost USD 1,500 for foreign non-residents, USD 1,000 for residents, and UGX 750,000 for East African citizens. For standard Gorilla Trekking, permits cost USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens.

How to Book Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi

Booking a Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park requires securing your permit in advance. Once you’ve confirmed your travel dates, simply send us an email so we can check permit availability with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. If permits are available, we’ll notify you and send an invoice for payment. After receiving payment, we’ll immediately purchase your permits and send you a scanned copy for your records. This ensures your spot is confirmed for the Gorilla Habituation Experience.

Since only 8 permits are available daily (4 people per group, with two groups in total), it’s essential to book your experience at least 2-3 months in advance, as these permits sell out quickly on a first-come, first-served basis.

How Much Does Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi Cost?

The price of a Gorilla Habituation permit is the main cost of this experience, though additional services such as transport, accommodation, and guiding are necessary for a successful safari.

• Foreign Non-Residents: USD 1,500 per person per trek
• Foreign Residents: USD 1,000 per person per trek
• East African Citizens: UGX 750,000 per person per trek

This permit allows you to spend up to 4 hours with the mountain gorillas. For those interested in a complete safari experience, our 4-day Uganda Gorilla Habituation Tour starts from USD 1,272 per person. Contact us for bookings and more information.

Best Time to Do Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi

The best time for Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi is during the dry seasons, which run from June to October and December to March. These months offer favorable trekking conditions, with less rain and shorter vegetation, making it easier to spot and photograph the gorillas. However, the experience is available year-round.

During the wet months (April, May, and November), the vegetation becomes denser, which can obscure views, but trekking distances are often shorter as gorillas don’t move far for food. Regardless of the season, Bwindi offers a 99% chance of seeing mountain gorillas, as the experience is well-organized.

How to Get to Bwindi Forest National Park for Gorilla Habituation

By Road

Bwindi’s southern sector, where habituation experiences are held, is accessible from Kampala or Entebbe via an 8-9 hour drive. The route takes you through Kabale-Kisoro Road, turning off at Muko, where you’ll follow the Uganda Wildlife Authority signs to your lodge in either the Rushaga or Nkuringo sectors.

By Air

Alternatively, you can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield in Kampala to Kisoro Airstrip. From there, you’ll need a transfer to your lodge. Domestic flights are available from operators such as Aerolink and Fly Uganda.

Why Book Your Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi with Excursia Adventures?

Excursia Adventures specializes in creating unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda and Rwanda. Highly rated on TripAdvisor, we combine eco-friendly safaris with adventures that preserve biodiversity, conserve wildlife, and support local communities. In addition to gorilla habituation, we offer a range of safaris, including Big 5 game viewing, chimpanzee trekking, mountain hiking, boat cruises, and cultural encounters. We also cater to other top African safari destinations such as Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, and Namibia.

Feel free to reach out to us for the full cost and details of your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.