Gorilla Trekking Permit Booking Guide 2025-2026
October 29, 2024
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi from Fort Portal Town
October 29, 2024
Gorilla Habituation Permits Booking 2025 – 2026: Plan Your Unforgettable Adventure
If you’re eager to spend extended time with mountain gorillas, booking a Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the perfect choice. Unlike a regular gorilla trek, the habituation experience allows you to join researchers in the forest for up to four hours, observing and even participating in activities that help these gorillas become accustomed to human presence. This rare experience is exclusively available in Uganda, making it a must for wildlife enthusiasts visiting Africa.
Why Book Your Gorilla Habituation Safari with Excursia Adventures?
At Excursia Adventures, we specialize in organizing memorable Gorilla Habituation safaris. We offer a range of packages, from budget-friendly to luxury options, all customizable to fit your preferences. Choose from our popular itineraries, like the 3-Day Bwindi Gorilla Habituation Trip, 6-Day Gorillas and Wildlife Safari, 7-Day Uganda Gorillas and Wildlife Tour, or even our comprehensive 25-Day Birds and Gorillas in Ugandan Forests package. Reach out to us, and we’ll handle all the details, ensuring a seamless booking experience.
What is the Gorilla Habituation Experience?
The Gorilla Habituation Experience offers a rare opportunity to trek through the forest, searching for semi-habituated gorilla families who are still getting used to human presence. Once located, you’ll spend four hours observing and learning about their behaviors and social dynamics—a significantly longer encounter than the typical one-hour gorilla trek. This exclusive experience is limited to small groups of just four visitors, enhancing the intimacy of the adventure.
Where is the Gorilla Habituation Experience Held?
The Gorilla Habituation Experience is only available in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, specifically in the park’s southern sectors: Rushaga and Nkuringo. Bwindi is divided into four primary trekking sectors—Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo—but only Rushaga and Nkuringo offer the habituation experience. Out of Bwindi’s 12 habituated gorilla families, two are designated exclusively for this special activity.
Gorilla Habituation vs. Gorilla Trekking: Key Differences
Both activities are held in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, but the habituation experience allows you to spend four hours with the gorillas, while a standard gorilla trek provides one hour. Additionally, habituation groups are limited to four people, whereas regular trekking groups allow up to eight participants. Permit prices also vary: a gorilla habituation permit costs USD $1,500 for foreign non-residents, USD $1,000 for residents, and 750,000 UGX for East African citizens. Regular trekking permits are priced at USD $800 for foreign non-residents, USD $700 for residents, and 300,000 UGX for East African citizens.
How to Book a Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda
To secure your place, it’s essential to book your gorilla habituation permit well in advance. Once you’ve selected your travel dates, email us to check permit availability with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Upon confirmation, we’ll send you an invoice for permit payment. After payment is processed, we’ll purchase your permits and provide a scanned copy for your records, confirming your booking for this unforgettable experience.
Given the high demand and limited availability—just eight permits daily across two groups—it’s best to secure your permits 2-3 months before your planned visit. This way, you won’t miss out on the chance to join this exclusive adventure on a first-come, first-served basis.
How Much Does a Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari Cost?
The cost of a Gorilla Habituation Safari in Uganda primarily hinges on the price of the gorilla habituation permit, complemented by expenses for accommodation, transport, and guiding services. As of 2025, the permit prices are as follows:
- USD $1,500 for foreign non-residents
- USD $1,000 for foreign residents
- USD $70 (750,000 UGX) for East African citizens
This permit grants a unique four-hour encounter with mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. For an all-inclusive experience, our 4-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Safari starts at USD $1,372 per person. Contact us to arrange and secure your permits and itinerary for an unforgettable gorilla encounter.
When to Book Your Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari
The best time to enjoy a Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda is during the dry seasons from June to October and December to March. During these months, the trails are more accessible, and the forest’s lighter vegetation allows for clearer views and excellent photography. In contrast, the wet season—April, May, and November—offers shorter treks since gorillas stay closer to food sources, though denser vegetation can slightly impact visibility. However, the habituation experience runs year-round, with a 99% chance of sighting mountain gorillas on any trek.
Where to Stay for Your Gorilla Habituation Safari in Bwindi
Accommodation for the Gorilla Habituation Experience is best arranged in Bwindi’s southern sectors, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Options range from budget to luxury:
- Budget Options: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Karungi Camp, and Nshongi Camp offer stays from USD $90-100 per person per night.
- Mid-Range Options: Rushaga Gorilla Camp and Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge provide mid-tier comfort at USD $150-200 per person per night.
- Luxury Options: For a more premium experience, choose from Clouds Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, or Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, with rates from USD $250-700 per person per night.
Getting to Bwindi for the Gorilla Habituation Experience
By Road: The southern sector of Bwindi is accessible by road, with an 8-9 hour drive from Kampala or Entebbe. The route includes a turn-off at Muko along the Kabale-Kisoro road, where signs for the Uganda Wildlife Authority will guide you to lodges in Rushaga or Nkuringo.
By Air: For a quicker trip, fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield near Kampala to the Kisoro Airstrip, which serves the southern sectors. Domestic flights are available with AeroLink and Fly Uganda. Once you arrive, arrange a transfer with your tour operator to reach your accommodation.
Why Book Your Gorilla Habituation Experience with Excursia Adventures?
At Excursia Adventures, we prioritize your safety, enjoyment, and the well-being of the communities and wildlife areas we visit. Our eco-friendly approach embraces sustainable travel—“Take Nothing but Photographs, Leave Only Footprints.” Post-COVID, we maintain stringent health and safety protocols to protect our clients and partners, ensuring a safe, memorable safari experience. From permit bookings to personalized itinerary planning, we are dedicated to creating the ideal gorilla habituation adventure for you.
