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New Year’s Gorilla Habituation Experience
Looking for an extraordinary way to kick off the new year? A Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park offers a rare opportunity to spend extended time with the endangered mountain gorillas. Unlike standard gorilla trekking, this unique experience allows you to observe and participate in the habituation process, spending up to four hours with these incredible primates in their natural habitat.
How to Book Your New Year’s Gorilla Habituation Experience
Securing a gorilla habituation permit in advance is essential, as only a limited number of permits are available each day. Here’s how to book your experience:
- Confirm Your Travel Dates – Once you know when you plan to visit, contact us to check permit availability with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
- Reserve Your Permit – If permits are available for your chosen dates, we will send you an invoice for payment.
- Receive Your Confirmation – After payment is received, we will immediately secure your permit and provide a scanned copy for your records.
Due to the exclusivity of this experience—only eight permits are issued per day—it’s highly recommended to book at least 2-3 months in advance.
What is the Gorilla Habituation Experience?
The Gorilla Habituation Experience is a more immersive alternative to traditional gorilla trekking. You will join researchers and conservationists in tracking and spending four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family as they gradually become accustomed to human presence. This experience provides deeper insights into gorilla behavior and conservation efforts.
Where is the Gorilla Habituation Experience Offered?
This exclusive experience is only available in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, specifically in the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. While Bwindi has four sectors for gorilla trekking (Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo), only two gorilla families in Rushaga and Nkuringo are designated for habituation experiences.
Gorilla Habituation Experience vs. Gorilla Trekking
| Feature | Gorilla Habituation Experience | Gorilla Trekking |
|---|---|---|
| Time with Gorillas | 4 hours | 1 hour |
| Group Size | 4 people | 8 people |
| Permit Cost (Foreign Non-Residents) | $1,500 | $800 |
| Permit Cost (Foreign Residents) | $1,000 | $700 |
| Permit Cost (East African Citizens) | UGX 750,000 | UGX 300,000 |
How Much Does the New Year’s Gorilla Habituation Experience Cost?
The cost of a Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari in Uganda mainly depends on the gorilla habituation permit, along with other expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and guiding services.
- Gorilla Habituation Permit Prices:
- $1,500 – Foreign Non-Residents
- $1,000 – Foreign Residents
- UGX 750,000 – East African Citizens
This permit grants you a rare opportunity to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, offering an in-depth and immersive encounter.
In addition to the permit, you’ll need to budget for transport, accommodation, and guiding services. Our 4-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Safari starts from $1,272 per person. Get in touch with us to customize and book your trip.
Best Time to Go for the Gorilla Habituation Experience
The best time for the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda is during the dry seasons, from June to October and December to March. During this period:
- Rainfall is minimal, making trekking conditions easier.
- The forest vegetation is less dense, improving visibility for photography.
In contrast, the wet season (April, May, and November) sees heavier rains and taller vegetation, but it also offers advantages such as shorter treks, since gorillas don’t travel far to find food. Regardless of the season, gorilla sightings are 99% guaranteed year-round.
Where to Stay During Your Gorilla Habituation Experience
Since the Gorilla Habituation Experience takes place in the southern region of Bwindi (Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors), it’s best to stay in lodges within these areas. Accommodation options range from budget to luxury, ensuring choices for every traveler:
Budget Lodges ($90–$100 per night)
- Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
- Karungi Camp
- Nshongi Camp
Mid-Range Lodges ($150–$200 per night)
- Rushaga Gorilla Camp
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Luxury Lodges ($250–$700 per night)
- Four Gorillas Lodge
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
- Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Let us help you choose the best lodge based on your preferences and budget!
How to Get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
By Road
Bwindi’s southern sector is accessible via a 9-hour drive from Entebbe/Kampala. If driving, take the Kabale-Kisoro route and turn off at Muko, following the Uganda Wildlife Authority signposts leading to your booked lodge in Rushaga or Nkuringo.
By Air
For a quicker journey, you can take a domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip. From there, a short transfer (arranged by your tour operator) will take you to the park. Aerolink and Fly Uganda operate scheduled and charter flights to Kisoro.
Why Book Your Gorilla Habituation Experience with Excursia Adventures?
At Excursia Adventures, we organize authentic and unforgettable safari experiences in Uganda. Our passionate and experienced team ensures a seamless and personalized adventure, tailored to your interests.
We offer:
✅ Expertly planned Gorilla Habituation safaris
✅ Customizable Uganda safari packages
✅ Highly rated services on TripAdvisor
Let’s help you plan a New Year’s Gorilla Habituation Experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime! Contact us today to start planning your trip.
