Gorilla Habituation Adventure in Bwindi

Gorilla Habituation Adventure in Bwindi: The fascinating process of educating gorillas to become accustomed to humans while they perform their daily tasks is known as “gorilla habituation.” To find these magnificent gorillas in their natural environment, tourists travel and trek through both the lowlands and the highlands of the jungle. Trekkers can spend four hours with the mountain gorillas after this activity. Over 459 mountain gorillas, or nearly half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, reside in the parkPermi in southwestern Uganda. Mountain gorilla encounters have grown to be one of the most visually striking and popular wildlife tourism attractions on an African safari in the last ten years.

Following a gorilla habituation adventure in Bwindi, every year, travelers from all over the world travel to Africa primarily to catch a sight of these gentle giants. Only four locations—Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park—are home to these gentle giants.

In Uganda, gorilla habituation only occurs in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Gorilla Park, which is situated in the park’s southern region.  Rushaga sector, which is in the southern part of Bwindi Gorilla Park, can be accessed from Rwanda via Kigali City, taking a 4-hour drive, or from Entebbe Airport, about a 9–10-hour drive. The way that this exceptional experience varies from traditional gorilla trekking is that visitors spend more time with the apes this way.

What is the cost of a gorilla habituation Permit?

The typical gorilla trekking excursion costs $800, while the gorilla habituation permits in Bwindi cost $1500 for non-foreign citizens. As a result, wildlife fans can experience a more immersive examination and study of these gorillas as they go about their daily lives.

Travellers are always allocated a semi-habituated area, meaning it’s not fully habituated or familiar to human presence. During this process, visitors are accompanied by rangers, conservationists, and researchers to spend over 4 hours training these gorillas to get used to humans. During this session, they at times make strange vocalizations because of being wild, and by doing so, they are getting trained gradually to get used to people. This exercise may take between two to three years for them to get used to man.

This habituation exercise is recommended for only four members accompanied by conservationists, researchers, and rangers. This number is regulated not to inconvenience these gentle giants in their natural setting, where by on seeing a big crowd of people, these gorillas may feel insecure within their natural habitat.

They eventually get to know particular members of this habituated gorilla family, about their behavioural conduct, and eventually their general characteristics due to frequent visits from conservationists, rangers, trackers, researchers, and rangers. Furthermore, the designated gorilla family is deemed suitable for trekking after these researchers and conservationists are confident of its completion. Journalists, scientists, researchers, and other stakeholders may take part in this fictitious visitation with this gorilla family. It is declared ready and open for gorilla trekking after passing the practice test.

Still, the gorilla habituation experience is very unique since it gives hikers a wonderful opportunity to spend a lot of time with these magnificent primates in their natural environment. This enables you to learn and study their social lifestyle, behaviour, and daily activities.  You will also have the opportunity to capture breathtaking images and movies for your records.

Almost all of the precautions, equipment, and permits for gorilla habituation and trekking are similar to those for regular gorilla trekking. These include long-sleeved shirts, long pants, a camera, a drinking water bottle, extra batteries, a water-proof jacket, hiking shoes, sun screen, mosquito repellent, porters, binoculars, a water-proof backpack, energy-boosting snacks, and many more.

Accommodation choices

The park offers accommodation options ranging from upscale, mid-range, and affordable choices such as Gorilla Valley Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, and Gorilla Havens. Burunga Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Nshongi Gorilla Lodge, among others.

Best time to do Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi

Because so many tourists visit Bwindi during the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to March, sometimes referred to as the high/peak season, there are fewer gorilla permits available because more time is spent with these gentle giants. Travellers are therefore encouraged to make reservations three to four months before their intended departure date. Furthermore, although permits are easily obtained during this season, there is a limited quantity of permits.

Conclusion

Furthermore, depending on your travel date, month, and year, it is recommended that you work with a licensed tour operator to customise your package to suit your preferences. Travellers should know that these are wild animals that roam freely and remain wild in nature as well.