Gorilla Habituation Safari in Bwindi Gorilla Park
Gorilla habituation safari in Bwindi Gorilla Park: In addition to gorilla trekking, one of the most breathtaking and immersive experiences is gorilla habituation, in which mountain gorillas are tamed and acclimatised to people for scientific and conservation reasons. The goal of a gorilla habituation safari is to enable people to spend more time—about four hours—with the semi-habituated mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Globally, Bwindi gorilla park is a top destination for mountain gorillas, with over half of the world’s gorilla population.
The renowned African destination where mountain gorilla habituation can be conducted with only two designated gorilla families from Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors is Bwindi Gorilla Park, which is situated in southwestern Uganda and is bordered by the districts of Kanungu, Kisoro, Rubanda, and Rukiga. Gorilla habituation in the whole world can be done in only one destination, which is Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. The number of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park does increase each year, and this has led to an increase in the number of mountain gorilla families.
It takes two to three years for the members of a mountain gorilla family to undergo a habituation process before they are completely acclimated. Tourists might visit Bwindi for habituation activities since it appears that one mountain gorilla family is going through habituation. Only four persons per day are permitted to see the Bikingi gorilla family in the Rushaga area, which is the only family in Bwindi that is open for trekking.
Gorilla habituation safari in Bwindi gorilla park
The gorilla habituation experience is only famous in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Before the habituation exercise starts, travellers are briefed about the protocols and safety guidelines upon arrival at Rushaga headquarters in the morning, where rangers brief them about the rules and regulations of the activity. Following the briefing, up to four trekkers take part in habituation under the direction of a group of researchers, medical experts, and armed ranger guides. From the briefing places, tourists are driven to the starting points, where they venture into the jungle in search of possible mountain gorilla habitats. The mountain gorilla search can take anywhere from 2-3 days, depending on the group’s location, the kind of trails, and the trekkers’ speed.
When trekkers find members of the semi-habituated mountain gorilla family, they are allowed to spend up to four hours with them. They do engage in activities at this period that help the mountain gorillas become accustomed to having people around. There are opportunities for trekkers to film and snap photos of mountain gorillas. Additionally, trekkers can learn about the gorillas’ routines from this location.
Following the completion of gorilla habituation, trekkers leave the bush and let the mountain gorillas carry on with their regular routines. Trekkers can encounter a variety of park features as they emerge from the rainforest, including water sources, greenery, animals, and birds, to name a few.
What is the cost of a gorilla habituation permit?
A gorilla habituation permit is required for visitors to undertake a gorilla habituation safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This information comes from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a government organisation in charge of overseeing all park operations. Tourists who wish to visit the park can only obtain gorilla habituation permits from authorised tour operators.
Non-foreign residents must pay $1500 for mountain gorilla habituation licenses, $1000 for foreign residents, while East African citizens must pay UGX750,000. Because Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park only issues four gorilla habituation permits each day, visitors must reserve their permits three to four months in preparation, or possibly more, in advance.
Accessing Rushaga for gorilla habituation
Road and air transport are the two ways to get to the Rushaga sector in the southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Travellers can reach the park most quickly by air because flights take around two hours, and driving to the lodges takes around an hour. Alternatively, travellers from Entebbe can also reach the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park by road.
The road trip to the lodge in the Rushaga area of the park takes nine to ten hours, but it is cheaper compared to flights. The park is accessible to visitors from Entebbe via Kampala, Mpigi, Masaka, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kabale, and Kisoro.
The most appropriate time to have a gorilla habituation safari in Bwindi Gorilla Park
Although gorilla habituation safaris in Bwindi Gorilla Park are possible throughout the year, some months are better than others. The optimum seasons for travellers to go on habituation safaris are June through September and December through February, which are the dry season months. This is because the months are marked by pleasant weather, with lots of sunshine and little precipitation.
Trekkers’ mobility is facilitated when they seek out the semi-habituated family during the dry season since the hiking paths are dry and simpler to traverse. Tourists can clearly see the park’s attractions, especially the mountain gorillas, because of the park’s often sparse and short foliage.
Trekkers eventually have access to clear photos and high-quality videos. The rainy season, which impacts low-budget tourists and people who dislike crowds, is nevertheless a good time to go gorilla habituation activities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Lodges lower their costs during the off-peak months in an effort to draw in a few park visitors. Nonetheless, people planning to visit should be aware that there is little sunshine and a lot of rain.
The muddy and slick trekking pathways in the park during the rainy season hinder hikers’ ability to move around in pursuit of the family of semi-habituated mountain gorillas. The forest grows quickly, and when it gets tall, the hikers cannot see the mountain gorillas clearly. It becomes challenging to take pictures and capture recordings when the mountain gorillas are hidden in the foliage.
Accommodation options in Bwindi during gorilla habituation safari
Visitors who plan to visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in order to observe mountain gorilla habituation should be aware that this activity is only possible in the Rushaga sector, which is located in the park’s southern section. This implies that the Rushaga area should be the centre of accommodation choices to be reserved. Accommodation choices include Bweza Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Havens Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, and Gorilla Leisure, just a handful of the lodges.