The Ideal time for Bwindi Gorilla Habituation Experience
The ideal time for Bwindi gorilla habituation experience: Gorilla habituation is one of the most exciting tourist activities found in only Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and it allows trekkers to encounter mountain gorillas for around 4 hours. Bwindi Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda, and apparently, it harbors about 21 mountain gorilla families, and 2 of these are open for habituation exercises. Mountain gorilla habituation in Bwindi Gorilla Park was started by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to enable tourists around mountain gorillas and how they can be taught how to get used to human presence.
It was not until American primatologist Dian Fossey initiated the habituation process in Rwanda that mountain gorillas were recognised as dangerous wild creatures. Through a process known as “habituation,” a team of hikers, scientists, and environmentalists gradually acclimatise mountain gorillas to the human environment.
The ideal time for Bwindi gorilla habituation experience in Uganda
Mountain gorilla habituation is done all year round in Bwindi Gorilla National Park. Uganda has 2 dry seasons and 2 wet seasons
The dry season
Following the ideal time for the Bwindi gorilla habituation experience, the two dry seasons, which run from June to September and December to February, are the ideal times of year for gorilla habituation safaris in Bwindi Gorilla Park. There is little to no rainfall throughout the two dry seasons, which makes the roads leading into the park usable. The trekking pathways are less slick and dry during the dry season; therefore, there is little impact on hikers’ speed. Finally, there is less fog and dry vegetation along the paths, which allows for great photographs of mountain gorillas. The foliage is also short and not overly dense, allowing for clear views of the park’s wildlife.
The wet season
Due to the tropical jungle that makes up Bwindi Gorilla Park, rainy days are possible at any time. There are two rainy seasons in the park: March through May and October through November. Due to the heavy rainfall that occurs during the rainy season, the hiking pathways become muddy and slick, which slows down hikers’ pace. The roads leading to the park are not in good shape, the fog is excessive, making photography difficult, and the forest is dense, making it difficult to see the mountain gorillas.
Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi
Two mountain gorilla families in Bwindi Gorilla Park are presently experiencing habituation: the Bushaho and Biking families. Gorilla habituation permits trekkers to spend four hours with mountain gorillas, as opposed to one hour during gorilla trekking. The activity limits the number of trekkers to four, who are accompanied by conservationists, researchers, and armed ranger guides.
In Bwindi, gorilla habituation begins early in the morning in the sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo. Before trekkers enter the jungle, park wardens inform them of the guidelines for the gorilla habituation activity. Only individuals over the age of 15 are eligible to participate in the gorilla habituation exercise.
Trekkers can encounter some of the park’s monkeys, animals, and birds while searching for the semi-habituated family, which can take two to seven hours. According to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, counting begins four hours after the mountain gorillas are observed. Trekkers can see these apes going about their everyday lives, learn about their behaviours, take pictures, converse with them, help them become accustomed to human presence, and participate in naming if any. To help the mountain gorillas become accustomed to the human presence around them, the habituation exercise is conducted for two to three hours.
Those with gorilla habituation permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority are the ones who do gorilla habituation. People over 15 years old can purchase gorilla habituation permits, which cost $1500 for foreign non-residents, $1000 for foreign residents, and UGX750,000 for East African citizens. Permits must be reserved three to four months in advance for visitors hoping to visit the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors for gorilla habituation.
Packing list for gorilla habituation in Bwindi
To enjoy the greatest safari possible, visitors planning to go to Bwindi for gorilla habituation must be well-prepared with a variety of necessities. A camera, binoculars, a hat, sunglasses, energy-boosting snacks, a drinking water bottle, a facemask, sanitiser, insect repellents, cotton stocks, waterproof hiking shoes, a pair of gaiters, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, a rain jacket, a scarf, a light backpack, and other essentials are necessary for an incredible gorilla habituation experience at Bwindi Gorilla Park.
How to access Bwindi gorilla park
Travellers can reach Bwindi Gorilla Park in several ways. By plane or vehicle, visitors can reach Bwindi Gorilla Park in two hours or nine to ten hours, respectively. From Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airport, luxury travellers can take chartered flights to Kisoro Airport, where they will connect to the park via ground transportation.
Road transportation is an option for those who are OK with long travel times to go to Bwindi for gorilla habitation from Kampala or Kigali. Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale-Kisoro is an option for travellers from Kampala. The Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors are accessible via Kisoro. Via the Cyanika border in Kisoro or the Katuna border in Kabale, visitors from Kigali can reach Bwindi for gorilla habituation.
Where to stay during gorilla habituation in Bwindi
Only the Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors of Bwindi Gorilla Park are used for gorilla habituation, and these areas offer a large number of lodging options for visitors. These sectors provide a variety of lodging options with varying costs and amenities, ranging from low-cost to mid-range to luxury options.
Accommodation choices in Rushaga sector
Accommodation facilities in the Rushaga sector include Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, Nsongi Camp, and Four Gorillas Lodge, among others.
Other accommodation facilities in the Nkuringo sector
Mutanda Eco Community Centre, Nshongi Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Virunga Campsite, Lake Mulehe Gorilla, among others.