
Gorilla Habituation Permits
Are you looking for gorilla habituation permits in Uganda? Gorilla habituation can only be done in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park located in the southwestern part of Uganda; the activity can only be done in the Rushaga sector located in the southern part of the park. Gorilla habituation was introduced in Uganda at the beginning of 2014 and this has given tourists an opportunity of being with these giant apes for 4 hours, unlike gorilla trekking that takes only 1 hour.
Gorilla habituation is the process of training mountain gorillas to get used to human presence, the process always takes about 2-3 years and involves researchers, scientists, rangers, and conservations visiting a gorilla family daily before tourists can begin trekking.
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park consists of 4 regions that are Ruhija sector, Nkuringo sector, Buhoma sector, and Rushaga sector. Gorilla habituation can be done from the Rushaga sector of the park where two gorilla families are in the habituation process.
The challenge of gorilla habituation sometimes is that the mountains gorillas can easily behave in an unlikely manner because they are not used to human presence, rangers and researchers keep observing each individual in the group daily and later a name is given according to behave to behaviors and personality of each individual in the group daily and later a name is given according to o the behaviors and personality of each of them.
After habituation, the mountain gorillas undergo a mocking exercise and if they pass then they are opened for trekking by tourists, the mocking exercise involves researchers and rangers being joined by some other people to trek these giant apes. the mountain gorilla families being habituated in Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest are Bishaho gorilla family and Bikingi gorilla family.
Price of Gorilla Habituation Permits Uganda
As of today, the gorilla habituation permits in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park cost $1500 per person per trek. The permit allows you to have a maximum of 4 hours with endangered mountain gorillas, unlike gorilla trekking which allows you to stay with gorillas for only 1 hour.
What to pack for gorilla habituation?
Mountain gorillas live on high elevations of tropical and sub-tropical forests therefore tourists need to be physically fit to complete the trek or gorilla habituation. Tourists should come prepared with good waterproof hiking boots, sunscreen, a light backpack, garden gloves, a lot of drinking water, energy-giving snacks, long-sleeved clothes, good quality camera and extra batteries, insect repellents, and so much.
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park has got four sectors which are Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga where gorilla habituation is only done therefore you should book accommodation facilities in the Rushaga sector when you are going for gorilla habituation. Rushaga gorilla lodge, Nshongi Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, and many others.
Best time for gorilla habituation
The best time for gorilla habituation in Uganda is the traditional dry months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. During these months, there is less rainfall or no rainfall that is likely to interrupt your whole day gorilla habituation experience. The trails are less slippery and muddy enabling you to move without any difficulty. The roads leading to the park are also accessible, unlike in the rainy months.