One would be wrong if they talk about gorilla safari experiences in Uganda and they fail to talk about gorilla habituation. It is a one of a kind adventure where visitors get to spend more time with the gorillas alongside researchers and rangers to intensively discover the secrets of these human-like creatures. It is a moment of penetrating into the forests and search for semi-habituated gorilla family with an intension of making them get used to human presence.
Visitors are allowed to spend four hours in the presence of these gorillas as they watch them play, mate, feed and make life. It is an opportunity to take pictures of these human-like apes thus turning moments into memories.
Where does Gorilla Habituation Experience take place?
In Uganda, gorilla habituation was established in the year 2015 and currently happens only in Rushaga sector, south east of the famous Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
At the moment, only two gorilla families are open to visitors for habituation and these are; Bikingi and Kutu found in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park.
How much is a gorilla Habituation permit in Uganda?
Gorilla habituation permits in Uganda go for 1,500$ (foreign non-residents), 1,000$ (foreign residents) and UGX 750,000 (Ugandans and other nationals of the East African Community).
Permits can be acquired from either Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or through your trusted licensed tour operator; the latter option is the most recommended way. It is advisable that you book as early as five months before making your way to the park in order to avoid last-minute inconveniences and traffic since only four people are allowed to habituate a group of gorillas at ago.
Where to stay during the gorilla habituation experience in Uganda?
Accommodation facilities to use during your gorilla habituation experience should never be a worry as long as you are visiting Uganda and Bwindi Impenetrable national park in particular. A number of accommodation points are plenty and these range from Budget, midrange and luxury. It is your wallet and love that drive your choices of accommodation.
Some of the accommodation properties include but not limited to the following; Gorilla safari lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla camp, Clouds Mountain Lodge, Rushaga gorilla Camp and Chameleon Hill lodge.
What is the Best time to do gorilla habituation in Uganda?
Gorilla habituation experience at Bwindi Impenetrable national park is an all-year-round activity, however, the dry months of June, July, August and September and December, January and February are the better months since the trails are dry and skies are blue which makes habituation easy and photography the best.
What is required to have the best gorilla Habituation experience in Uganda?
For you to have an uninterrupted gorilla habituation experience at Bwindi Impenetrable national park you ought to have the following equipment;
- A good camera with spare batteries and waterproof covering.
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Binoculars for spotting other beautiful creatures of the jungle such as birds
- A light weight backpack from where you can put your packed lunch, water bottle, snacks, insect repellant and other small essential stuff.
- Hiking boots which are waterproof in nature and warm stockings. These will protect you from getting blisters
- Ensure to wear long-sleeved shirts, trousers and waterproof jackets to protect you from insect bites and bad weather.
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable national park for gorilla habituation Experience?
Bwindi Impenetrable national Park is located in south-western region of Uganda and its access can be by either air or road depending on choice and budget of the visitors.
By air; having reached Entebbe airport, you can choose to get a domestic flight from Kajjansi airfield that connects to Bwindi Impenetrable national park, through Kisoro or Kihiihi airstrips. Flights can as well be booked as early as possible to avoid inconveniences.
Alternatively, you can as well get a chartered flight to any of these airstrips. It will take you a maximum of two hours to have made it to the park.
By road; it takes 9-10 hours to drive from Entebbe/Kampala to Bwindi impenetrable national park. Much as travelling by road may seem to be tiresome and long, it introduces you to a multitude secrets of Uganda – the pearl of Africa. You get a chance to view the beautiful scenery and landscape that makes you develop a better impression about the country in a blink of an eye.
