Gorilla habituation permits are a must-have if you plan to undertake mountain gorilla habituation experience in Uganda. This is a newly introduced tourism activity in Uganda holidaymakers can participate in while in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It was introduced by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in 2014 and it is only done in Rushaga gorilla region in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Southwestern Uganda.
Gorilla habituation permits for Foreign Non-Residents (FNR) cost USD 1500, Foreign Residents (FR) – USD 1000 and East Africa Community citizens (EAC) Uganda shillings 750,000 per person. The cost of each gorilla habituation permit covers park entrance fees for one day and community development contribution, guide service fees and briefing.
How to book gorilla habituation permits in Uganda?
There are 2 options for visitors to book gorilla habituation permits in Uganda; through a recognized tour operator or directly via the reservation team at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The process for booking gorilla habituation permits requires visitors to provide their details including names, dates on which they plan to go participate in gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi National Park, passport details, etc. The reservation team then cross check if there are available gorilla habituation permits and will then go ahead to book in case of any availability. Your gorilla habituation permit will be reserved and issued after you have made payments.
When to book gorilla habituation permits in Uganda?
Gorilla habituation permits in Uganda can be booked anytime of the year but it is advisable that you do it earlier to avoid last minute booking that at times comes with disappointments. Preferably, you can have your Uganda gorilla habituation permit booked at least 3-6 months earlier before the actual date of traveling to undertake gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
What is gorilla habituation?
Gorilla habituation experience has no actual definition but it is generally an act of training or making wild gorillas familiar to the presence of people. It involves following them for a full day and this is usually done by trackers, conservationists, researchers, rangers, scientists and the habituation process takes 2-3 years though some gorilla families take shorter time and they can be ready for gorilla trekking. A fully habituated gorilla group family is then opened for gorilla tourism.
Where is gorilla habituation conducted?
Gorilla habituation experience is conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and only in Rushaga sector in Southern side of the Park. Bwindi is one of the 10 Uganda National Parks, located in Southwestern part of the country.
The park inhabits over 459 mountain gorillas out of the 1063 that still survive worldwide and some of the families designated for habituation experience include Bikingi and Kutu.
On gorilla habituation experience, each gorilla group family is assigned to only 4 visitors unlike normal gorilla trekking experience which takes 8 tourists per habituated gorilla group. Visitors enjoy 4 hours face to face with mountain gorillas upon locating them in the wild, explore more about their behaviors, take photos and give names, etc.
When is the best time to go for gorilla habituation in Uganda?
June, July, August to September and December, January to February are the best months of the year if you plan to participate in gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Visiting Bwindi National Park during these drier months lets you enjoy your gorilla habituation adventure since these the months when there is low rainfall received and the ground remains relatively drier, vegetation isn’t dense etc.
What to carry/essential requirements to have for gorilla habituation
The essentials to have for your gorilla habituation include a poncho/rain jacket, sturdy hiking boots, long sleeved shirts, packed lunch or snacks, bottled water (enough), insect repellents, walking stick, a good camera without flashlight, gardening gloves, first aid kit, sunglasses and others.
Gorilla habituation rules & regulations.
- Maintain a distance of 8-10m off from mountain gorillas.
- Observe the park guide’s instructions.
- Use of flash camera is highly prohibited.
- Don’t go for habituation if you are sick or ill.
- Always keep within your group that you left with for habituation adventure.
Accommodation.
The main accommodation facilities to consider spending a night at while on gorilla habituation are available, ranging from budget, midrange and luxury. They include Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge and Gorilla Havens lodge.
