What Time does Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi National Park Start and end?
The immersive gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park starts early in the morning by 6:30 am. The experience lasts up to four hours, giving visitors the chance to spend an extended period of time with the semi-habituated mountain gorillas as they go about their daily activities in the forest.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience involves hiking through the emerald forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of a semi-habituated mountain gorilla family and once you locate them, you will spend 4 hours with them as you watch scientists and researchers take part in activities geared to make these mountain gorillas used to human presence so that they can be open for gorilla trekking after a given period of time.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience gives you an opportunity to spend more hours with mountain gorillas, which is 4 hours compared to one hour during normal tracking.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience is always on high demand, given there are only 4 permits available per day and tracking is done in groups of only 4 people per day. So it is recommended that you book your permit at least 2–3 months in advance.
A gorilla habituation permit costs USD 1,500 per person per trek for Non-Foreign Residents, USD 1,000 for Foreign Residents and USD 200 for East African Citizens.
What’s the Difference Between Gorilla Trekking and the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi?
The major difference between gorilla trekking and the gorilla habituation experience is the time you get to spend with the gorillas. On a gorilla trekking experience, you spend one hour with the gorillas, whilst on a gorilla habituation experience, you spend 4 hours.
Other differences are the number of people and the kind of gorillas visited.
- Gorilla families trekked on gorilla trekking are fully habituated, while for the gorilla habituation experience, a semi-habituated gorilla family is trekked.
- Gorilla trekking is done in groups of 8 people per trek, while gorilla habituation is done in groups of 4 people.
- Gorilla trekking is done in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, while the gorilla habituation experience is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the Rushaga Sector.
What is the best time to go on the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
The best time to go on a gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is during the drier months of January, February, and June to early September. Due to the sun, the trails running through the park are relatively dry making navigation easy, and give a clear view of the gorillas given the vegetation cover is thin.
What to pack for Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi?
As you plan a gorilla habituation experience in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will need comfortable gear. Conditions are generally very muddy, as it rains almost every day. There are uphill sections that may be quite steep and strenuous; also, it is advisable to wear a long-sleeved cotton shirt and lightweight long trousers to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles and biting ants.
Here is what to pack
- Insect Repellent
- Torch/Flashlight and spare batteries
- Wet wipes
- Water bottle
- Camera, lenses, etc.
- Comfortable walking/hiking boots and socks
- Gardening gloves for gorilla tracking
- Sandals/straps/walking shoes
- Hat and sunscreen
- Rain jacket
- Swimwear
- Binoculars
How hard and challenging is the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Gorilla habituation experience is very strenuous due to the uneven terrain of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; also, the gorillas are always on the move, which makes a hike to see them either short or longer. It is good to be prepared and remember the weather can change with very little warning.
The terrain is often steep and through areas where there are no marked paths. It can be very strenuous; it may be just a couple of hours but it can also be for a full day of up to 8 hours or more of hiking in hot, high-altitude conditions; therefore, please be prepared for this by being as fit as possible.
Where to stay on a Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
The Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is done in the southern part of the park, which is Rushaga. Accommodations in Rushaga Sector include
- Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Gorilla Valley Lodge
- Karungi Camp
- Four Gorilla Lodge
- Rushaga Gorilla Camp
- Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge.
How to get to Bwindi Forest
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed by road and air
By Road
From Kampala to the Rushaga Sector of Bwindi National Park, it is a drive of approximately 8 to 9 hours. The sector is accessed using the road turning off at Muko along the Kabale–Kisoro Highway.
By Air
Domestic flights are available from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip; the flight duration is about 1 hour. Flights to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are operated by AeroLink and SafariLink.
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