About Gorilla habituation in Uganda

Through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Gorilla habituation experience was introduced in Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park to all visitors that are interested in this wonderful adventure. Gorilla habituation experience was launched on 1^st January 2014 and UWA charges 1500 USD per person per experience and this differs from the gorilla trekking experience. It important to not Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is ranked as the best destination in Africa for outstanding gorilla safaris due the fact that it hosts almost half of the remaining endangered Mountain gorilla population in the World.

The park has been bisected into four sectors which harbor the 19 habituated gorilla families found in Bwindi forest such as, Rushaga sector, Buhoma sector, Nkuringo sector and Ruhiji sector. With the Authority from UWA, about two families that are situated in Rushaga sector have been selected and made available for the gorilla habituation experience in the misty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Unlike Gorilla Trekking where you are allowed to spend one hour with the gorilla family enjoying photography and observation, gorilla habituation experience allows you to spend about four hours with gorilla family from the time you locate it. Gorilla habituation exercise allows a maximum of four people that join trekking with the researchers, trekkers and park ranger guides.

Besides the limited number of people allowed to join the habituation process, it is important to note that the exercise takes you to semi habituated gorillas that have not been opened for gorilla trekking experience. Gorilla Habituation Experience is the process of training the wild Mountain Gorillas get used to the presence of Human beings in their natural environment before they are made available for gorilla trekking. The habituation process is not a one day endeavor, it can take about two to three years for the process to get complete. Although in the due time, researchers keep on making constant visits to the wild gorilla family and the process involves naming the new born baby gorillas.

Once the researchers are sure that the gorilla family can be trekked, they introduce a mock exercise which lasts for about 6 to 8 months and a few people are involved such as; the researchers, journalists and scientists to participate in the mock activity. After the gorillas have passed the monkey exercise then it is made available for tourism.

The two gorilla families that have been set available for gorilla habituation are found in Nkuringo and Rushaga sector which is one of the reasons why gorilla habituation is only done in the southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park. Mubare was the first gorilla family to be habituated for tourism in 1993 and later about two families from Buhoma sector among others kept on following. On this note before a gorilla family is made available for gorilla trekking, it has to go through the gorilla habituation process.

For travelers interested in enjoying gorilla habituation experience, we advise that you make an early booking at least 6 months before travel since few people are allowed to participate in the exercise. Book with Jeisking Tours Ltd your gorilla habituation experience, we can assist you to book the habituation permit and organize the entire safari trip depending on your budget. Feel free to contact our professional reservation team by sending an inquiry at info@gorillaugandasafaribookings.com or call us directly on +256-775630809 or +256-701343598  to speak directly to our reservations team.