Difference Between Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Habituation Experiences
What is the difference between ordinary Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Habituation Experience? The major differences between ordinary gorilla Trekking and Gorilla habituation experience are the cost of the permit and time spent with the Gorillas. An ordinary Gorilla Trekking Permit costs 800USD for Foreigners and 700USD for foreign residents while a gorilla habituation experience permit costs 1500USD for Foreigners and 1000USD for Foreign Residents.
An ordinary gorilla trek lasts for 2 to 6 hours and visitors have 1 hour to spend face-to-face in the presence of a habituated gorilla group While a Gorilla habituation experience lasts a whole full day with a guarantee of 4 hours for close encounter.
In this article, we bring you a detailed comparison between Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Habituation Experiences.
Where to go for gorilla trekking & habituation?
Gorilla trekking to see mountain gorillas is done across the four Gorilla safari Destinations where these apes only live. That is Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, Virunga National Park Congo, Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Gorilla habituation experience in Africa is conducted only in one park –Bwindi National Park in Southwestern Uganda.
Gorilla families to visit
During gorilla trekking in Uganda, tourists can visit anyone of the 21 habituated gorilla groups -20 families in Bwindi and only one in Mgahinga NP. Habituation is enjoyable in only one region and one group in Rushaga sector, Southern gorilla safari region in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park.
Length of the activity
A normal gorilla trek lasts for 2 to 6 hours and visitors have 1 hour to spend face-to-face in the presence of a habituated gorilla group. Gorilla habituation is process of making semi-habituated gorilla groups get used to human presence and day activity involves following gorillas for full day or half day with guarantee of 4 hours for close encounter.
Actual day visit of gorillas
On actual day gorilla trek, a group of tourists can be led by an experienced park ranger guide in Bwindi Impenetrable N/P or respective park you visit for gorilla trekking. Habituation experience is done by researchers, scientists, environmentalists, trackers, doctors and the idea is to take note of daily behavior of mountain gorillas.
Gorilla Permits and Their Rates
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are open for reservation at USD 800 per person –foreign nonresidents, USD700 foreign residents and shs.300,000 East African citizens –Ugandans inclusive. Gorilla habituation experience permits for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest are obtainable at USD 1500 –(all foreign nonresidents), USD 1000 for foreign residents and Ugandans plus the rest of East African citizens pay shs. 750,000 per person.
About gorillas in Uganda
Uganda is a complete gorilla safari destination with multiple habituated gorilla groups, inhabiting over half of all the world’s 1063 mountain gorillas. In Uganda, only mountain gorillas live here and they survive in 2 parks: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest N/Park. There are five regions/sectors where tourists can track and explore about Uganda’s mountain gorillas and include Rushaga, Ruhija, Buhoma and Nkuringo sectors in Bwindi NP; Ntebeko for tourists visiting Mgahinga National Park.
When best to visit Uganda for gorilla tours?
Uganda is an all year round gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation destination, thanks to its ideal weather conditions. However, two dry seasons are the best for visitors to have the most of the gorilla trek or habituation. The first and longest dry spell starts from June, July, August to September and the second phase begins from December, January to February.
The remaining months of the year are wetter/rainy months/low season. They start from March, April, May and October to November of every year.
What to carry for gorilla trip in Uganda
Among the many important things to consider packing for your gorilla trip include waterproof hiking boots, camera with extra batteries, light but waterproof daypack, long sleeved shirt, rain coat/jacket, trousers, safari hat, energy giving snacks, enough bottled water, and others.
Accommodation options
The available gorilla safari lodges in Uganda include budget, midrange/standard and luxury. Top lodges to book for overnight stay on Gorilla Safari Discovery include Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Silverback Lodge, Ruhija Safari Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge and more.
How to reach there
All the two gorilla tour parks (Bwindi & Mgahinga) in Uganda are found in the far Southwestern part of the country. Getting to the two parks to see mountain gorillas is possible on road or air. Driving time is estimated to last for about 9-10 hours but there are many other sites to be visited en route and include the Equator crossing. By air, fly from Entebbe airport to Kihihi airstrip (perfect for connecting to Bwindi) or Kisoro airstrip for visitors heading to Mgahinga NP.
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