Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi

Are you interested in gorilla habituation experience but have limited time? Are you flying to Rwanda and wondering whether you can do a gorilla habituation experience in Uganda within the shortest time possible? YES, you can possibly do a gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. Gorilla Trek Africa tailor makes for you a perfect 1 day gorilla habituation experience giving you the chance to spend ample time with the endangered gorillas within the shortest time possible.

How to do a 1-day gorilla habituation experience in Uganda
On this day, you leave Kigali as early as 3:30 am to reach Bwindi in time. Your driver-guide/our company representative will pick you up from your Kigali international airport or your hotel in Kigali and drive through Kigali crossing to Uganda. You will cross through the Cyanika border in Kisoro district, which easily connects to the Rushaga sector, the center for gorilla habituation experience. The drive time from Kigali to Bwindi takes roughly 4-5 hours and hence you will reach Bwindi at 7:00 am.

Gather at Rushaga park headquarters for briefing, get your porters and hiking sticks and at exactly 8:00 am, start off the hike to meet the gentle giants. Hiking time may take a short or long time depending on where gorillas will be located that day. The time to spend with gorillas in the habituation experience is strictly 4 hours counted from the time you meet gorillas. The hiking time is not counted among the 4 hours. Enjoy this extended time with a wild gorilla family, imitate their behaviors, walk after them, take pictures, capture videos and have fun. After the four hours of interaction, you will hike down, meet your driver-guide and drive back to Kigali to catch up with your connecting flight.

How much is the gorilla habituation experience and how to book?
A single permit to habituate mountain gorillas costs $1500 allowing you to send hour hours with gorillas. Permits can be book direct with Uganda Wildlife Authority, a government boy responsible for gorilla trekking and wildlife conservation in Uganda. Alternatively, Gorilla Trek Africa books and arranges tailored gorilla habituation safaris to Bwindi Forest at affordable prices. Booking with Gorilla Trek Africa saves you time and hustles of dealing directly with UWA, which at times becomes hectic.

When to book for a gorilla habituation experience?
Due to high demand and limited gorilla permit availability, travelers are advised to book for permits as early as 6 months in advance to grab this chance. Gorilla safaris are the most done wildlife adventures in Africa that causes gorilla permit shortages at times. At the time of booking, travelers are advised to pay a 30% deposit fee and pay the balance 90 days to the trekking day. Anyone who fails to pay the balance within 90 days loses his/her permit. In other words, UWA puts back the permit in the system as available for sale; hence anyone else can buy it. Here a traveler loses the deposit and the permit since there is no refund for the deposited gorilla permits. However, despite the recommended advance bookings advised, we also book last-minute gorilla habituation trips. Contact us, we check the permit availability and book a trip for you.

Which gorilla families are undergoing habituation experience?
Currently, 2 gorilla families are undergoing training. These are Bikyingi and Bushaho gorilla families each visited by 4 people per day. Gorilla habituation experience takes 2-3 years after which a gorilla family is declared free for trekking.

What to pack for gorilla habituation experience?
Like in gorilla trekking, travelers coming for gorilla habituation experience are advised to carry the appropriate essentials to ensure a peaceful and successful gorilla encounter. Among the things to carry for gorilla habituation experience include:
• Hiking boots/shoes for easy movements
• Ponchos/sweaters for warmth
• Rain jackets to protect you from unpredictable forest rains
• Gardening gloves for your hands
• Long-sleeved shirts/blouses for your arms
• Long pants for your legs
• Sunglasses to protect from direct sun
• Hat to protect your head and hair for women
• First aid kit for any emergency
• Insect repellant
• Enough bottled drinking water
• Energy giving snacks

Rules and regulations of gorilla habituation experience
During the pre gorilla habituation experience, travelers are introduced to the dos and don’ts while with gorillas. These rules are to ensure the safety of both gorillas and clients. The dos and do not of gorilla habituation experience include:
• Keep a distance of seven meters away from gorillas
• Do not trek when sick
• Keep within your group
• Speak at a low tone
• Do not run when a gorilla charges
• Do not litter in the park
Book a gorilla habituation experience in Uganda starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda with Gorilla Trek Africa. Spend extended time with wild gorillas in their natural habitat within the shortest time possible.

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