Gorilla habituation experiences in Uganda

Gorilla habituation experiences in Uganda for individuals:

Gorilla habituation is a special process that allows wild mountain gorillas to become comfortable around people. This process can take up to three years, during which researchers visit a specific group of gorillas daily. They learn about each gorilla’s unique behaviours and personalities. Over time, the gorillas become familiar with the researchers, and each gorilla is given a name. Once the researchers are confident that the gorillas are ready, they begin a mock exercise where a few people, like scientists and journalists, visit the gorillas. If the gorillas pass this exercise, they are ready for visitors!

During this unique experience, guests can spend four hours with the mountain gorillas, which is much longer than the typical one-hour gorilla trekking tour. Regular gorilla trekking can take up most of the day, but the habituation experience is worth it!

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to approximately 19 habituated gorilla families. These families, such as Mubare, Habinyanja, and Rushegura in Buhoma, Bitukura, Oruzogo, and Kyaguriro in Ruhija, Nshonji, Mishaya, Busingye, Bweza, and Kahungye in Rushaga, and the Nkuringo Gorilla Family in the southern part, make up the diverse gorilla population in the park. Currently, Uganda Wildlife Authority offers eighty-eight gorilla permits for purchase. Additionally, two gorilla families are designated for gorilla habituation experience and are situated in the Nkuringo and Rushaga regions of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This arrangement ensures that gorilla habituation safaris are exclusively conducted in the southern part of the park.

This Gorilla habituation experience has become increasingly popular with tourists as it allows for a longer duration of interaction (Four hours) compared to the standard two-trek tours. The key distinction lies in encountering semi-habituated mountain gorillas during this experience; these gorillas may exhibit unusual behaviour like hiding and can prompt interruptions based on advice from our knowledgeable guides and experts. To learn more about our gorilla habituation experience safaris, we encourage you to explore our frequently asked questions or reach out to our consultants at Encounter Africa Safaris. We handle bookings for gorilla habituation permits and various other services. Those planning to embark on a Gorilla habituation safari in 2022-23 are welcome to get in touch for further information.

Book Gorilla habituation experiences in Uganda

To have a memorable four-hour experience with mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a valid gorilla habituation permit for Rushaga or Nkuringo is required. Uganda Wildlife Authority issues these permits based on a first-come, first-served basis with cash payments. Each day, only four individuals are permitted to spend time with these mountain gorillas as they are still in the process of habituation and must be protected from excessive human interference. 

Gorilla habituation experiences in Uganda are priced at 1500 US dollars, which is higher than Gorilla trekking that costs 600 dollars.To obtain your gorilla habituation permit, simply email us your preferred date, month, and year for the experience in Uganda. We will liaise with Uganda Wildlife Authority to confirm permit availability. 

Upon confirmation, we will reserve the permits, send you an invoice for payment, and upon receipt, proceed to secure your gorilla permits and provide you with scanned copies for your records. Once the permits are secured, we will assist in arranging your stay at lodges in Rushaga, Nkuringo, or Rubuguri, as well as organize your transportation to and from the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.