Habituating the Mountain Gorillas of Uganda
Habituating the Mountain Gorillas of Uganda : Uganda is home estimate half of the world’s endangered mountain gorilla population, and gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the most remarkable wildlife experiences on the continent.
Standard gorilla treks offer you a great chance to spend up to one hour in the company of the gorillas in their natural environment. Gorilla habituation is a four hour in company of the research, park ranges and doctors in search for them. More so, it is a process that takes between 2 to 3 years. Those wishing to take a more active role in the protection and understanding of these unique giants, where you join the rangers and conservationists in the habituation process of two more gorilla families in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
During a habituation activity, you will be allowed up a 4 hour with these intelligent and emotional mammals while learning about their behavior, lifestyle, feeding, playing among others, thus remarkably humbling experience.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is done in four gorilla trekking sectors that are; Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija whereas Gorilla Habituation is only available in the Rushaga sector which is in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Meanwhile, a standard gorilla trekking permit costs USD700 while the gorilla habituation experience costs USD1,500 per person per day. All the experience is completely safe and the benefits of spending more time with gorillas with them as a better way to understand their behaviors and social dynamics as well as getting memorable photography for your future remembrance.
Gorilla Habituation Trek;
These gorilla excursions in Uganda are a trek into the forest with an expert team of guides and scouts, looking for tracks left by the gorillas. More so, it can take up to 6 hours and more to locate a gorilla family. Once are located, you can spend up to 4 hours with the gorillas. A habituation experience offers you a great insight into the lives of these stunning animals that few get to experience. These four hours, allows you to observe the animals up close, interacting with each other in their small familial families, you will start to draw parallel between the gorillas and humans. The similarities ate often humbling.
Gorilla Habituation is a full-day affair and returning to the lodge for dinner and a warm shower is well deserved.
Best time to go for Gorilla Habituation or Gorilla Trek?
Both activities can be done throughout the year. Temperature in Bwindi National Park experience between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The two dry seasons from June to August and from December to February, are the best times to visit the gorillas because the tracking trails can be dry and out of slippery.
You can still travel the months of March to May in Bwindi though, during the wet season, most rains fall in the area. So you should avoid these months. Although the wet season offers some advantages for photographers.
What pack on Gorilla Safaris in Uganda?
Waterproof hiking boots; These items are good for supporting you on slippery trekking trails.
You carry light, breathable, waterproof jackets and trousers and long-sleeved shirts. So wearing long sleeves and trousers helps you to protect yourself from dangerous insect bites as well as keep you warm if the weather turns, Habituating the Mountain Gorillas of Uganda.
Carry a hat and sunglasses
Pack a lightweight backpack with enough room to carry packed lunch boxes, snacks, extra layers, reusable water bottles, extra layers, and other essentials including; sun cream, insect repellent, after sun, bite relief cream, and lip balm.
Pair of binoculars; You can spot other wildlife such as birds and monkeys from a distance.
Camera with extra batteries and waterproof bags to keep it safe.
Where to stay;
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has got a variety of comfortable accommodations with perfect amenities ranging between Luxury, Mid-range, and Budget accommodations such as; Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Safari lodge many more.
Accessibility;
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern region of Uganda and can be reached by both road and Air transport.
By road, from Kampala or Entebbe it takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive to access the main visited destination.
By Air, you can decide to use a domestic charter or schedule flight by Aerolink or Bar Aviation from Entebbe International Airport to fly you to Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip ‘’1:30hours land’’.
