End of year Gorilla and Golden Monkey Habituation Adventures
You can have a special experience with gorillas and golden monkeys at the end of the year. This is only possible in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Mgahinga may be a small park, but it’s home to two special animals: mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Golden monkeys have golden brown hair on their lower bodies. They’re friendly but still a bit cautious around people.
The gorilla habituation experience lets tourists spend four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family. This happens in the southern part of Bwindi National Park. Currently, two gorilla families are open to visitors.
When is the Best Time to Book Gorilla and Golden Monkey Habituation Permits?
If you want to see gorillas or golden monkeys, it’s best to book permits 6 months to a year ahead. Only four permits are given per gorilla or golden monkey group. This helps protect the animals and their habitat. Many people want these permits, especially during the festive season. So, it’s important to plan ahead.
During the end of the year, many tourists plan trips. This makes it hard to get last-minute permits. Permits are given on a first-come, first-served basis. You can’t hold a permit without paying. At Iconic Africa Safaris, we tell our clients to get permits first because they’re the key to this adventure.
How much is the cost of gorilla and golden monkey habituation safari at the End of the year?
The cost of gorilla and golden monkey permits is the same for luxury, mid-range, and budget safaris. Other things affect the cost too, like how many people are on the safari, how many days it lasts, and extra activities. Booking early can also save money.
At Iconic Africa Safaris, we make sure our clients have everything they need for their gorilla or golden monkey safari. This includes permits, accommodation, transport, and a guide. It’s especially important during busy times like the end of the year.
Cost of Gorilla and Golden Monkey Habituation Permits
The permits for gorilla habituation cost differently for people from different places. For foreigners who are not residents, it’s $1500. For foreigners who are residents, it’s $1000. And for East Africans, it’s 750,000 shillings.
On the other hand, the permits for golden monkey habituation also vary. For foreign residents, it’s $100. For foreigners who are residents, it’s $80. And for East Africans, it’s 100,000 shillings.
What’s Included and Excluded in the Permit Costs
When you get a gorilla habituation permit, some things are included in the cost. These include park entrance fees, fees for the ranger guide, security, conservation efforts for mountain gorillas, support for the local community, government taxes, a certificate, a fee for researchers, and four hours with the gorilla family.
But when you get a golden monkey habituation permit, only certain things are included. These are the fees for the ranger guide, support for the local community, security, government taxes, and four hours with the golden monkeys. However, the cost does not include park entrance fees, tips, hiring porters, or any other personal items.
Are Gorilla and Golden Monkey Habituation Experiences Tiresome?
The experiences of habituating gorillas and golden monkeys can be tiring. This is because the places where it happens, like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, have rough landscapes. There are many hills, ridges, and plateaus covered in thick vegetation.
It rains a lot in these places, and because of the thick trees, not much sunlight gets through to dry the ground. This often makes the trails muddy and hard to walk on. To make it easier, it’s recommended to wear comfortable boots and clothes that protect against scratches and bites from plants and insects.
To avoid getting tired or bored during these experiences, it’s good to keep an open mind. There are many interesting things to see in the forest besides gorillas and golden monkeys. You can enjoy the waterfalls, watch different types of monkeys and birds, and learn about the various trees and plants.
Having some level of fitness can help you get through the experience more easily. It’s important to be prepared for the physical challenges of walking in the forest for several hours.