How to combine Gorilla Trekking and Habituation Tour in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Combining gorilla trekking and habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda offers an immersive and unforgettable adventure allowing you to see gorillas twice as well see the fully habituated gorillas used to human presence and the semi-habituated gorillas not used to human presence.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Bwindi
- Arrive at the nearest airport, either Entebbe International Airport or Kigali International Airport (if coming from Rwanda).
- Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, either by road or air if you arrive through Entebbe, depending on your preference and budget.
- Check into your accommodation near the park and rest up for the upcoming adventure.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Day
- Early morning wake-up call for breakfast.
- Head to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking rules and regulations.
- Join a guided gorilla trekking expedition into the lush forest of Bwindi. The trek can last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, depending on the location of the gorilla families.
- Spend one magical hour in the presence of a habituated gorilla family, observing their behaviors and taking photos.
- After trekking, return to your accommodation for relaxation and reflection on the day’s adventure.
Day 3: Gorilla Habituation Experience Day
- Enjoy another early breakfast before heading to the park headquarters.
- Begin the gorilla habituation experience, where you’ll spend the entire day with a team of researchers and trackers, habituating a wild gorilla family to human presence.
- Follow the gorilla group as they move through their natural habitat, observing their behaviors, interactions, and social dynamics.
- Enjoy a packed lunch in the forest, surrounded by the sights and sounds of Bwindi’s wilderness.
- After a full day of habituation, return to your accommodation in the evening, exhilarated by the experience.
Day 4: Departure
- After breakfast, bid farewell to Bwindi and begin your journey back to the airport for your onward travel arrangements.
About Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi
Gorilla habituation experience involves walking/hiking through Bwindi Forest to search for semi-habituated mountain gorillas and once you find them you will spend 4 hours encounter with them as you participate in activities geared to make these mountain gorillas get used to human presence so that they can be trekked normally after a given period of time. Gorilla habituation experience gives you an opportunity to spend more hours with mountain gorillas that is 4 hours compared to one hour during normal tracking. Gorilla habituation is always on high demand given they are only 4 permits available per day and tracking is only done by 4 people per day so it is recommended you book your permit at least 2-3 months in advance.
Difference Between Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Habituation Experience
The major difference is during Gorilla trekking you spend one-hour encounter with the mountain Gorillas once you find them in Bwindi Forest whereas for Gorilla habitation experience you spend 4 hours encounter with mountain gorillas in Bwindi forest. Gorilla trekking is done in a group of 8 tourists tracking per gorilla family whereas gorilla habitation is done in a group of 4 tourists tracking a given semi habituated gorilla family.
Best Time for Combining Gorilla Trekking and Habituation Experience
The best time to do Gorilla Trek Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September, this makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown.
What to Pack for Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
During Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park you will need a comfortable, hard-wearing pair of walking shoes or boots. Conditions are generally very muddy when it is raining. There are uphill sections which may be quite steep and strenuous. It is also advisable to wear a long sleeve cotton shirt and lightweight long trousers to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles, and biting ants.
Difficulty of Gorilla Trekking and Habituation Experience
Gorilla Trekking and Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park timings and conditions vary tremendously as the gorillas move continuously through the rain forest. It is good to be prepared and remember the weather can change with very little warning. The terrain is often steep and through areas where there are no marked paths. It can be very strenuous it may be just a couple of hours but it can also be for a full day of up to 8 hours or more of hiking in hot, high-altitude conditions, therefore please be prepared for this by being as fit as possible.
Where to Stay During Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is for now only done in the southern part that is Rushaga. In Rushaga lodges, you can stay at Rushaga Gorilla camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, and Karungi Camp. In Nkuringo lodges you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge, or Lake Mutanda Resort, all these lodges are close to the start point of Gorilla Habituation and Gorilla trekking.
How to Get to Bwindi Forest
By Road: Bwindi can be accessed through the main high-way road from Entebbe/Kampala which approximately 8-9 hours drive. The northern sectors of Ruhija and Buhoma can be accessed by turning off along the Kabale-Kisoro road. The southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo trailheads can be reached using the road turning off at Muko along Kabale-Kisoro High way.
By Air: You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip to access the southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo and then to Kihihi airstrip for the northern sectors of Ruhija and Buhoma.
Why Book with Iconic Africa Safaris Ltd
Iconic Africa Safaris Ltd will help you book your gorilla trekking permits trekking in Bwindi Forest contact us and we advise you on the booking process. We as well have different gorilla trekking safari packages ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury options that we can book for you including the gorilla permits. We are devoted to providing excellent service and customer satisfaction. Our team of excellent tour consultants is always willing to help answer all your safari questions. We guarantee you a great gorilla tour in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo with us. Contact us here for more information about Combining Gorilla Trekking and Habituation Experience in Bwindi.