Last-minute gorilla habituation experience from Kigali (Rwanda) to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda)

Are you planning to participate in the gorilla habituation experience but have time constraints? Are you traveling to Rwanda and inquiring about the possibility of taking part in the gorilla habituation experience in Uganda in a limited timeframe?  Active African Vacations has a tailored plan for you to spend an adorable moment with the gentle giant apes for longer hours. With proper arrangements, the trip will start and end in Rwanda.

Uganda is the only country among the three countries that have mountain gorillas, where nature lovers can engage in the gorilla habituation experience. The gorilla habituation experience is available in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.  This experience allows visitors to join researchers, scientists, and park rangers to visit specific gorilla families that have not been opened for trekking to study the ways of making them used to human interaction.

In Bwindi National Park, two gorilla families have been set aside for the habituation process: the Bikyingi family and the Bushaho family. Only four visitors per day are allowed to visit a particular gorilla family that is under habituation and are allowed to spend 4 hours interacting with the gorillas.

How much is the gorilla habituation permit, and how can it be secured?

A gorilla habituation permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park costs 1,500 USD per person per day for foreign non-residents, 1,000USD for foreign residents in Uganda, and 750,000 UGX for East African citizens. This permit is only issued to individuals of 15 years and above.

The permit fees include park entrance fees that are used to run the day-to-day activities f the park, pay for gorilla doctors, rangers, guides, and also contribute to mountain gorilla conservation.

The process of securing a gorilla habituation permit is done by booking through Uganda Wildlife Authority or a registered/trusted tour operator. Your tour operator with access to UWA online updates for permit availability on your desired habituation dates. Booking should be done in advance at least 6 months before your travel dates. After successful payments, your tour operator will provide booking confirmation with a scanned copy of your permit

Validity of a gorilla habituation permit.

A gorilla habituation permit is only valid for that specific trekking date it is booked. Once the date has passed, it’s no longer valid. At the booking time, travelers are advised to deposit 30% of the total permit charge, and the balance must be paid 90 days before the trekking date. Failure to balance within the 90 days means loss of the permit. UWA puts the permit back into the system for resale, and no refund is made for the deposit. Travelers are therefore advised to book in advance, though we can also book last-minute habituation permits, which are paid for once without instalments.

How to do a 1-day gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi from Kigali.

Departure from Kigali will be as early as 3:00 am, as it takes approximately four hours to reach Bwindi, Rushaga sector park center. Your/our company driver guide will pick you from Kigali International Airport or your hotel in Kigali, drive and cross to Uganda Via Cyanika border in Kisoro, and then connect to Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the only place that offers the gorilla habituation experience.

Join other trekkers for a briefing at the park center, get hiking sticks and porters and at 8:00am set off to meet the gentle giant apes with the leadership of game rangers and researchers. Hiking time depends on where you locate the gorillas that day. The habituation experience lasts 4 hours from meeting gorillas. Hiking time does not count within the 4 hours. Enjoy this extended time with a wild gorilla family, observe their behaviors, follow them, take memorable photos and videos as much as you can, and have fun. After the four adventurous hours, you will hike down, meet your driver-guide, and drive back to Kigali to catch your connecting flight after four hours of interaction.

What to pack for a gorilla habituation experience?

Like gorilla trekking, visitors intending to participate in the gorilla habituation experience are encouraged to bring the necessary trekking gear to guarantee a calm and fruitful gorilla encounter. Below are some of the things that you should not miss in your habituation pack.

– Hiking boots to help you traverse the steep,  muddy, and slippery terrain.
– Ponchos/sweaters for warmth during the cold weather conditions.
-Rain jackets to protect you from unpredictable rain because the gorillas reside in a dense tropical rain forest.
– Gardening gloves to protect your hands from pinches from thorny plants.
– Long-sleeved shirts/blouses for your arms and warmth.
– Long pants to protect your legs from scratches and insect bites.
– Sunglasses to protect you from direct sunrays.
– A hat to protect your head and hair for women
– First aid kit for any emergency
-Insect repellent to avoid insect bites and stings.
-Enough bottled drinking water to keep you hydrated throughout the trek
-Energy-giving snacks

Rules and regulations of gorilla habituation

While at  Rushaga sector park headquarters,  trekkers are taken through on the way on how to behave while with the gorillas.  These rules and regulations help to ensure the safety of both the visitors and the gorillas. Some of the dos and don’ts during the gorilla habituation experience are:

• Listen and follow the orders from your ranger guides because they know the behavior of the gorillas. In case of any changes or gorilla charging, they will alert you on what to do.
• Avoid getting close to the gorillas; keep a distance of seven meters away from the gorillas.
• Do not trek when you are sick. Gorillas share 98% of human DNA and thus are susceptible to catching contagious diseases like flu, cough, pneumonia, etc.
• Keep within the group
• Do not litter in the park. Keep your disposable water bottles and plates until you return to the park center or accommodation and put them in the garbage bins. This helps to maintain sanitation in the park and the health condition of the gorillas.
• Do not run or shout when the gorilla charges; crouch down, and it will not harm you.

Why should you opt for the gorilla habituation experience?

When you begin your journey through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of mountain gorillas, the sounds of the jungle are the first impression you get. The forest is alive with the sounds of birds and insects. Your excitement grows when you realize that you are getting closer to one of the mountain gorilla families. It is key that you pay close attention to your ranger guide whenever you come across the gorilla family

One of the most outstanding opportunities for wildlife photography that can be found anywhere in the world is the gorilla habituation session. You will have more time to get shots that are a perfect match. On the other hand, taking photographs of gorillas can be challenging due to much light and the distance that must be maintained between you and the gorillas. In spite of this, you cannot leave the gorilla habitat without taking some photographs.

For the best images during your experience, you must be well prepared.  Check if your batteries are fully charged, have enough space on your memory cards, and bring waterproof cameras because gorillas reside in dense tropical rainforest where rain is expected at any time.

Given your limited time with the gorillas, it’s advisable to plan your shots instead of capturing them randomly. We promote finding harmony between fully enjoying this wonderful experience and capturing images of these fascinating creatures. Always focus on the experience as well as photography. Avoid spending all your time looking through the camera lens and remember that flash photography is not allowed when you are with the gorillas.

In conclusion

The gorilla habituation experience gives you a better understanding of gorilla trekking and gorilla behavior as you spend extended time with the gorillas in their natural habitat within a limited time.