How is Gorilla Trekking different from Gorilla Habituation

How is Gorilla Trekking different from 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 the 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. Both activities are done in Bwindi Forest national park and both start in the morning hours you are required to be fit to be able to participate in one of the activity given the fact some time they tend to be strenuous especially when you are hiking through Bwindi Forest.

Bwindi Gorilla Habituation Tour

Gorilla habituation in Bwindi timings and conditions vary tremendously as the gorillas move continuously through the rain forest this also determines how difficult and challenging the gorilla trek will be that day of your trek. It is good to be prepared for gorilla trekking in advance, you need to do some training months before your trek if you feel you are not fit enough. 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.

What is the best gorilla habituation experience fitness level? A moderate level of fitness or better is suitable for gorilla habituation experience. We as well recommend you get a Porter on the day of the trek, the porter can assist you on the trek to carry your backpack bag as well give you a pull and push where needed, and dditionally, the use of a local Walking Stick is an excellent aid given to you at the day of the trek.

How is Gorilla Trekking different from Gorilla Habituation Experience. Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi forest is done in the southern part of Bwindi at Rushaga sector and areas between Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. With this if you are interested in doing Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi you are required to stay in lodges in the south at either Nkuringo or Rushaga. 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 atleast 2-3 months in advance. A Gorilla Habituation permit costs USD1500 per person per trek for Non foreign residents, USD1000 for Foreign Residents and USD220 for East African Citizens.

How to get to get to Bwindi Forest for Gorilla habituation experience

How far is Bwindi by Road; This will depend on which sector you will be doing your gorilla trek in Bwindi Forest; 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 you will see the sign posted of Uganda Wildlife Authority which you will follow up to the designated sector for your trek. The southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo trailheads can be reached using the road turning off at Muko along Kabale-Kisoro High way.

How far is Bwindi 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. Scheduled and chartered flights are available and operated by domestic airline operators of Aero link and Fly Uganda. You will need to plan with your tour operator for a transfer from the airstrip to your Lodge you are booked for your stay.

What to pack for Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Forest?

Gorilla habituation experience. During gorilla tracking 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.  Suggested Items to pack for Gorilla trekking in Bwindi include;

•            Insect Repellent                      

•            Torch/Flashlight – and Spare Batteries

•            Wet Wipes                             

•            Water Bottle                                 

•            Camera, lenses etc

•            Comfortable walking/hiking boots & socks          

•            Gardening gloves for gorilla tracking

•            Sandals/strops/walking shoes    

•            Hat and Sunscreen

•            Rain Jacket

•            Sweater/fleece

•            Swimwear

•            Binoculars (game/bird watching)

Where to stay during Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest

Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Forest National Park is only done in the southern part that is Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. 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. 

Why Book Bwindi Gorilla Habituation Tour with Eco Adventure Safaris

Eco Adventure Safaris will help you book your gorilla trekking permits trekking in Uganda 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. Feel free to checkout our trip advisor reviews and read from a community of happy satisfied clients. With us, you can be rest assured of a memorable Uganda safari holiday. 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 How is Gorilla Trekking different from Gorilla Habituation Experience.