Gorilla Habituation verses Gorilla trekking in Uganda
Gorilla Habituation verses Gorilla trekking in Uganda : Gorilla Habituation in Uganda is only available in Bwindi impenetrable National Park in Rushaga Sector of gorilla trekking in 2016 the new habituated Groups Bikingi and Bushaho are open for habituation. Gorilla habituation gives trekker more four hours to stay with Gorilla. This is the only lace currently where one can go gorilla habituation in the whole world. Bwindi forest national park is located in the southern part of the park, and popularly known to have many habituated gorilla families available for visit by tourists every day.
Differences Between Gorilla Tracking & Habituation Tours include;
Four hours spent with Mountain Gorillas during habituation while one hour is given to trekkers. Therefore, more three hours are given to spend with Gorillas during habituation. Note: The four hours given during habituation, does not include the time it takes hiking in and out from the Gorilla Group being habituated making it an all-day experience.
Gorilla trekking starts at 7:30 at the Rushaga Park Headquarters and you return in the late Afternoon while habituation earlier at 6 am and end in evening depending on the movement of the Gorillas.
There are only two newly habituated gorilla families in Rushaga sector called Bikingi and Bushaho families, they are majorly habituated from 2016 onwards. On the other hand, 12 gorilla families are trekked in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
The number of Visitors allowed per day is limited to 4 participants per group compared while the normal gorilla trekking takes up to 8 hours in Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
Price for the Gorilla Habituation permit is 1,500 US$ per person while price of Gorilla trekking is US $700 per person.
Below are some of the similarities between gorilla habituation and trekking.
Both Gorilla habituation and trekking are conducted after briefing. Both activities are led by ranger guides to ensure informative and enjoyable experience.
To participate in any activity, the participant MUST buy a permit in advance.
Gorilla habituation and trekking starts in the morning and the end is determined by the movement of Gorillas in the wild.
Both activities involve meeting Gorillas in their natural habitat. Bwindi is impenetrable forest where gorillas are found.
Both Gorilla trekking and Habituation are done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda, not only famous for gorilla safaris but also forest walks, excellent birding and Batwa Experience.
Note: Gorilla habituation is only conducted in Uganda and not yet introduced in Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. In case the demand for gorilla habituation increases, this will be a driving factor for responsible bodies like Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board among others to consider introducing more gorilla families for habituation experience.
Next time we shall discuss about gorilla filming. This is the most expensive and takes place in Uganda (Mgahinga and Bwindi impenetrable forest), Rwanda (Volcanoes National park) and to lesser extent in DR Congo (Virunga National Park). DR Congo is one of the richest tourism destinations in Africa with both Low land and mountain gorillas, untouched forests with huge variety of wild animals such as Elephants and Buffaloes, primates like Bonobos among others. However, the development of tourism industry in this area is hindered by political instabilities in the country. This has led to poor infrastructures such as roads, medical centres, accommodation facilities and increased number of refugees in the country.
