Compare gorilla trekking and habituation experience in Uganda

One of the most frequently asked questions about gorilla habituation and trekking in Uganda is how they differ. We have all the information comparing gorilla trekking and habituation in Uganda, and we also advise on how much it costs, what to wear and other details that will help with the comparisons of the two to help you get a fantastic adventure while on a safari to Uganda.

Most Popular Safaris

3 Day Gorilla Trekking safari

8 day Uganda safari via Kigali

5 days gorillas and chimp safari

8 days gorilla tracking tour

19 day best of Uganda safari

15 days Uganda Rwanda safari

18 day Uganda Ultimate Safari

16 day primate game and culture

11 days gorilla tracking safari

5 days gorilla and Nile river source

17 day Uganda birding and wildlife

Gorilla habituation refers to the process of getting a group of wild Mountain gorillas used to being around and seeing humans in their natural habitat. Habituated Mountain gorillas are the only ones that are allowed to be visited by the Mountain gorillas and this is done for the well-being of the gorillas and the trekkers. Gorilla habituation is done by specialists who include trackers, conservationists, researchers and park rangers and it takes about 2 to 3 years. The long-term aim of gorilla habituation is to eliminate the fear gorillas have for humans. When you are around Mountain gorillas the whole day, you get to learn that they are calm and once they get used to humans, they are a delight to be around.

Gorilla trekking is the process of trekking through the forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga in southwestern Uganda in search of the habituated Mountain gorillas. Standard gorilla trekking is only possible after the successful habituation of the Mountain gorillas which takes about 2 to 3 years before they are opened for tracking by the public. Some tourists prefer going for gorilla trekking and others gorilla habituation and this all depends on the preference of the tourists and budget. Contact us for more information.

The differences between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences in Uganda are:

Participation

Gorilla trekking involves trekking and observing and observing the Mountain gorillas for an hour with a designated distance of 7 to 10 meters. The participants of gorilla trekking in Uganda are limited to 8 members in a group and they are primarily photographers and observers.

Gorilla habituation, on the other hand, allows tourists 4 hours with the Mountain gorillas. With habituation, the group fully and actively participates in the exercise and engages in the research and studying of the semi-habituated mountain gorillas.

The group size

Gorilla tracking only allows a maximum of 8 people to participate in the exercise. The limited number of people helps reduce the risk of infecting and overwhelming the Mountain gorillas.

Gorilla habituation experience allows a limited number of 4 people per session per group to ensure that there is a more personalized and intimate experience with the Mountain gorillas.

The permit cost

Gorilla trekking costs vary depending on your country and residency. Foreign non-residents pay $800, foreign residents pay $700, citizens from other countries pay $500, and East African citizens pay UGX300,000. This is cheaper as compared to gorilla habituation and trekking permits in Rwanda.

Gorilla habituation costs are more expensive because you spend more time with the gorillas and it also varies according to your residency. Foreign non-residents pay $1500, foreign residents pay $1000. Citizens from other African countries pay $1000 and East African citizens pay UGX750, 000.

Duration

Gorilla trekking involves trekking through the forest for 2 to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are located on the day of the trek but after finding them, all groups have an hour with the primates and if the guides feel that there is a problem or the gorillas are agitated, they can reduce the one hour.

Gorilla habituation is a longer commitment where tourists spend 4 hours with the primates observing and understanding their distinct behaviors. The four hours spent with the gorillas start immediately after locating the assigned gorilla family in Rushaga for habituation.

Gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience in Uganda

Gorilla trekking starts early morning after a briefing with the lead guides where tourists are divided into groups of 8, gorilla families are assigned and tourists get to know the rules, regulations and what to expect when it comes to gorilla trekking. While you are attending the briefing, trackers are sent out early to search for the last seen location of the gorillas and after finding it, they communicate with the guides, this is the information that trekkers use to find the best route for locating the assigned gorilla family. The trek can take between 2 to 6 hours and after finding the gorillas, each group has an hour with them. After one hour, trekkers get back to the park headquarters where they are awarded certificates of participation.

Gorilla habituation starts early in the morning with a briefing with the trekkers before the exercise starts. Trekking through the forest with the researchers will take you to the assigned gorilla family where you get to spend 4 hours with the gorillas. With the habituation process, you will need to purchase a gorilla habituation permit from UWA through a tour operator and after the exercise, you will be awarded a certificate for participating in the exercise.

Reasons why tourists choose gorilla habituation instead of gorilla trekking

Gorilla habituation has more advantages over gorilla trekking and some of the reasons why tourists choose gorilla habituation over gorilla habituation include the following:

Spend more time with the Mountain gorillas: Gorilla habituation offers more time with a gorilla family as compared to a regular gorilla trek. Whereas a standard gorilla trek offers tourists an hour with the gorillas observing and interacting with them, the gorilla habituation experience extends for over a month and you get to spend four hours with the Mountain gorillas. During the standard gorilla trek, the duration for trekking gorillas is between 1 to 6 hours and this depends on physical fitness and the location of the gorillas, and after locating the gorillas you limited time of an hour.

It is important to note that gorilla habituation demands a lot of time and the physical demands are not for everyone. You will be spending a lot of time on your feet and this can be tiring for a few individuals. It is however worth mentioning that all the tourists who have participated in the gorilla habituation experience have no complaints about the hours spent with the gorillas. If you have an interest in learning more about Mountain gorillas, gorilla habituation is the way to go as it is a rare opportunity to learn about the social structure and behaviours of Mountain gorillas.

There are few participants: This is an advantage that gorilla habituation has over the standard gorilla trekking exercise with only 4 participants per session as compared to the 8 for the standard gorilla trekking. The smaller group size allows for tourists to get the best camera views, get an opportunity to feel more intimate with the gorillas and observe them without the large crowds characterized by standard gorilla trekking.

Gorilla habituation is about learning: Gorilla habituation offers a more advanced opportunity to learn more about the Mountain gorillas as compared to a normal gorilla trek. With habituation, you are essentially spending 4 hours in the natural habitat of the gorillas becoming part of the gorilla family as you observe their behaviors and their day-to-day activities. You are accompanied by trackers and researchers who provide insights into the behaviors of the Mountain gorillas and their day-to-day lives on your visit. The additional information provided by the researchers enhances your knowledge about the gorillas in their natural habitat. If you are lucky, you will be able to witness what's referred to as the Gorilla Doctor Forest Call as this involves monitoring and checking up on a gorilla family by vets.

You are an active participant: During a gorilla habituation experience, you are not an observer taking photos and recording videos, but you are an active participant following the gorillas around for 4 hours and these hours include trekking the Mountain gorillas. Habituation is when tourists have ample time to ask more questions about the conservation of the Mountain gorillas, unlike the one hour where you take photos and videos of the gorillas.

The location: Gorilla habituation in Uganda is carried out only in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the Rushaga sector. Standard gorilla trekking on the other hand takes place in all four sectors of Bwindi these include Rushaga, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Buhoma. Standard gorilla trekking in Uganda is also carried out in Mgahinga National Park which is home to the Nyakagezi gorilla family. The location where these two activities are carried out allows visitors to choose their preference taking into consideration other logistics.

Gorilla trekking and habituation rules and guidelines

The gorilla trekking rules and regulations are set up to protect the mountain gorillas and the trekkers. With the noticeable differences between the two activities, they follow the same rules and guidelines that all tourists have to follow to avoid penalties. The gorilla trekking and habituation rules and regulations that all tourists have to follow include the following:

Before trekking:

• Your permit will be collected on the morning of the trek.
• Attend the early morning briefing led by the guides. This is a must because, during the briefing, you will be reminded about the rules, divided into groups and the best time to communicate with your guide in case you are sick or won’t be able to trek longer distances.
• Wash and sanitize your hands before the start of the trek.
• The trek and habituation exercises are only done by tourists 12 years and above.

During the trek:

• Communicate with the guides and fellow trekkers in low tones. This will allow you to observe your surroundings which are always filled with other wildlife including bird species and primates among others.
• Do not wander away from the trekkers as there are different wildlife species around you.

With the gorillas:

• Take the camera flash off when taking photos of the mountain gorillas.
• Avoid surrounding the gorillas, and the best way to observe them is by making a curve and leaving a distance between you and the gorillas.
• A maximum of 8 people participate in gorilla trekking and 4 participate in gorilla habituation.
• Trekkers have an hour with the primates during a standard gorilla trek and 4 hours with habituation.
• Trekkers have to keep a distance of 7 meters from the gorillas.
• Avoid eating when with Mountain gorillas
• Smoking and drinking are not allowed when close to the Mountain gorillas
• Touching the gorillas is prohibited.

Where to go for gorilla trekking and habituation in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park both of which are found in southwestern Uganda. Bwindi has 21 habituated gorilla families and Mgahinga has one habituated gorilla family and each of these can be habituated throughout the year. Gorilla habituation at the moment is only carried out in Bwindi in the Rushaga sector where two gorilla families were set aside for the habituation exercise.

When to go for gorilla trekking and habituation in Uganda

Gorilla trekking and habituation in Uganda is carried out throughout the year, however, the best time is during the dry season from June to September and December to February. The trek routes used in the national parks during this period are easier to use and the gorillas are easier to locate. The rainy season which is March to May and October to November is considered to be a good time if you wish to avoid large crowds which are experienced in the dry season and it is also a good time when you are on a budget. It is however characterized by muddy and slippery routes. Tourists should however note that the rains in Uganda are experienced all year round and you should be ready for the weather changes.

In conclusion, the Gorilla habituation experience is now a favorite among tourists with a significant percentage choosing the habituation experience over the standard gorilla trek. The primary reason for choosing habituation over normal gorilla trekking is that you get more hours with the gorillas and an intimate experience.

Contact us for more information and bookings for your gorilla trekking or habituation experience in Uganda.