Gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga region of Bwindi

The only place in Uganda offering gorilla habituation is the Rushaga sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park found in the southwest of the country. It is important to understand that the gorilla habituation experience introduces visitors to a gorilla troop/family that is shy around humans and has not fully been habituated. And tourists get a more authentic experience with the Mountain gorillas.

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Rushaga sector in Uganda is not only known for gorilla habituation but is also known for having the highest number of habituated gorilla families, which include the Busingye gorilla family, Kahungye gorilla family, Nshongi gorilla family, Mucunguzi gorilla family, Bweza gorilla family, Bwigi gorilla family, Bikyingi gorilla family and Mishaya gorilla family. Rushaga is home to over 200 Mountain gorillas and tourists have a 100% chance of spotting Mountain gorillas in their natural habitat throughout the year. For more information, please contact us.

The gorilla habituation experience

Gorilla habituation in Rushaga starts with a briefing at the park headquarters with a ranger and guide who will explain what to expect and the dos and don’ts of when you are around the gorillas.

After the briefing, you head out with the habituation team through the forest and this group always leaves earlier than the standard gorilla trekking group. The habituation team is led by trackers (one or two), and during the hike, you will be able to see how they search for the trails and nests that were used by the gorillas the previous night, and this is all part of the habituation process.

When you find the gorilla family assigned for habituation, the trackers and researchers will be in charge of everything like making gorilla calls and grunts, using machetes to clear the vegetation and all this is done to attract the attention of the Mountain gorillas and make sure that the gorillas get used to these types of noises. The team will then inform you about the gorilla troop you are visiting, their personalities and individual habits.

The four hours include the time spent tracking Mountain gorillas from the time they leave their nests, so you will not specifically or necessarily spend all four hours in their presence. Mountain gorillas are shy primates, and since the trekking is carried out early morning, some of the gorillas might hide, and you will not be able to see them.

How to book the gorilla habituation permit

Booking a gorilla habituation permit is quite easy, and this can easily be purchased through a trusted tour operator, especially if you are a foreign non-resident. Get in touch with a tour operator like Encounter Africa Safaris with your desired dates for participating in the habituation process and this is done to check for the availability of the permits. Once the dates have been provided, the trip advisor will proceed to go and check for the availability of the permits on the provided dates. Once it is proven that the permits are available, they are pre-booked, and an invoice will be sent so that you make the necessary payments for the permits. The earlier, the better because these permits are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.

You will be asked to provide other details like names, passport numbers a copy of the passport, and the number of permits to be purchased. When the tour operator confirms payment, the permits will be purchased on your behalf and a copy will be sent to your email for record purposes. Note that the habituation permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the tour operators registered under AUTO are the only ones that are allowed to purchase the permits.

Gorilla habituation rules

Just like gorilla trekking, some rules and guidelines need to be followed when participating in the habituation exercise. Below are the rules and guidelines that need to be followed when participating in the habituation exercise in the Rushaga sector.

• The limit for participating in gorilla habituation in the Rushaga sector is 12 years.
• Follow all the guidelines given to you by the tour guides and trackers
• Limit noise-making when with the Mountain gorillas to observe the Mountain gorillas.
• You have to keep a distance of 7 meters between you and the Mountain gorillas
• When you need to use the toilet, dig a hole of 30cm deep and after you are through, cover the hole well so that the gorillas do not find it and dig it up
• Turn off the camera flash when taking photos during the habituation process
• Do not spit on the vegetation because this increases the risk of infecting the Mountain gorillas.
• You are not allowed to eat, drink or smoke when with the Mountain gorillas.
• All groups of tourists spend a maximum of 4 hours with the Mountain gorillas.
• Remove sunglasses when with the gorillas because the gorillas see their reflection in them and might attack.
• Avoid surrounding the Mountain gorillas during the habituation process.

What is the age limit for gorilla habituation in Uganda?

The minimum age limit for gorilla habituation in Rushaga is 12 years and above. There is no maximum age limit and for as long as you can trek and are physically fit, you will be allowed to participate in the exercise. A copy of your passport will be requested to verify your age.

How much is gorilla habituation in Rushaga?

The cost of gorilla habituation in Rushaga region on Bwindi is affected by a number of factors and these include the cost of the gorilla habituation permit, accommodation, the season of travel, the cost of a porter and other personal costs.

The cost of the permit: The cost of the gorilla habituation permit in Rushaga is $1500 for foreign non-residents, UGX750,000 for East African citizens, $1000 for foreign residents and $1000 for citizens from other African countries. Note that the Uganda Wildlife Authority does not offer discounts on the permits, and the larger amount of the permits goes back into the habituation and conservation of the gorillas.

Accommodation: Accommodation is an important aspect when it comes to gorilla habituation and tourists are advised to book accommodation within the Rushaga sector for better planning. Some of the accommodation facilities within Rushaga that you can use include Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Hills Eco Lodge, Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Nshongi Camp, Gorilla Haven Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, Rushaga Gorilla Safari, and Wild Olives Lodge. The accommodation includes budget, mid-tanve and luxury accommodation and your budget determines the facility you get to choose.

Season of travel: There are two seasons of travel for gorilla habituation and these are the dry and wet season. The dry season is a peak season with large crowds of tourists and although it is the best time, it is also an expensive time to travel. The wet season, March to May and October to November, is the advised time to travel when on a budget and is characterized by fewer tourists.

Transport: You can either choose to drive to Rushaga or fly to Kihihi Airport, where you will be picked up by a guide. Driving from Kampala to Bwindi takes 8 to 9 hours and the flight is one hour and a half. Driving takes a long but is cheaper as compared to flying, which is a bit costly.

Tips: Although it is not mandatory, tipping is a gesture of appreciation for all those who have made your safari a fun experience. The people that you can tip on your safari include porters, guides, armed rangers, driver guides and service providers at the accommodation facilities.

Some of the other items that can affect the cost of the habituation exercise in Rushaga include personal shopping, flight tickets, insurance, cash and packing lists, among others. Get in touch with us for more information.

Should I book in advance for gorilla habituation?

Yes, booking for gorilla habituation has to be done in advance because the habituation permits sell out fast, and they are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Note that there are only 4 gorilla permits printed per day which is less than the standard gorilla trekking permits. Bwindi Park officials and tour guides advise tourists to book at least 6 months in advance, especially during the dry season, but you should not limit yourself to only the drier months when booking a gorilla habituation safari to Bwindi.

Is gorilla habituation ethical?

Yes, gorilla habituation is ethical, and this is because the Uganda Wildlife Authority has made sure that the exercise is done in a safe environment, protecting both the Mountain gorillas and the trekkers. The main reason why the habituation experience is more expensive as compared to the standard gorilla trek is that most of the money that is generated from the permit sales is used to maintain the natural habitat of the Mountain gorillas and continue with the conservation efforts. Therefore, by participating in gorilla habituation, you will be directly contributing to the conservation of the Mountain gorillas.

Is gorilla habituation safe?

Yes, gorilla habituation in Uganda is a safe exercise for all tourists. This is because habituation is only carried out by trekkers who are 12 years and above (because children don’t usually follow the rules and are harder to control), you are provided with professional guides who have experience in the exercise and are familiar with the national park and there is 24/7 security at the national parks. Trekkers have to also follow all the rules and regulations to protect both the gorillas and themselves.

What to wear and bring for the habituation experience

When coming for the habituation experience, make sure that you cover up entirely well for the exercise. When it comes to clothes, avoid bringing brightly colored clothes, or camouflage clothes, but opt for colors grey, dark green, khakis and browns. Some of the critical things to bring for your habituation experience include the following:

• Waterproof rain jacket/coat
• Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers to protect yourself from scratches and insect bites
• Undershirts
• Packed lunch and a refillable water bottle
• A waterproof day backpack
• Hiking socks to protect your calves from insect bites
• Sun protection including a sunhat, sunglasses and insect repellent
• Thick gardening gloves to protect your hands during the trek as you grip different material
• A warm sweater/jumper or thermal jacket
• Trekking poles or sticks and can be got before the start of the exercise
• Adjustable gaiters to protect your feet and ankles dry.
• Insect repellent
• A first aid kit should also include prescribed medication from your physician.
• A camera and binoculars.

Other activities carried out in Rushaga

Besides gorilla habituation, gorilla trekking is another activity that is carried out in the Rushaga sector. Rushaga has 8 habituated gorilla families that are open for habituation, and the first step is to purchase the gorilla permit, which is $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for other African citizens and UGX300,000 for EAC citizens. Other activities include bird watching, cultural trips, guided nature walks and many more. All these activities can be carried out throughout the year and if you wish to participate in these other activities, you have to get in touch with the tour operator to be included in the itinerary and note that the extra activities come at an extra cost.

Best time for gorilla habituation in Rushaga

Rushaga sector in Bwindi can be visited all year round for gorilla habituation; however, the best time is during the dry months, June to September and December to February. The roads leading to the Rushaga sector are much easier to use during the dry months, and it is also easy to use the trek routes in this season. The wet season, March to May and October to November, is characterized by slippery and muddy routes. However, you should note that Uganda is located in the tropical zones, and the weather is interchangeable throughout the year, making it conducive to participate in the habituation process at any time of the year.

For more information about gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga, get in touch with us at Encounter Africa Safaris.