What is the difference between gorilla habituation and gorilla trekking?

The difference between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience starts with the cost of the permits for each activity. Currently, the cost of gorilla habituation permits for Uganda is $1500 for foreign non-residents, $1000 for foreign residents, and 750000shs for East Africans. The gorilla trekking permit for Uganda currently costs $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and 300000shs for East Africans.

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The cost of gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation permit covers ranger guide fees, park entrance fees, security on gorilla safari day, one hour of gorilla trekking or four hours of gorilla habituation experience, mountain gorilla conservation, certificate and researcher fee during gorilla habituation experience, government tax.

Another difference between gorilla habituation and trekking is the time spent with mountain gorillas. You can spend up to four hours with mountain gorillas during the gorilla habituation experience, while gorilla trekking allows only one hour.

While gorilla trekking starts at 8:30 am, the gorilla habituation experience begins very early at 6:30 am, so the starting time varies between the two experiences.

Where gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences are happening

Gorilla trekking can be done in Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R.Congo, whereas at the moment, gorilla habituation experience is happening in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Rwanda Volcanoes National Park, and D.R.Congo in Virunga National Park. The gorilla habituation experience only happens in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Time of gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience 

Only four hours are allowed with the mountain gorillas during the gorilla habituation experience, while only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas on the gorilla trekking safari. This time is minimized to reduce the effects of human presence before the mountain gorillas. The longer the mountain gorillas are closer to humans, the more chances of experiencing something that may breach the relationship forged with humans.

Characteristic of mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience 

During the gorilla habituation experience, tours encounter semi-habituated mountain gorillas in their natural setting. These primates sometimes showcase odd behavior like hooting, thumping their chests, running into hiding, and much more. During gorilla trekking, the tourists visit a fully habituated gorilla family, and these first undergo mocks to establish that they are fully ready to encounter humans. 

Gorilla habituation is a process where researchers monitor a wild gorilla family to help them get used to human presence without altering their nature. This process takes an unknown time, depending on how fast the gorilla family adopts. Gorilla habituation may take two years or more.

Number of gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience families

Uganda has more than 21 gorilla trekking families, Rwanda has 15 gorilla trekking families, and D.R.Congo has about six gorilla trekking families. In contrast, only two gorilla habituation families in Uganda are open.

Number of gorilla permits for gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience 

A maximum of 4 gorilla permits are allowed for gorilla habituation experience, meaning eight gorilla permits are currently open in Uganda daily. A maximum of 8 gorilla permits per gorilla family in Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R. Congo are available daily.

Similarities between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience 

The similarity between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation is that both need at least 3 days of gorilla safari in Uganda.

Gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience both happen once a day, so mountain gorillas are given time to deal with their day-to-day activities like feeding, grooming, combing, procreation, and much more.

When is the Best Time for a Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Habituation experience?

Gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience are all year-round safaris, but you need to book the gorilla permits in advance.

During the dry season, that is, June, July, August, September, December, and January, the conditions of the wilderness have less precipitation because more sunlight is let into the ground through the dense canopy. The mountain gorillas and other forest dwellers are full of life and can be seen easily. The trailheads are quicker to navigate even though rains fall at any time without warning.

The dry season is usually the peak tourism season, so many people demand gorilla permits for this season, yet they are limited to a maximum of 8 per gorilla family. It is challenging to find last-minute gorilla permit availability.

The low season of March, April, May, and November normally has low demand for gorilla permits. If you have a limited budget but have gorilla safari on your bucket list, try the low season. There usually are fewer gorilla safari bookings, and chances of discounts on logistics supporting the safari are more open.

No matter when you book the gorilla safari, you must possess a permit before confirming this tour; otherwise, chances of disappointment are open in both dry and wet seasons.

How difficult is Gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience safari?

The gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience are tiresome. This primate adventure happens in the Virunga area, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and D.R.Congo Virunga National Park. The topography of this area was affected by volcanic action, leading to the formation of plateaus and ridges where mountain gorillas spend their day at times.

To find the mountain gorillas, you may be required to hike to the slopes or deep in the valley, depending on where the daytime is spent.

One needs to bear some fitness level to maneuver and complete the search for the mountain gorillas. You can do pre-gorilla tour exercises, although you do not always have to be in the gym. Start with simple exercises to stretch your muscles.

Sedan chair service is available with pre-booking in case you are physically incapacitated.

How Long Is Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Habituation Experience?

For both gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences, the time to complete them is hard to determine. Some tourists have found the mountain gorillas within two hours from the starting time, while others have taken three-quarters of the day.

Open your mind to other exciting features in the wilderness as you search for the mountain gorilla. The mountain gorillas co-exist with other primates, an array of birds, including Albertine endemics, a variety of botanical plants, beautiful physical features like ridges, mountains, plateaus, and much more.

When you finally find the mountain gorillas, enjoy their presence in the one hour allowed with them or four hours of gorilla trekking. As you get away, do not leave any garbage and take nothing but memories and photos of your moments with the only leftover mountain gorillas.

Are mountain Gorillas aggressive during Gorilla Trekking or Gorilla Habituation Experience?

Mountain gorillas are not aggressive or dangerous despite their mistaken outlook. Physically, mountain gorilla bodies are covered with dark fur from head to toe; the walk-by-knuckle style has sunken brown eyes that can intimidate anyone at a glance.

In nature, mountain gorillas are calm, serene, and shy to the extent that they slip away into the forest when agitated. As you immerse into that time allowed with the mountain gorillas, you realize their vulnerability.

Meeting the mountain gorillas is a lifetime experience that may change your perception of them forever, and some tourists usually do not feel like departing from their presence. It is easy to fall in love with the adorable look of the mountain gorillas and their resemblance to humans.

This, however, doesn’t guarantee that you provoke the mountain gorillas because they can charge. The mountain gorillas may thump their shirts, hoot, pull grass around them, and much more drama when angry.

When you notice such behavior, try to stay calm as you wait for the ranger guide to establish the root cause of the matter. Follow the advice and actions done by the ranger guide in order not to escalate the situation. Sometimes, the mountain gorillas are provoked by fellow members and may try to tease these visitors because they also possess a sense of humor and much more.

What is the age limit for gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience?

Uganda lowered the gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation age limit to 15 years and over from 15 years and above. Rwanda and D.R.Congo still hold gorilla safari age limit of 15 years and above.

This age limit was set because gorilla safaris involve walking in the jungle with jugged topography covered with thick vegetation, which children below this age may not be capable of withstanding.

At a glance, the mountain gorillas may stimulate some adrenaline, which one has to contain, but children below this age limit may be unable to do this.

The time of finding the mountain gorillas is hard to determine, requiring one to bear some level of patience, which may be hard for children below this age.

How much is a gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation safari?

Generally, the gorilla permit cost is universal, regardless of your gorilla safari package. In Uganda, the gorilla trekking permit costs $800; in Rwanda, it costs $1500; and in D.R. Congo, it costs $450. For gorilla habituation experience, at the moment, the gorilla permit cost is $1500.

Other than the cost of the gorilla permit, other items we include in the gorilla safari quotation depend on the number of days to spend on gorilla safari, number of people joining the safaris, time of booking the gorilla safari, additional activities to combine a gorilla safari.

You must also select the gorilla safari package that fits your budget, as we package our safaris according to luxury, mid-range, and budget. Customer satisfaction is our top priority because we want you to feel the best of your encounter with the mountain gorillas and create everlasting memories.

Is gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience safe?

Yes, it is safe to do gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience as the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board have a well-trained team of ranger guides who are ready to protect the mountain gorillas, inhabitants of the forest, the forest, and visitors in the forest.

 Each gorilla safari group is escorted by at least two ranger guides, one holding a machete while another carries a rifle in case emergency action needs to be taken. They have a radio call to keep constant communication with security on the ground in case backup is needed.

As a tourist, you need to stay closer to fellow tourists to avoid being lost in the thick jungle, even though the ranger guide follows the paces of the slowest trekker.

What to pack for Gorilla Trekking And Gorilla Habituation Experience?

• Warm wear to put on early morning and late afternoon because it gets so cold you need to keep friendly as sometimes temperatures drop as low as 7 degrees centigrade.
• Insect repellant to keep away stinging insects that would harm you while walking to locate the mountain gorillas.
• Garden gloves protect your palms from stinging nettles and even rough surfaces you may land on when you trip and fall.
• Bug spray is in case your room is infected.
• Toiletries in case your skin is very sensitive or your lodge does not provide.
• Snacks to munch on in case you get hungry because breakfast is taken too early to last the entire time in the wilderness.
• A raincoat or poncho is used if it rains in the wilderness. This area receives rain at any time without warning.
• Wear long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt in the wilderness to protect your body from harsh conditions in the forest.
• A pair of stockings to tack in your trousers and protect your body from insects that would creep into your clothes.
• Safari boots can go through the soggy surfaces in the jungle as the wilderness is wet most of the time, and rivers overflow, especially in the severe rainy seasons.
• Safari hat to protect your hair from getting wet in case it rains, or dew drips off the leaves.
• Pajamas to wear in the night when getting to bed.
• Duffel bag to carry with your belongings, as you may get no help offloading or loading your bags.
• Flip flops to change into in case you come from gorilla trekking and are tired of wearing closed shoes.
• Some cash to exchange into local currency when purchasing anything locally.
• Clean Face masks to wear when standing before the mountain gorillas. This was adopted after the Covid-19 period. The mountain gorillas can be victims of this virus since they are susceptible to human infections because they have about 96% human DNA.
• A camera to take photos and protect memories of your experience during gorilla trekking. 
• A light, waterproof bag to carry with your gorilla trekking gear, and in case you hire a porter, they can collectively carry your bags. Even when you trip and fall, you lose none of your gears.

Are you interested in gorilla trekking or habituation experience? Contact us for more information.