What To Expect On A 5 Day Gorilla And Chimpanzee Habituation Experience Safari

During the 5 day gorilla and chimpanzee habituation experience safari expect to walk in the dense jungle for all these activities. Both gorilla and chimpanzee habituation experience safaris are so far happening in Uganda only with four hours allowed to be with these primates during this adventure. To confirm the gorilla and chimpanzee habituation experience, one must book a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority first.

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The best destinations in Uganda where to do gorilla or chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale National Park. These are some of the principal primates destinations in Uganda so expect to also encounter other primates other than the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.

During the 5 day gorilla and chimpanzee habituation safari in Uganda, expect to follow a team of researchers who have better information about either the chimpanzees or the mountain gorillas. The primates troops opened  for either chimpanzee or gorilla habituation experience are semi-habituated so expect them to behave in an odd way any time for example they may go into hiding during the adventure.

Where To Go For 5 Day Gorilla And Chimpanzee Habituation Safari

At the moment, Uganda is the most appropriates destination for chimpanzee and gorilla habituation experience destination but specifically in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla Habituation experience

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the gorilla habituation experience destination in Uganda so far. Currently about 4 gorillas families in the southern sector of the park are open for gorilla habituation adventure. The mountain gorillas family are semi-habituated and so still possess most of there natural characteristics.

During gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi forest, maximum 4 tourists are allowed to accompany a team of researchers to help find the mountain gorillas and have four hours with them. The way to the spot where the mountain gorillas may be spending the day may be challenging because of the rugged terrain but finally when you find the mountain gorillas you may forget the hardships.

Other than the mountain gorillas, Bwindi forest has accumulated a long list of fauna and flora as this is a tribute to the so many year of existence that the forest has survived that is more than 25,000 years. Bwindi forest is home to other 9 primate species, more than 350 bird species including Albertine endemics, 51 reptiles, 88 months, more than 310 butterfly species, over 88 mammals and may others.

All these forest inhabitants of Bwindi cannot be seen in one go but some may come through during search for the mountain gorillas.

Kibale National Park for chimpanzee Habituation experience (CHEX)

Kibale National Park is one of the leading primate safari destinations in Uganda with more than 1500 chimpanzees and chimpanzee habituation experience is not excluded. Chimpanzees habituation experience allows tourists to accompany Kibale researchers and habituators as they follow and put down information about the chimpanzees as their daily activity.

Four hours are allowed in the presence of these semi-habituated chimpanzees and during that moment, tourist may be requested to help with observing, collection samples and much more. This process helps the chimpanzees to get accustomed to human presence without altering there natural traits.

Kibale National Park is home to other primates including 12 primates species, more than 325 bird species, mammals and others. Kibale forest shares a migration corridor with Queen Elizabeth National Park of about 180 Kilometers to its northern part used by some wild animals to cross into the park so expect to encounter some including forest elephants, giant forest hogs and others

What To Expect On 5 Day Gorilla And Chimpanzee Habituation Experience Safari

Day 1 Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kampala or Entebbe which is at a distance of about 530 Kilometers and time on the road may take 8 to 9 hours excluding stopovers. Note that the roads up country are quite bumpy so expect some African massage. On the way, you may make some optional stopovers including a stop at the Equator, Mpambire drum village, lunch enroute.

Arriving the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is expected in the late evening to check into your facility. Expect extremely cold conditions around the park most of the time because no or mild sunshine is received in this area most of the time. The average temperature range of Bwindi area is 7 degree centigrade to 20 degrees centigrade.

Accommodation of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Nshongi Camp, Gorilla Safari lodge, Nkuringo guest house, Bwindi Backpacker’s Camp, Trekkers Tavern

Day 2 Gorilla Habituation experience in Bwindi

Rise up earlier for breakfast and carry your gorilla habituation gears to the ranger station for briefing. Do not forget your packed lunch because return time is hard to determine after the gorilla Habituation experience. After verifying your documents and briefing, tourists accompany in of the ranger guides and researchers, start the search for the gorilla family.

Do not forget that these gorillas still have there timid behavior so abide by the rules of the gorilla safaris to the best of your ability not to appear suspicious before them. Don’t expect a smooth walk because of the rugged and soggy terrain of this area which was affected by volcanic actions leading to the formation of a number of highlands.

In order not to loose the zeal to find the mountain gorillas, look out for other forest inhabitants including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons and others. A number of birds are residents of Bwindi forest and this is a double chance for keen birders to identify atleast about 100 bird species however, donot drag the paces. 

Finally, when you locate the mountain gorillas, four hours are allowed with them. You may be requested to help with collection samples, observing and taking notes about these primates and much more. Take as may photo as you can to keep as memories for the time with the mountain gorillas and after four hours, return to the lodge.

Day 3 Drive To Kibale National Park From Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The drive to Kibale National Park is about 367 kilometers drive time is about 6 to 7 hours. On the way, enjoy the scenic view of the numerous highlands of Kigezi sub region with its winding roads then arrive at Kibale National Park.

Check into your accommodation.

Accommodation Kibale National Park Primates lodge, Ndali lodge, Kibale Safari lodge, Chimps Nest, Chimpanzee Guest House, Kyaninga lodge

Day 4 Chimpanzee Habituation experience in Kibale National Park

After breakfast, head to the ranger station with your packed lunch and report for document verification at Sebitoli or Kanyanchu. After allocating you the chimpanzee community to visit, accompany the researchers and Habituators to embark on the search for the chimpanzees. Remember they are semi-habituated chimpanzees that are still skeptical about human presence. Expect these chimpanzees to run into hiding any time in case they note anything suspicious.

The trails in the Kibale forest normally have protruding undergrowth so wear safari attires that can protect you from the rough surfaces especially if you come across the stinging nettles. Keep your mind open to seeing other forest dwellers including more 12 primates that may cross your way including black and white colobus, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, vervet monkeys, pottos, l’hoest, bush babies and others.

Finally when you locate the chimpanzees, four hours are allowed but very memorable as you get to see the chimpanzees characters with no pressure, the grooming, playing, combing hair, feeding and much more. The Alpha male may communicate with the community in case they have to move so be very obedient with the new instruction given.

Take as many photos and enjoy each moment with the chimpanzees as it unfolds without forgetting to abide by the rules of chimpanzee safaris in Uganda. Get Back to the lodge to wind and unwind from the moments experience with the chimpanzees who are the closest human relatives.

Day 5 Departure Day

After the gorilla and chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda, drive back to Entebbe or Kampala for your back home flight.

What is the cost of the 5 Day Gorilla and chimpanzee Habituation Safari

The cost of the 5 day gorilla and chimpanzee habituation experience safari package is categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic. The cost of the gorilla and chimpanzee permits cuts across all these budgets.  

At the moment the cost of the gorilla habituation experience permit in Uganda is $ 1500 for international nonresidents, $ 1000 for International residents, $ 1000 for other Africans and 750000shs for East Africans.

The current cost of chimpanzee habituation experience permit for Uganda is $300 for international nonresidents, $250 for International residents, 250,000 shs for East Africans.  Remember first come first served method is applied when booking the gorilla and chimpanzee habituation permits in Uganda.

The cost of the gorilla and chimpanzee habituation experience permits include four hours with the gorillas or chimpanzees, ranger guide fees, conservation fees, security, park entrance fees and others.

Other costs that may form part of the gorilla and chimpanzee habituation safari package include accommodation, transport, driver guide fee and others. The cost of all these safari logistics vary with category.

Can I Purchase The Gorilla Or Chimpanzee Habituation Experience Permits Instalment

Yes, the Uganda Wildlife Authority offers chance to purchase the gorilla or chimpanzee habituation experience permits in instalments  of 30% and 70% respectively. This is on condition that you reserve the permit before 90 days to the date for which it is booked and to up before 90 days to this date.

Failure to adhere to the gorilla or chimpanzee permit instalment purchase terms and conditions may end in re-opening the permit to the public without notifying you.

Who Can Do Gorilla And Chimpanzee Habituation Experience Safari In Uganda

The gorilla and chimpanzee habituation experience safari is open to ant tourist aged 12 years and beyond. This is to enable children to start appreciating nature and embrace the need to conserve it for the future.

During the search for the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, tourists move in the forest which is quite rough so a child below 12 years may not be in position to adhere to the circumstances in the wilderness.

Both chimpanzees and mountain gorillas looks intimidating at first sight especially for a child who may not have had the chance to be up close with them before. This may cause the cause anxiety yet these primates are very suspicious with strangers who act strangely before them thus may run into hiding.

How sure can one be to see the chimpanzees and mountain gorillas during the gorilla and chimpanzee habituation experience

Finding the chimpanzees or mountain gorillas is about 99% guarantee because even though they are semi-habituated habituated, they are slight used to human presence. All tourists are requested to do is abide by the rules of gorilla and chimpanzee habituation experience.

Before tourists are allowed to visit the chimpanzee or gorilla habituation troop, there is a team that tracks them and notes the mood they may be in. The trackers communicate with the rangers leading the tourists so that they do not have to move with no direction but however, it is not a guarantee that you will find the chimpanzees or gorillas in the same location although they do not move very far from there.

Tourists are requested to also participate in tracing the way about of the chimpanzees or mountain gorillas using the clues they leave behind including fresh dung, freshly chewed foliage, listen carefully and much more. This is part of the puzzle for the gorilla or chimpanzee habituation experience.

Chimpanzees and mountain gorilla troops usually stay in a particular feeding area for as long as there is enough to support them all. Even when they move, they do not move very far from the previous spot so such clues are used to find them.

By abiding by the rules of gorilla and chimpanzee habituation experience, be sure to get to where the chimpanzees and mountain gorillas may be.

Contact us for more information and bookings.