Rushaga Gorilla Habituation Experience – Bwindi impenetrable forest park
The Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda is a unique gorilla trekking experience that allows tourists to enjoy up to 04-hours in the company of a wild Gorilla family still undergoing habituation. Unlike the traditional 01-hour Gorilla trekking experience which admits 08 tourists, gorilla habituation strictly admits only 06 individuals – thus making it an exclusive Gorilla Experience. However, the Permits to spend 04-hours with a group of wild gorillas don’t come cheap. Gorilla Habituation permits cost $1,500 per person…..slightly double the price for normal gorilla trekking where permits only cost $800 per person.
Is gorilla habituation worth the cost?
The Gorilla Habituation experience is surely costly, but the experience is worth every penny spent after you encounter these gentle giants of the Impenetrable tropical forests of Bwindi. Remember Gorilla habituation is a very closed group of only 04 persons/tourists allowed to track a family every day. You get to enjoy ample photography space, more time around the gorillas, and a much more up-close environment.
Gorilla habituation is currently being conducted in Nkuringo and Rushaga areas. The groups in these areas are Bishaho (Nkuringo) and Bikingi (Rushaga).
How does Rushaga Gorilla Habituation Experience compare to gorilla trekking?
- You are 04 hours with the Mountain Gorillas instead of 01 hour. Your day starts at 7:00 am at Rushaga Park Headquarters and you return in the late afternoon. Your day begins with a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority Staff and the Research – Habituation Team.
- Only two Groups are being habituated and they are the Bikingi and Bushaho Gorilla Families.
- The number of visitors allowed per day is limited to 4 participants per group compared with 8 for normal Gorilla Trekking visits in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
- 4 hours with a Gorilla Family being habituated instead of 1 hour. The four hours do not include the time it takes hiking in and out from the Gorilla Group being habituated making it an all-day experience.
- The same Requirement – Rules and Etiquette apply to the Gorilla Habituation Experience as it does to the Gorilla Trekking.
- In regards to what to wear on a Gorilla Habituation Experience – the same suggestions apply to Gorilla Trekking.
- The price for a Habituation Permit is US$1500 per person for 4 hours with the Mountain Gorillas compared to US$800 for a Gorilla Trek Permit.
How do i book my Rushaga gorilla Habituation Experience Permit?
- A minimum Age of 15 years applies as it does for normal Gorilla Trekking in Uganda.
- We will book your Gorilla Habituation Experience permit(s) – Rushaga Area – Bwindi Forest for you in your name at US$1,500 per person through Uganda Wildlife Authority and the warden of the Rushaga; We will let you know within one working day as to availability of the Mountain Gorilla Habituation permit.
- Bookings for Rushaga Gorilla Habituation Experience permits must be done well in advance due to the limited number of participants allowed each day ( only 4 persons) and the interest in the activity by Visitors to Uganda.
- Passport information is required for the permit as it is for Gorilla Trekking
- The permit cost includes the park entrance fees for the day.
Where do I stay while doing the Rushaga gorilla habituation experience?
We recommend that you stay in the Rushaga area to save you from waking up 01 (one) hour ahead of your schedule just to drive to Rushaga for gorilla habituation and again back to your lodge after your full-day gorilla habituation experience.
Options include;
- Upmarket – Gorilla Safari Lodge – from US$200 pp sharing – Full Board – large rooms facing the forest.
- Affordable mid-range to Budget – Rushaga Gorilla Camp – US$200 pp Full Board – Virunga Terrace rooms.
