What is the difference between Gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation? The main difference between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation is that gorilla trekking involves trekking, tracking and watching gorillas that are already used to humans (Habituated), while gorilla habituation involves trekking, tracking and watching gorillas that are not yet fully used to humans (undergoing habituation).
Other distinct differences between Gorilla trekking and Gorilla Habituation include;
Duration of the activity
Gorilla trekking is a shorter experience, usually lasting about one hour, while gorilla habituation is a longer experience, usually lasting about four hours.
The Level of Involvement & the Experience:
Gorilla trekking only allows visitors to spend 01-hour with the gorillas, while gorilla habituation is more involving and allows visitors to spend more time – 04 hours with a group of wild gorillas. Gorilla trekking allows visitors to observe gorillas in their natural environment, while gorilla habituation allows visitors to witness the habituation process and learn about gorilla behaviour.
Permits
Gorilla trekking permits are less expensive than gorilla habituation permits.
Gorilla trekking permits cost;
- Foreign Non-residents – $800 per person/permit.
- Foreign Residents – $800 per person/permit.
- East Africans – Ugx300,000 per person/permit.
- Africans from the Rest of Africa – $500 per person/permit.
Gorilla Habituation permits cost;
- Foreign Non-residents – $1,500 per person/permit.
- Foreign Residents – $1,000 per person/permit.
- East Africans – Ugx750,000 per person/permit.
- Africans from the Rest of Africa – $1,000 per person/permit.
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GorillasGorilla trekking involves observing a fully habituated gorilla family, while gorilla habituation involves observing semi-habituated gorillas.
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Physical fitnessGorilla habituation treks are longer and require a higher level of physical fitness.
Gorilla habituation is a process where researchers monitor a wild gorilla family to help them get used to human presence. This process can take two years or more.
