Gorilla Experience
Gorilla Habituation
Gorilla Habituation is the process of helping wild gorillas get used to humans by slowly introducing them to people, so they feel more at ease around visitors
Habituating the Mountain Gorillas
Uganda is home to about half of the world’s mountain gorillas, making it one of the best places to see these amazing animals. Gorilla trekking in Uganda offers a unique chance to see gorillas up close in their natural surroundings.
On a regular gorilla trek, you can spend up to one hour with these gentle giants. This is possible because the gorillas have been slowly introduced to humans, a process that takes 2 to 5 years. This careful process is essential for studying, caring for, and protecting the gorillas.
If you want to play a bigger role in helping protect these incredible animals, you can join rangers and conservationists in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as they work with two gorilla families in a process called habituation.
During a habituation trek, you can spend up to 4 hours with the gorillas, getting a deeper connection with these intelligent and emotional animals. It’s a truly humbling experience and vital for the gorillas' ongoing protection.
Gorilla Trekking vs Gorilla Habituation Experience
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is an incredible adventure that takes you on a hike through dense forests to find a family of gorillas that are already used to human presence. With a standard gorilla trek, you'll spend up to one hour observing these amazing creatures up close.
Gorilla habituation experience offers even more time. It allows you to spend up to four hours with a gorilla group that’s still getting accustomed to human contact. This unique experience is only available in the Rushaga sector, located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
When it comes to permits, a standard gorilla trek costs around $700, while the gorilla habituation experience costs $1,500.
Because the gorillas in the habituation experience are still in the process of becoming familiar with humans, this activity offers a rare chance to observe them in a more natural, unguarded state. It’s a safe adventure and gives you more time to capture incredible photos and observe gorilla behaviors and social interactions in detail
What to Expect on a Gorilla Habituation Trek
The first part of any gorilla trek in Uganda is a walk into the forest with experienced guides and scouts, looking for signs that gorillas have left behind.
The best clue that you’re close is finding the gorillas' nest from the previous night. It might take up to 6 hours, or even longer, to locate a gorilla family.
Once you find them, you can spend up to 4 hours observing the gorillas. This special experience gives you a rare glimpse into their lives.
But keep in mind that 4 hours can feel long, so consider if the habituation experience is right for you.
As you watch the gorillas interacting closely within their families, you’ll start to notice similarities between them and us – the resemblances are often surprising and inspiring.
