Do
you love gorilla safaris? Do you know the difference between Gorilla trekking
and Gorilla Habituation Experience? Well, traveling to either Uganda or Rwanda to
see the critically endangered mountain gorillas is some thing that every
visitor yearns to achieve in life. However, many visitors face great challenge when it comes to distinguishing between Gorilla trekking and Gorilla Habituation Experience
hence a critical factor in decision making especially on tourism products in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
National Park. Besides the famous gorilla trekking that has
captured the eyes of most tourists in the world, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
National Park has also launched Gorilla Habituation Experience one of the spectacular products for visitors to spark imaginations with the world star
attractions the “rare mountain gorillas.” In case you are planning your trip to
Uganda, it is important to consider not only gorilla trekking but also Gorilla
Habituation Experience in order to have a life time experiences. Gorilla trekking
was introduced in 1993 in the Northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with
its ancient Mubare Habituation Gorilla Group while Gorilla Habituation Experience
was launched recently in 2015, South of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest-Rushaga. These two remarkable tourism products tend to
confuse visitors but we can help you to understand them.
MIST AT BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST |
Below
is comparison between Gorilla trekking and Gorilla Habituation Experience. We hope
this will be of help to you as you plan your gorilla safari to Uganda.
TREK AND HABITUATE MOUNTAIN GORILLA |
The cost of gorilla permits
If
you are interested in partaking gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda, the permit
costs $600 during the peak season. This price applies to visitors who wish to track
the mountain gorillas from the months of June to September and December to
February. It is during these months that gorilla tracking or trekking is said to be at its
peak season in Uganda and several tourists travel to Bwindi Impenetrable
Forest National Park a reason why the price for the gorilla permit remains at
$600. During the low season the price for the gorilla permit costs $450
especially from the months of March to May, October to November. The gorilla
permit is very vital in for Gorilla trekking and Gorilla Habituation Experience
because it is what allows the visitors to interact with the mountain gorillas. These gorilla
permits also include costs on park entrance, tour guide who will be there to
make your trek fantastic. However, price for gorilla trekking is relatively
cheaper. Whereas Gorilla Habituation Experience, the cost of gorilla permit goes
at $1500 per person and this caters for the same costs like it is in gorilla
trekking but the difference is a visitor is accompanied by Researchers whose
duty is to habituate the wild mountain gorillas. Remember gorilla permit gives
visitors over 95% golden opportunity to stare into the eyes of these impressive
creatures. Get your permit and share your experiences with the rest of world
because a handful of experts have managed to see these world stars in their
jungle!
GORILLA PERMITS ARE ONLY $600 AND $1500 |
To book the gorilla permit
The
gorilla permit for habituation experience can be obtained on the ground whereas
for gorilla trekking can be obtained at any authorized tour operator and in
this case you can consult Maranatha Tours and Travel to help you book your
permit in advance from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) head offices in Kampala.
The time spent in gorilla trekking
and habituation experience
The
cost of the gorilla permit is worth rewarding the senses with spark of
imaginations mostly with the majestic mountain gorillas once in a life time as you
spend only 1 hour with them during the trek. Depending on the Habituated Gorilla Group that will be assigned to you, but in normal cases visitors spend
from 30 minutes to three quarters of the trek while looking for these
astonishing wild creatures in their habitat. On the other hand, never miss to get an incredible experience during Gorilla Habituation Experience because visitors have all the 4
hours to be with the mountain gorillas in their wilderness, some thing that
rewards beyond what you expected in life. If you are not on hurry and you want
to spend much time or to explore the reality about the
mountain gorillas, then consider Gorilla Habituation
Experience in your list of experiential gorilla adventures to be encountered in Uganda. One most important thing to note is that Gorilla Habituation
Experience is an all day experience that visitors have to spend while
habituating the mountain gorillas with the researchers. This is an amazing experience
indeed for scientists or researchers to grab to help them explore more on the
feeding, nesting, mating and other unique features of the mountain gorillas in their wilderness.
SILVERBACK GORILLA |
Where to go for gorilla trekking
and gorilla habituation experience
Gorilla
trekking can be perfectly done within the 4 trail-heads of Buhoma, Nkuringo,
Ruhija and Rushaga in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Visitors are
assigned one of the habituated gorilla groups that are set for tourism purposes in any of the
four trail-heads. However, for Gorilla Habituation Experiences you will be at
Rushaga area because it is the only place for you to inspire the senses. At Rushaga,
there are only 2 gorilla groups that are set for visitors to do Gorilla
Habituation Experience and this takes place in Bushaho and Biking. You should
also bear in mind that only 4 persons are allowed to go for Gorilla Habituation
Experience hence only 2 groups are allowed per day and there is no crowding unlike for gorilla trekking only 8 people are allowed to trek one gorilla family each day.
MOUNTAIN GORILLAS AT BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST |
In
conclusion, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park has got diverse opportunities for
visitors to achieve their dreams on gorilla safaris. Visitors can now choose to
do Gorilla trekking or Gorilla Habituation Experience where they will be acclimatize
the mountain gorillas to human presence. Gorilla Habituation Experience is only found in Uganda, no where else in the world! However, if you fail to trek the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, then never miss to be at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for you to get fascinating gorilla experiences. Enjoy your gorilla safaris in Uganda!