There are two amazing adventure activities that involve visitors hiking in the impenetrable jungles of Bwindi to see the mountain gorillas. At times, visitors are confused with which adventure to take on during their safaris to Bwindi in Western Uganda. Here we try to compare gorilla habituation with gorilla tracking.
Would you like to opt for gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi impenetrable forest in Uganda? Below is a comparison between the two experiences in Uganda that will allow you to choose what is right for you.
Both Adventures Explained
Gorilla trekking is the most popular adventure taken in the ancient rain forest of Bwindi. This activity involves hiking into the forest and watching of the mountain gorillas for up to one hour. This activity was developed along guidelines of ecotourism. Elsewhere this activity is done in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda.
Gorilla Habituation is a new activity developed in Bwindi Impenetrable national park. This adventure involves hiking in the wild jungles of Bwindi and watching the mountain gorillas for a period of up to 4 hours.
What is the Best Activity to Undertake?
What is the right activity for me financially? For many tourists, their choices narrow down to the amount of money it takes and there is a difference in price between the two activities. The permits for gorilla trekking in Uganda are at $600. On the other hand, gorilla habituation costs USD 1500 per perosn. This means that gorilla trekking is cheaper by US$900 than gorilla habituation. The permit for the gorilla habituation is at $1500 per person. The difference $900 for many is worth it since you have more time with the gentle giants of the forests.
Over 60% of the tourists choose Habituation over trekking because of the extras one receives while with the gorillas on the habituation Experience. The same rules also apply to gorilla habituation however distance from the gorillas is in the rules but is mostly violated by gorillas and not humans.
A normal gorilla trek is 3 hours and depending on the group that you are to track while gorilla habituation experience is longer. You are with the gorillas for 4 hours plus the time it takes to hike in and out to where the group is located that day. The location of any group depends up to 1 kilometre a day and the pre trackers are out at the crack of dawn of finding the location of the group you will be with on that day.
1 hour with the mountain gorillas is a worthwhile experience, while 4 hours with the family of gorillas is an ultimate dream. Those who love taking up close pictures of the gentle giants of the forest prefer the experience of habituation.
The Normal trek takes 8 participants on the activity while the habituation Experience trek takes only 4 participants, this means that the experience is going to be exclusive for you. You will also learn more about the gorillas, their ways, and habits, daily routines from the researchers and trackers that will join you on your trek. Not only are there very few participants, there are also few porters, staff, support staff, which gives you more time to focus on what you came for. There have been many words of thanks from participants in the Habituation experience that is only offered in Uganda. It’s not offered in Rwanda or DRC. It’s a very unique activity offered in Uganda.
The Gorilla habituation takes places in Rushaga area of Bwindi impenetrable Forest since trekking is mainly carried out from Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, Rushaga areas of the park. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is in one location and in Uganda, it’s from 5 locations inside Bwindi Impenetrable National park as well as Mgahinga gorilla park, Rushaga and Nuringo can be reached from Kigali, Rwanda is 3 hours while it takes so longer to travel to the Buhoma Or Ruhija Area of Bwindi impenetrable National park. The sector of Rushaga and Nkuringo are the most convenient locations if you are to fly from Kigali Rwanda, from here there is 3 hour drive to the southern areas of Bwindi impenetrable Forest.
Gorilla habituation experience since it was started, its inception has been a famous activity with our clients, Over 60% of those who want to see the mountain gorillas in the wild choose gorilla habituation adventure over the common Gorilla trekking. Their main reason is the time that is spent with the gorilla family in habituation experience verses Gorilla trekking and these like being with those that are involved in the Habituation process, the knowledge and insights they get from them is so rewarding. The cost is not the main factor since the tourists who choose the habituation experience want a kind of activity that they can be part of where there are only 4 participants and it’s a learning experience.
There are some mythologies in regards to the habituation experience and the two gorilla families are very used to the Humans and have been habituated for over two years, you are as close to them as you are during a gorilla trek, the gorillas may however get closer than the rules call for since they don’t own internet.
