A new exciting activity has been introduced in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has launched gorilla habituation as a new adventure that travelers can enjoy in the Rushaga Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
According to UWA, the activity is to be restricted to only 8 tourists and there is a gorilla group in Rushaga that has been set aside for those taking this eco-venture.
What is Gorilla Habituation
Gorilla Habituation is the process through which the gorillas get used to human presence. In order to become habituated to the presence of tourists, each gorilla group has undergone an extremely delicate process, lasting around five years, gradually getting accustomed to the presence of humans.
Park rangers start off by spending a short period of time with the gorillas every day, at a certain distance that represents the limit of the gorillas’ comfort zone. As the years go by, they gradually increase the time and reduce the distance until they deem the gorillas ready for paying clients to visit them. The gorilla habituation experience for the first time allows paying clients to participate in this process.
The activity involves tourists following the activities of the mountain gorillas throughout the day. Unlike gorilla trekking where gorilla viewing is restricted to an hour, on a gorilla habituation experience, tourists move with researchers and follow these great apes for four hours learning about how they spend their day. Therefore tourists will spend more time with the amazing gentle giants!
The activity costs US$1500. Though this activity is still at mock up stage, you can book this adventure through a knowledgeable tour operator or at the Rushaga Post in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Introduced in 2015 gorilla habituation is available for a very limited duration of only 2-3 years.
Please note that the activity is limited to two gorilla families in the Rushaga Sector within the southern part of Bwindi Forest, Bukingyi and Bushaho.
Also due to the steep terrain, dense vegetation and high altitudes a high level of fitness is required.