GORILLA TREKKING VS GORILLA HABITUATION: ULTIMATE GUIDE

Uganda the pearl of Africa is a recognized thrilling destination for gorilla safaris. This is because Uganda is home to half of the world’s population of gorillas though they can still be traced in other countries.  Gorillas can be seen in these three popular countries that is Uganda, Rwanda and democratic republic of Congo.

Though gorillas can be seen in many countries, Uganda still becomes number one in being the unique destination for gorilla viewing. This is so because Uganda is the only country that offers a chance to do gorilla habituation at Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. An experience that will give you four hour to spend with gorillas while being introduced to the human being presence.

In this article we are going to compare both gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation and also see their difference.

GORILLA TREKKING

What does gorilla trekking mean?

Gorilla trekking refers to a wildlife activity that involves hiking through the dense forests in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking commences with a briefing at the park main head quarters, where you are told about the dos and don’ts while you are with the mountain gorillas.

After the briefing, you will join a group of 8 people to go and search for these gorillas and upon meeting them only one hour is offered to you to spend with them. While trekking the gorillas you will be able to look at the different bird species, monkey species, tree species and many more

GORILLA HABITUATION

What is gorilla habituation?

Gorilla habituation refers to the process of introducing mountain gorillas to human presence for care, research and conservation purposes.

Furthermore, gorilla habituation may be described as an activity that allows tourists spend time with a group of researchers while with the gorillas in the jungle. During this time, you be learning more about gorilla interactions and their way of life

There are various people involved in gorilla habituation for instance trackers, conservationists, researchers, and the park rangers. To fully habituate these gorillas to become friendly (used) to human presence usually lasts for 2 to 3 years.

THE GORILLA HABITUATION EXPERIENCE

Gorilla habituation experience start with a briefing in the morning at the park headquarters. In Uganda gorilla habituation is usually carried out from Rushaga, the sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Currently it is only place across east Africa where gorilla habituation is done.

The activity starts with a briefing that gives tourists detailed information about the rules and regulations to follow while in the forest. The maximum number of tourists allowed to habituate a gorilla family at time is 4 people.

While in the jungle, you will learn how these trackers lay strategies to find a group of gorillas and endeavor that you have a thrilling experience. If you are loaded with many equipment you can seek for help from the porter. Hiring a porter is a way of giving back to the community.

Upon meeting the gorillas, you will have enough time to observe them, tell you more information about the gorilla family visited, study about them and know everything about them compared to the gorilla trekking experience that grants one hour. This is so because the activity last for 4 hours unlike gorilla trekking that last for one hour and you are a group of 4 people instead of 8 people that are allocated per family during the trekking

WHERE IS GORILLA HABITUTION OFFERED?

Gorilla habituation is only offered in Bwindi Impenetrable national park (Uganda). Bwindi is the best destination for gorilla trekking safaris in the whole world because it resides half of the world population of gorillas. However, you still need to note that gorilla habituation is only offered in one sector of Bwindi that is Rushaga sector. Therefore, booking your gorilla habituation permit on time is mandatory to as the permits are very limited.

AGE LIMIT FOR GORILLA HABITUATION AND GORILLA TREKKING

Gorilla habituation like any other activity it has an age limit. Children below 15 years are not allowed to experience gorilla habituation. This is because gorilla shares over 90 percent of human DNA and are vulnerable to air borne diseases that normally affect the young children and it hard for the young children to abide rules and regulations and control themselves in time of challenges like in case the gorilla charges. So, for the safety of gorillas and that of the young ones, stopping from going to the jungle for gorilla trekking was decided. However, if you are on family trip children can be allowed to engage in other activities

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GORILLA TREKKING AND HABITUATION

There are many factors you need to acknowledge that differentiate gorilla trekking from gorilla habituation. Here are some of key differences between these two activities that you need to know before deciding on which one to engage in.

TIME TAKEN FOR VIEWING

This is one of the main factors to consider while deciding whether to go for gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation.  Gorilla trekking will offer you only one hour with the gentle giants in their natural habitats while taking photos as you are observing their social interactions and behaviors. This one hour will be a once in lifetime experience with the great apes of east Africa.

While

Gorilla habituation usually takes four hours. The four hours usually include making vast research about the gorillas, see them carry out their own activities such as feeding if lucky you can see them giving birth and many more. This activity is carried out alongside the researchers and educationist as gorillas are just getting introduced to the presence of human in their natural habitats

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

The number of participants per gorilla group per day during gorilla trekking is the maximum of 8 people. This is so to ensure that the safety of gorillas is protected. But also, to ensure that the quality of experience enjoyed by the participant is the top-notch experience

While.

On gorilla habituation, the gorilla family will be allocated only 4 people per day. This will greatly improve the quality of experience as you will have enough good spot to take photos but also have enough time to ask which ever question you would like to ask the team of expert that you will be with in the jungle.

The difference in prices: gorilla trekking vs gorilla habituation

Price is among the key factors to consider while comparing gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation. There is a significant difference in prices of gorilla trekking permit and that of gorilla habituation but also the difference in prices come with a significant difference in the experience.

In Uganda, the gorilla trekking permit goes for 800 US dollars and can be bought from Uganda wildlife authority through your tour agent like vacation safaris. These permits can be trekked from one of the four Bwindi national park sectors, or you can choose to book a permit to trek the one gorilla family that is found in Mgahinga national park.

For Rwanda gorilla permit that can be trekked at volcanoes national park, the permit goes for 1500 US Dollars and can be bought from Rwanda development board. These two bodies are responsible for setting the rules and regulations governing the gorilla trekking experience.

O the other hand, gorilla habituation permits goes for 1500 US Dollars which is a difference of 700 US Dollars in price compared to the trekking price in Uganda but the same price as that of gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

PERMIT AVAILABILITY: GORILLA TREKKING VS GORILLA HABITUATION

You should also consider the availability of the permits.  Gorilla habituation permits tend to be always available compared to the e gorilla trekking permits. This is because many tourists tend to participate in gorilla trekking because its a bit less costly compared to the habituation process so always book your gorilla trekking permit in advance.

However, you are still advised to always pay for your permit in time to enable your tour operator book in advance for you regardless of whether its gorilla trekking or habituation.

EXPERT VIEW OF GORILLA TREKKING VS GORILLA HABITUATION

For those seeking for the best experience that offers enough knowledge and information about the gorillas, gorilla habituation is the best option.  This is because gorilla habituation fully immerses you in learning and have detailed information about the gorillas compared to gorilla trekking.

Gorilla habituation requires a large team while carrying it and grants tourists with enough time to enjoy this experience (4 hours). If lucky, tourists can still have an opportunity to also to view the doctor forest call, all in all gorilla habituation offers a lot to tourists compared to gorilla trekking.

Gorilla habituation still offers extensive and prior understanding of gorillas thus making it a very out standing activity since it connects tourists deeply with these magnificent creatures. The thing is that habituation offers enough time to tourists compared to trekking.

WHAT TO WEAR FOR YOUR GORILLA TREKKING OR HABITUATION EXPERIENCE

The wearing attires usually don’t differ a lot since gorilla trekking and habituation have some similar characteristics.

Please select clothes with no bright colours. Pick clothes with colours like grey, brown, Khaki and other dull colours. You also need to carry your hiking boots, long sleeved Clothings, rain jackets, sweater and many more.

Things to pack.

Insect repellents.

Thick gloves.

Safe drinking water.

Binoculars.

Cameras.

Sun hats and sunscreens.

The above are some of the requirements to pack while going for either gorilla trekking or habituation process. However, you should know that there are other requirements to pack.

Every tourist would love to take part in the gorilla habituation process because it offers enough time, research while you are with these great apes in their jungle though either trekking or habituation will depend on one’s desires.

Our top gorillas trekking and habituation Uganda safari packages

The 10 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Tour starts and ends in Kampala. It will take you to Uganda’s un-spoilt wildlife destinations to experience Nature at its best. Explore all the best Uganda has to offer to tourists in the tropic Africa. Major tour activities in this tour include game drives in hunt for some of the “Big 5” (African Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, and Elephant), birding, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, Cultural tours, nature walks and fantastic launch cruise among others.

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The 10 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla and Wildlife Tour starts and ends in Kampala. It will take you to Uganda’s un-spoilt wildlife destinations to experience Nature at its best. Explore all the best Uganda has to offer to tourists in the tropic Africa. Major tour activities in this tour include game drives in hunt for some of the “Big 5” (African Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, and Elephant), birding, gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, chimpanzee tracking

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The 6 days Rwanda-Uganda Gorilla Safari takes you to Parc National des Volcans, also known as Volcanoes National Park, located to Northern Rwanda. It is a home African Mountain Gorillas. Later, we shall cross to Uganda for another gorilla trek in Mgahinga or Bwindi Impenetrable forest. The tour involves 2 gorilla treks, nature walk, hike to Dina Fossey’s graves and birding. on this trip you will be able to enter the two east African countries while searching for the gentle giants of Africa

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