Gorilla habituation experience is the act of training wild mountain Gorillas to become used to the sight of people. In this process, different groups of people come together, join knowledge and train these wild gorillas to get used to human being. These are people like trackers, conservationists, researchers and rangers who keep on visiting an identified wild gorilla group on a daily basis.
Gorilla habituation training takes a period of 2 to 3 years to be completed. After the training and researchers under Uganda Wildlife Authority are certain with the wild gorillas, a mock excise is done by some people like journalists and scientist to these gentle giants, if they pass this exercise, they are given names then it is okay that they can interact very well with human being and are also given names therefore at the end of the day a gorilla group is available for visitors to interact with.
In Uganda, Gorilla habituation experience takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park at Rushaga sector, and it allows a maximum number of 4 people each day, but you can interact with these gentle giants for four hours – to a full day depending on one’s energy and ability unlike Gorilla tracking which is restricted to only 1 hour. During this process, people get to understand Gorillas deeper and individually, know their behaviors, likes and dislikes.
Gorilla family Groups in Each sector of Bwindi
- Buhoma : (Habinyanja, Mubare, and Rushegura) in the Northern section
- Ruhija : ( Bitukura, Kyaguriro and Oruzogo) in the Eastern Part
- Rushaga : (Busingye, Bweza, Kahungye, Nshonji and Mishaya,)
- Nkuringo Gorilla Family all in the south
Accommodation in Bwindi Park while on Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari
- Luxury: Chameleon hill Lodge
- Midrange: Rushaga gorilla camp
- Budget: Nshongi campsite
Gears for Gorilla habituation experience / what to pack.
- Hiking boots
- Pair of binoculars
- Hat and sunglasses
- Cameras and extra battery
- Porters for your gorilla trek
- Gardening gloves
- Insect repellent
- Rain jacket
- Long sleeved shirts
- Bottles of water