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4 Days Gorilla Trek Uganda & Habituation

From AUD $4,762 per person 4 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking

4 day gorilla tracking and habituation in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Trip Overview

Participating in both gorilla tracking and gorilla habituation is absolutely fantastic offering different experiences to those who choose to do it. The demand for habituation permits is so high since only 4 permits are issued per day, unlike with the regular trekking where 8 permits are issued per group. The habituation experience is highly recommended for photographers and wildlife researchers.

You can spend 4 hours with the semi-habituated gorillas and only one hour with the habituated groups. While this sounds great, do remember that the semi-habituated group can be far less relaxed while the habituated groups are more likely to be relaxed, giving you the true experience of interacting with the gorillas in their normal setting.

Remember to carry a walking stick from the briefing point and gardening gloves are essential. Gaiters are not necessary but can be useful in avoiding your bootlaces from being caught by the thick undergrowth. At least 2 litres of water, packed lunch and snacks are advisable. Porters are of great help and highly recommended since we can’t guarantee how the terrain will be during tracking.

Why this safari works

This trip gives you two different gorilla experiences in the southern sector of Bwindi: a standard trek with one hour beside a habituated family, then a habituation day in Rushaga with up to four hours in the presence of a group still getting used to people. It suits photographers and anyone who wants more time with gorillas than a single trek allows. A night at Lake Bunyonyi and a morning boat ride among its islands give a quieter finish before the drive back to Kampala.

Highlights

  • Gorilla trekking with one hour beside a habituated family
  • Gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga with four hours in the gorillas' presence
  • Boat ride around the islands of Lake Bunyonyi
  • Equator stop on the drive south-west
  • Chance of zebras and impalas near Lake Mburo on the way

Your route

  1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Rushaga) Uganda · 2 nights
  2. Lake Bunyonyi Uganda · 1 night
  3. Kampala Uganda · Departure

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day1
    Zebras grazing in green woodland, Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda

    Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Park

    A representative from Insight Safari Holidays will pick you from your accommodation at 7am, brief you about your habituation safari and off to Bwindi. It is approximately 540km, a 9-hour drive to the Southern Sector. The drive is quite long but worth it with much more to see on the way, you may even see the zebras and impalas grazing in Lake Mburo Park. You will have a stopover at the equator for photography and the experiment and another stopover in Mbarara town for lunch.

    Continue with your tour arriving at your accommodation in the evening. Overnight at a hotel.

    • Drive to Bwindi
    • Hotel near Bwindi
  2. Day2
    Gorilla trekkers walking through dense green forest, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

    Gorilla Tracking Day

    After breakfast, you will go to the park headquarters for briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides. After the briefing, the rangers will lead you into the thick impenetrable forest to start your search for the endangered rare species of Mountain Gorillas. The gorilla search always continues from the place where they were last seen the previous day. Upon reaching the area where these famous species are, you will only be allowed to interact with them for one hour and you should always keep maximum silence while with these gorillas. You are allowed to take photographs. To find the gorillas, it can take you almost 3 to 8 hours to find them. However, once you meet these gorillas, you will easily forget the hardships you have gone through to find them and instead save the good memories you will experience with them. After the interaction, you may choose to take a community walk or simply relax. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.

    • Gorilla trekking
    • Hotel near Bwindi
    • Breakfast, dinner
  3. Day3
    Silverback gorilla profile in dense vegetation, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

    Gorilla Habituation Day

    Gorilla habituation experience happens in the Southern Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park called Rushaga. After breakfast, the driver guide will transfer you to the briefing point where you will receive instructions on how to conduct yourself while in the forest. The habituation experience gives you more time learning about the life of gorillas in the forest and in total you are allowed to spend 4 hours in the presence of gorillas. The idea is to get gorillas a little bit used to humans in their habitat to allow for gorilla trekking in the future. After this experience, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.

    • Gorilla habituation
    • Hotel at Lake Bunyonyi
    • Breakfast, dinner
  4. Day4
    Islands on Lake Bunyonyi under blue sky, Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda

    Boat Ride and Return to Kampala

    Enjoy a delicious morning breakfast, and set out for a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi where you will go around various islands with sights of terraced hills, birds, and alike. Thereafter start off your tour to Kampala having lunch en route, reaching there late evening. End of safari!

    • Lake Bunyonyi boat ride
    • Breakfast, lunch

Safari Cost

Accommodation typeQuote per person, 2 paxQuote per person, 4 pax
Basic accommodationAUD $5,352AUD $4,762
Superior accommodationAUD $5,807AUD $5,218
Deluxe accommodationAUD $6,946AUD $6,357

Prices are per person in Australian dollars. Ask us for a quote for your dates and group size.

Price Includes

Gorilla Permits, bottled water, English speaking guide, park entrance fees, boat rides, cultural tours, all activities mentioned.

Price Excludes

International flight fare, entry visas, laundry services, tips, alcoholic drinks.

Where you will stay

Kampala Departure Uganda — Day 1
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Bwindi — Rushaga Uganda — Days 2–3
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Lake Bunyonyi Uganda — Day 4
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What's included

Optional add-ons

  • Community walk after the gorilla trek on Day 2

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between trekking and habituation?

On the trek you spend one hour with a habituated gorilla family, which is usually relaxed. On the habituation day you spend up to four hours with a semi-habituated group that is still being used to people, so it can be less relaxed.

Why are habituation permits hard to get?

The tour notes that only 4 habituation permits are issued per day, compared with 8 per group for regular trekking, so demand is high.

How long is the drive to Bwindi?

About 540 km, or roughly 9 hours, to the southern sector, with stops at the Equator and in Mbarara for lunch. You arrive in the evening.

What should I bring for the forest?

Take a walking stick from the briefing point, gardening gloves, at least 2 litres of water, packed lunch and snacks. Gaiters are optional, and hiring a porter is recommended.

Where does the habituation take place?

In Rushaga, in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Afterwards you transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for the night.

How does the trip end?

After a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi on Day 4, you drive back to Kampala with lunch on the way, arriving late in the evening.