Gorilla trekking vs gorilla habituation experience
Gorilla trekking vs gorilla habituation experience
What is a gorilla habituation experience, and how does it differ from a gorilla trek? We’ve got all the info you need to know, as well as advice on what to wear, how much it costs, and other such details to help you plan a fantastic adventure!
Ever since Dian Fossey alerted the world to the plight of Africa’s mountain gorillas, interest in the gentle giants and their conservation has greatly increased. A key element in the long-term protection of mountain gorilla populations has been gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking allows visitors to go on a guided trek through the rainforest to spend an hour with a habituated gorilla troop in its natural habitat. For some visitors, however, the desire exists to spend more time with the troop – to get to know it even more intimately.
This desire led the Uganda Wildlife Authority to develop gorilla habituation experiences. This is a truly special experience, enjoyed by relatively few, and far more immersive than a standard gorilla trek experience.
We highly recommend investing in a gorilla habituation experience to anyone traveling to Uganda who really, really loves gorillas and also has an interest in the work that goes on behind the scenes.
What is gorilla habituation?
Gorilla habituation refers to the slow process of getting a specific troop of wild gorillas used to seeing and being around humans. Only habituated troops can be visited by gorilla trekking groups – unhabituated troops are left alone. This is done for the safety and well-being of both the gorillas and humans.
Gorilla habituation is undertaken by a team of specialists, including conservationists, trackers, researchers, and park rangers. It usually takes place over two to three years.
Bwindi Forest National Park says that the habituation process allows the team to:
Understand the gorillas deeper and individually, know their behaviors, and even get to the point of naming every single one of them. In the end, if the researchers are certain that the wild gorillas are okay with the presence of people, a mock exercise is done as a way of testing to prove their facts. When the gorillas pass this kind of exercise which now includes journalists and scientists, the gorilla group is then available for trekking.
The overall, long-term aim is to eliminate the fear gorillas naturally feel for humans. By being around the gorillas every day and showing them that the team is not a threat, the gorillas learn to be calm and go about life in the presence of humans. So by the end of the long habituation process, the mountain gorilla troop is still wild; it still lives in its natural habitat and goes about its normal daily activities. What has changed is that the troop is now unfazed by the presence of a small group of humans.
What is a gorilla habituation experience?
A gorilla habituation experience is a rather laborious term that refers to the time a visitor spends with a team of specialists as they engage in the habituation process with a troop of gorillas. More specifically, a gorilla habituation experience is a four-hour session in which just four visitors a day are allowed to tag along with the specialists as they go about the various actions involved in getting a gorilla troop habituated.
One of the key differences between a gorilla trek and a gorilla habituation experience is that the latter takes place with a gorilla troop that is not yet fully accustomed to the presence of humans.
What do you do during the experience?
A gorilla habituation experience begins with an early morning briefing. During the briefing, the ranger will explain what to expect and some do’s and don’ts when in the presence of the troop.
You’ll then head out with the habituation team into the forest. (You head out much earlier than the gorilla trekking groups.) Led by a tracker or two, you’ll hike into the mountains in search of a troop. You’ll see how they look for the trail and the nests used by the troop during the night. This is part of the gorilla habituation process: seeing how the trackers work to find a troop. The gorilla treks later in the day can head straight towards a troop because the trackers have already pinpointed troops’ various locations.
When you find the troop, the rangers will do things like make gorilla calls and grunts. They’ll also chop vegetation with their machetes and talk among themselves. This is done to get the gorillas used to these noises.
The habituation team will also tell you about the troop being visited. This includes things like the names of each gorilla, and their habits and personalities.
Shyer gorillas
It’s important to note that if the troop you track is early on in the habituation process, the individuals are going to be quite shy around humans. This means you may not get as close to them as you would on a regular gorilla trek. Some may even stay hidden.
Note that a gorilla habituation experience sometimes doesn’t get you as close to the gorillas as a gorilla trek, as the troop is often shyer (having not yet become fully habituated).
So it’s important to understand that a gorilla habituation experience often introduces visitors to a troop that’s shy or nervous around humans. In one sense you’re getting a more authentic experience with the gorillas. But some could be disappointed if they’re expecting a close-up encounter.
Of course, all that said, if your troop is far along in the habituation process, then you may well have a very intimate session with them. We advise managing your expectations, and then if you do get a friendly troop, lucky you!
The four hours include tracking time
.Please also note that some of the four hours of the habituation experience involve tracking the gorillas. Specifically, the time spent tracking the gorillas from their night-time nests is considered part of the experience. So you won’t necessarily spend four hours in their presence.
How fit do I need to be?
A gorilla habituation experience usually involves a pretty taxing hike of a few hours, so you need reasonable fitness to cope. It is often also muddy and slippery, so you want to be reasonably sure.
Many trekkers hire porters to carry their backpacks, and we encourage this. Not only does it provide much-needed work, you feel the advantage. These guys and gals spring along with your backpacks, while most visitors find the trek plenty tough enough even without a pack on their backs.
Where are habituation experiences?
The only place offering gorilla habituation experiences is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda. More specifically, the only part of the park offering a gorilla habituation experience is the Rushaga sector in the south.
Accommodation
Bwindi is a very large park, and you’ll need to find accommodation inside or near to Rushaga sector to be able to make the early morning meeting time for the habituation experience. There are luxury, mid-range, and budget accommodation options available in this area.
Note that you must present your passport when you arrive for your habituation experience. If you have a tour guide with you on your trip, he or she will ensure you’re aware of and don’t forget important details such as this.
How do I get to Bwindi?
To get to Bwindi, either fly into Entebbe International Airport in Uganda or Kigali International Airport in Rwanda and then drive there. We recommend going with a reliable tour operator who does the driving and navigating for you.
If you want to hire a porter to carry your backpack (and the work is appreciated by them), then factor in another $20. This doesn’t include a tip. Tipping is customary in Uganda. Not only should you factor in a tip for your porter, but please also consider tipping your rangers and trackers. Tips are best when given in Ugandan shillings.
Must I book in advance?
Yes. In non-pandemic years (!), gorilla habituation permits sell out months in advance. Remember that they only offer four habituation permits per day, far less than gorilla trekking permits. And gorilla habituation experiences only take place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi Park recommends you book at least six months in advance, especially if you want to go during the dry seasons. The dry seasons (or ‘drier’ seasons to be more accurate) are December to March and June to October. But gorilla habituation experience permits are issued all year round, so you needn’t limit yourself to these months.
Is it safe?
Yes, a gorilla habituation experience is safe. This is because you’re in the presence of professionals who know what can and can’t be done around the troop visited. Of course, you must obey all instructions and follow all directions to stay safe. No rogue photo-op missions or the like.
Gorillas let you know if they’re unhappy; for example, the silverback might pound his chest. The rangers are well-trained in understanding and responding responsibly to these signals.
Is it ethical?
All things counted, yes, gorilla habituation and gorilla habituation experiences are ethical practices. We say this because the Uganda Wildlife Authority ensures that both are done in a good manner. With the best interests of the gorillas in mind.
Further to this, gorilla habituation experiences are at a high price. The money is used in large part to further the park’s mountain gorilla conservation efforts.
In an ideal world, mountain gorillas would be left alone in the wild. However, the apes require a concerted effort on the part of humans to protect their numbers from poachers and habitat loss. With this need in mind, the thoughtful implementation of gorilla treks and gorilla habituation experiences is overall a good thing.
What should I wear?
We recommend covering up entirely except for your face for your habituation trek. Avoid brightly colored clothes, and opt instead for browns, greys, dark greens, and khakis.
- The most critical items to bring on a gorilla habituation trek are:
- A backpack (and a waterproof backpack cover is a good idea too)
- Plenty of water and a packed lunch
- Worn-in, sturdy, and water-resistant hiking boots
- A warm or thermal jumper or jacket
- A long-sleeved top (bare arms invite insect bites and scratches)
- A rain jacket (it can rain even in the so-called dry seasons)
- Long pants
- Hiking socks to further protect your calves (and choose ones made with sweat-wicking material)
- Thick gloves like gardening gloves to protect your hands when you grip or move aside vines, which can be thorny
- A sunhat and sunscreen, as the sun can be pretty fierce when the clouds clear
We also recommend wearing gaiters to help keep your feet and ankles dry. They also help to keep mud and stones out of your boots. And provide a little extra warmth in the cold early hours.
Finally, we recommend bringing along trekking poles (or a walking stick) to help you on the hike. As mentioned, it’s often muddy in the forest, and trekking poles help you tackle slippery sections and cross streams. You can learn more in our post Ultimate guide of what to pack for gorilla trekking.
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for Ugandan natives. We specialize in life-changing experiences, sustainable tours, and holidays for all East African countries. Also, we are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We are making booking your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari easy. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.
