Gorilla trekking and habituation experience is one of the forefront activity that travelers would wish to experience on their travel itinerary, the activity of meeting mountain gorillas is done in three African countries of Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo in the moist tropical rain forests of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park/ Mgahinga national park, Volcanoes national park and Virunga national park respectively. Gorilla trekking has its defined requirements that one owes to possess before the experience and thus gorilla habituation experience which is done in done in Uganda except the rest of the countries that only possess trekking experience. Visitors who intend to experience gorilla habituation experience are required to book gorilla habituation permits for Rushaga sector which is located in the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park where habituation process is undertaken.
The cost of gorilla habituation in Uganda is quite high than gorilla trekking whereby it is rated at a cost of $1500 for none foreign residents, $1000 for foreign residents residing in Uganda and 750,000 Uganda shillings for East African Citizens however this is equivalent to the amount charged for gorilla trekking cost in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda with benefits of spending only an hour with the primates however booking gorilla habituation permits for Rushaga will thrill you with four hours of experience with the gorillas in the jungle being escorted by armed ranger guides and researchers where you will take part in habituation process and learn more about the primates than rather glazing at them as it is on a gorilla trek.
Apparently thee two gorilla habituation groups in Rushaga sector namely Bikyingi and Bushaho with each group being visited by a group of 4 visitors per day which implies that 8 people are allowed to experience habituation experience per day. This therefore tells why if you intend to undergo for the experience you are required to book early enough due to high demand for the experience and the number of permits is limited, however this has increased the number of permits to the sector which add up to 48 gorilla permits allocated to the sector for visitors to trek in the different gorilla family in the sector.
Process of booking gorilla habituation permits for Rushaga
Booking your permit requires you to either book online or book with us or any other tour operators, it’s quite simple whereby you will be required to send us your preferred tracking dates, month and year, we will help you to secure tour permits faster since we will visit the head office (Uganda wildlife authority) and check for the availability of permits according to your preferred dates and reserve the permits on your behalf until when your time has come to travel to Uganda or Rwanda then we will pick the permits and the driver guide will hand it over to you as you head to Rushaga headquarters for an early morning briefing before the start of gorilla habituation activity.
What to carry for your habituation experience
Travelers are also reminded to carry appropriate stuff to ensure successful and enjoyable gorilla encounter. Among the things to pack include hiking boots, Gardening gloves, sun glasses, hat, insect repellent, long pants, long sleeved shirts, rain jackets and enough drinking water
Accommodation in Rushaga
There several places that have been set up within the tracking vicinity of Rushaga sector all offering services that range from budget to luxury accommodation. This gives you options on where you would prefer to be accommodated as you enjoy your safari. They hotels/lodges are strategically located with beautiful views of the forest, hospitable and welcoming staff and delicious meals which are served to its clients all with aims of serving your preference. Feel secure once you’re accommodated in this sector.
Safari Vacations & Travel Services has been generous in preparing affordable habituation experience packages that suits you to meet and greet with the endangered primates in the jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.