4 Days Gorilla Habituation Safari Experience

The 4 Days Gorilla Habituation experience, is a short trip that offers travelers a longer experience with the Gorillas. The experience is currently being doing in Rushaga sector of Bwindi National Park. Whereas the normal Gorilla trek allows trekkers one hour interface with the Gorillas, Gorilla Habituation experience on the other end offers trekkers more three hours with the Gorillas. There are only 4 Gorilla Habituation permits available per day and this therefore calls for advance booking for the activity. There are just two gorilla families that are currently being habituated, in the dense foliage of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The process of Habituation takes a bit of time three to five years.

Gorilla Habituation Experience (GHEX) requires trekkers to be more physically fit, process starts as early as 06.00am, joining the researchers and the guides for the day.

After a challenging trek through this green wilderness, eventually reach the family’s location. Approach cautiously, getting close to these powerful yet intelligent creatures. Using non-threatening body language and the knowledge of the guides, put the dominant silverback at ease and allow him to assert his dominance.

With hours to watch and listen to the gorillas as they eat, play and groom one another, this is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in their world. Watch the intricacies of the social hierarchy unfold, see surprisingly human patterns of behavior develop and observe the unending consumption of plant matter that is necessary to sustain these powerful creatures.

The activity offers far more immersive, complex and powerful experience to the travelers, but it also offers photographers with the time they need to capture all the perfect shot, making it’s a better deal for those seeking for wildlife photography

Safari Highlights:

Return Domestic flight from Entebbe to Bwindi (Kisoro)
One Day Gorilla Habituation experience
One night in Entebbe
Community tour in Rushaga/Nkuringo

Full Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe Airport – Entebbe Hotel (Approx. 10 -30 mins drive)

On your arrival at Entebbe Airport, your will be met and welcomed by our representative. He will be your tour and driver guide for the rest of the days you will be in the country. After the interaction and brief introduction, you will be transferred to your preferred Hotel in Entebbe for Overnight stay. Bed and Breakfast

Accommodation Options:

Papyrus Guest house (BUDGET)
Boma Guest House/2 Friends Guest House/Best Western Hotel (MIDRANGE)
Hotel No. 5/Lake Victoria Serena Resort (UPMARKET)

Day 2: Entebbe to Kisoro – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Early morning after breakfast, your driver will pick you up from your Hotel and transfer to the Airport for your flight to Kisoro Airstrip. Upon arrival at the Airstrip, you will be welcomed by your Lodge guide who will drive you straight to your Lodge for the rest of the day. Afternoon you will have a community tour around Rushaga or Nkuringo. This includes a visit to the local popular blacksmith man, traditional healer, a local traditional grass thatched full house with kitchen, bedroom, cooking pots and distillery for making local brew from local bananas. Return to your lodge in the evening for Dinner and overnight stay. (Lunch and Dinner)

Accommodation Options:

Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge – (BUDGET)
Gorilla Safari Lodge /Four Gorillas Lodge (MIDRANGE)
Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge/ Clouds Gorilla Lodge/Gorilla Heights Lodge (UPMARKET)

Day 3: Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

The day is finally here for your unforgettable life time experience of meeting face to face with the giant mountain Gorillas. You will start your day with an early breakfast at your lodge and then transfer to the Park headquarters for briefing. Gorilla Habituation is well known as the process by which wild gorillas living in their natural habitat are slowly by slowly introduced and exposed to human presence. The whole idea of Gorilla habituation helps researchers, rangers, conservationist and trackers to study a specific gorilla family including monitoring their day-to-day activities, treating the ones injured, protect them from poachers and so on. In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, there are 2 Gorilla families currently where Gorilla habituation experience activity is carried from and these are Bukingyi and Bushaho. The team starts the habituation process by spending the shortest time with these wild gorillas each day and maintaining this distance in the comfort of these Gorillas. This is done on a daily basis the gradually the time spent with them is increased and distance is reduced until when they are sure and comfortable that a gorilla family is ready for tourists. After spending your 4 hrs. with the Gorillas, you will then head back to your lodge and retire for the rest of the day. Packed Lunch and hiring porters are highly recommended. Dinner and overnight stay at your Lodge. Full Board

Accommodation Options:

Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge – (BUDGET)
Gorilla Safari Lodge /Four Gorillas Lodge (MIDRANGE)
Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge/ Clouds Gorilla Lodge/Gorilla Heights Lodge (UPMARKET)

Day 4: Bwindi to Entebbe

After your morning breakfast, depending on the time of your domestic flight, you will be driven back to Airstrip by the Lodge guide to catch your flight out of Bwindi back to Entebbe. If you intend to add extra days, this can be tailored to your interests. Upon arrival at the Airport, connect with your onward flight to your next destination. (Bed and Breakfast)

END OF OUR 4 DAYS GORILLA HABITUATION SAFARI EXPERIENCE

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