Uganda’s premier adventure; a trek expereince up-close and personal to the mountain gorilla in its natural rainforest homes is offered in two distinct and unique experiences namely; Ordinary/Normal and Habituation tracking experience. Uganda protects half of the global population of the endangered mountain gorillas across its pristine rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP and Mgahinga Gorilla NP where some 23 gorillas families are habituated for daily trekking experiences.
Lets us dive in to discover the difference between these two distinct options that offer a unique once-in-a-lifetime and a memorial face to face encounter with the endangered habituated mountain gorilla family in their natural rainforests homes.
What is Mountain Gorilla Habituation Tracking Experience
On a mountain gorilla habituation experience is when a small group of tourists (4 maximum) are allowed to trek with researchers to gorilla families undergoing a habituation process. The habituation process involves a group of researchers and trackers daily following a wild gorilla family until it gets used and accepts human presence, and doesn’t feel threatened at all. Although mountain gorillas are gentle and peaceful, habituation of these giants is a long process extending over 24 months of daily contact as the research team continues to study family home range, establish family hierarchy within members, and health. It’s on this interesting behind-the-scenes educational experience that a minimum number of visitors are invited.
On habituation tracking experience day, an early start usually by 6 am is required to check in at the trail head, thereafter you join the research team and rangers to trek deep in the forests away from established trails into a gorilla range. The team first mission is to locate where the family nested for a night, then follow it as it forages. It’s important to remember that such gorilla families are raw, not fully used to human presence, extremely shy, protective and reactional with unpredictable behavior ranging in far-reaching territories. On such treks, one is required to follow closely ranger’s guidelines for safety.
The trek on habituation experience, is considered tougher, longer, and unpredictable in itself. It’s recommended that one is in reasonable fitness levels and on a trek day, carry pretty of drinking water, packed lunch, and rain jacket. Helpers are available for hire from the briefing point to carry that backpack and also give a hand on the trek.
Pros
- Enough time with gorilla family up to 4-hours
- Deep insights and knowledge with researchers about gorillas but also on other flora and fauna of the forest.
- A small number of trekkers, only 4pax at maximum
Cons
- Permits costs USD1500pp
- Long trekking hours on unestablished trails; where the family goes you follow.
- Unpredictable, in behavior, a number of individuals, quality of sightings as the family is shy and secretive giving limited photographic opportunities.
What is the Ordinary/Normal Mountain Gorilla Tracking Experience
This is the far easier activity as it involves visitors tracking gorilla family groups that are fully habituated (used to human presence) whose territories are well established and offer a great viewing experience including photographic opportunities. The family normally consists of one dominant silverback, serving as a protector and family head, several female and blackbucks, the characterful youngsters in these groups are usually venturous and curious. Usually, visitors get to spend strictly One hour with such a gorilla family.
Pros
- Easy, as most family ranges are well established and accessible
- Much entertaining and free interaction as they are used to human presence
- Quality sightings with better photo opportunities regardless of the forest groom of their natural home being a rainforest
- Permit costs USD 800 pp
Cons
- A fairly large group of up to 6 individuals in one trekking group (since COVID-19)
- Strictly 1-hour with gorillas
What is the Cost Difference
Gorilla Habituation Experience costs USD 1500 compared to Ordinary Gorilla Tracking at USD700
Important to note: Habituated Gorillas and chimpanzees are ONLY used to human presence but they still remain WILD and UNPREDICTABLE.