3 Days Gorilla Habituation Safari in Bwindi National Park in Uganda
A 3 days gorilla habituation safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda comprises of a day well spent with the mountain gorillas in their natural home. Visiting Bwindi Impenetrable forest is one of the most amazing life adventures in Uganda because the jungle has a lot to offer including animal and plant life. To visit gorillas in Bwindi forest under either the gorilla habituation experience or trekking, you need to book a gorilla permit through Animal Safaris, one of the reputable tour operators in Uganda.
The 3 day tour is among the several Bwindi gorilla habituation safaris in Uganda. The trip may either start from Kigali in Rwanda or Entebbe/Kampala in Uganda to the gorilla park. From Kigali to Bwindi National Park, it takes like four hours on the road to reach the gorilla destination. Whereas from Entebbe, a minimum of ten hours will be spent on the road including a lunch stop of the way.
A 3-day gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi forest offers a unique opportunity to spend an extended amount of time with a gorilla group under habituation. Here’s a detailed itinerary for such an adventure:
Day 1: Arrival in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Morning/Departure: Start your journey from Entebbe or Kampala, or opt for a domestic flight to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip for a shorter travel time.
Scenic Drive: If traveling by road, enjoy the scenic countryside, with views of terraced hills, rolling green landscapes, and local villages.
Arrival at Bwindi: Check into your lodge near the Rushaga or Nkuringo sectors (where gorilla habituation is offered). Settle into your accommodation with a spectacular view of the forest.
Evening: Attend a briefing by park staff about the gorilla habituation process, including safety protocols.
Overnight: Relax and prepare for an early morning. Stay at a midrange or luxury lodge, such as Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge or Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Early Start: After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers.
Trek into the Forest: Begin your trek with expert guides, tracking a semi-habituated gorilla group. Expect 4-6 hours in the dense forest, depending on the location of the gorillas.
Experience with Gorillas: Spend up to 4 hours observing the mountain gorillas. Watch them feed, play, and interact while learning about their behavior from the rangers, guides and researchers.
Photography: Take stunning photos (without flash) to capture this extraordinary experience.
Return to Lodge: Trek back to the park office and return to your lodge for a well-deserved rest.
Evening: Enjoy a celebratory dinner and share stories of the day with fellow travelers.
Overnight: Same lodge as Day 1.
Day 3: Departure
In the morning, you may take an optional nature walk or cultural visit to nearby Batwa communities to learn about their traditions and connection to the forest. Then after you may start you return journey back to Kampala, Entebbe or your next destination. You will arrive in the evening and mark the end of the 3 days gorilla habituation safari.
The experience also includes a cultural tour and guided natural walks in the forest.
What’s included?
- Gorilla habituation permits (usually $1,500 per person).
- Accommodation (2 nights) and meals.
- Transportation (private vehicle with driver/guide or domestic flights).
- Park entrance fees and professional ranger guides.
- A guided nature walk in the woodland
- Airport transfers
- An English-speaking driver and guide
Packing List for Gorilla Habituation Tour
- Sturdy hiking boots.
- Lightweight rain jacket.
- Long-sleeved shirts and trousers for trekking.
- Gloves for forest trekking.
- Insect repellent, sunscreen, and a hat.
- Reusable water bottle and snacks.
What you should to expect?
- Spend time with a group of mountain gorillas that have not been yet habituated to human exposure
- Escort closely the gorillas for much of the day on the guidance of the researchers and consultants
- Study about the endangered gorillas plus the conservation efforts being undertaken to protect them
- Partake in the teaching of the gorillas to become used to human beings
- Observe keenly the gorillas’ specific characters
