Gorilla habituation experience in Uganda 2025/2026.
Gorilla habituation experience in Uganda 2025/2026: This fascinating activity in Uganda involves training wild mountain gorillas to become accustomed to human presence so they can hike. In Uganda, gorilla habituation is exclusively conducted in the Rushaga sector, which is situated in the southern region of the impenetrable Bwindi National Park.
A group of researchers, park rangers, park guides, and gorilla medics work together to provide the gorilla habituation experience, which only permits a maximum of four visitors each day. The experience of gorilla habituation begins very early in the morning with an explanation of the expectations, rules, and regulations.
Following the briefing, you will begin a day-long trek into the jungle in search of the mountain gorillas, during which you will see a variety of primates, birds, plants, and trees. You will be able to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas in their natural environment after they have been discovered. During this time, you will be able to observe and learn about their behaviors, participate in the naming process, take pictures, and more.
The best years to visit Uganda for a gorilla habituation experience are 2025/2026.
The best time to experience gorilla habituation in Uganda is during the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February. This is because the park receives less rainfall during this time, making access roads and gorilla trekking trails passable, making trekking easier than during the rainy season, when the trails are muddy and slippery, making trekking challenging.
The price of Uganda’s gorilla habitat permit for 2025/2026
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a gorilla habituation permit costs 1,500 USD per person for non-resident foreigners, 750 USD per person for residents, and 250,000 UGX per person for citizens of East Africa.
How to reserve permits for gorilla habitat in Uganda in 2025/2026
You can reserve a gorilla habituation permit in Uganda by contacting a tour operator such as Experiya Tour Company and providing the date, month, and year of your gorilla visit. After getting in touch with us, we will verify whether permits are available on the dates you have selected. If they are, you will be required to pay a deposit. We will obtain the gorilla habituation permit on your behalf after the payment is completed, and we will confirm this with a scanned copy of the receipt.
However, gorilla habituation permits in Uganda are limited and typically sell out quickly, especially during the dry season in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. Therefore, it is recommended that you book three to six months prior to the trekking date to avoid last-minute disappointment.
Accommodations for your Ugandan gorilla habituation safari in 2025/2026
During your gorilla habituation adventure, you can stay at a variety of lodging establishments in the Rushaga district. Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Hills Eco Lodge, Nshongi Camp, and Bwindi Backpackers Lodge are just a few of the affordable, midrange, and upscale lodging options available.
How to travel to the impenetrable national park of Bwindi
The gorilla habituation experience is conducted in the Rushaga sector, which is situated in the southern region of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is accessible by road transportation, requiring a 9–10 hour drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale before arriving at the park headquarters.
It takes roughly three to four hours to travel from Kigali, Rwanda, to the Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border, where you may connect to Rushaga sector. From Kigali, Rwanda, you can also reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
By booking a scheduled or charter domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip and then connecting to Rushaga Sector, you can also reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by air.
