4 Days Gorilla Tracking Uganda & Gorilla Habituation
Trip overview:
Participating in both gorilla tracking and gorilla habituation is absolutely fantastic offering different experiences to those who choose do it. The demand for habituation permit is so high since only 4 permits are issued per day unlike with the regular trekking where 8 permits are issued per group . The habituation experience is highly recommended for photographers and wildlife researchers.
You can spend 4 hours with the semi-habituated gorillas and only one hour with the habituated groups. While this sounds great, do remember that the semi-habituated group can be far less relaxed while the habituated groups are more likely to be relaxed, giving you the true experience of interacting with the gorillas in their normal setting.
Remember to carry a Walking stick from briefing point and gardening gloves are essential. Gaiters are not necessary but can be useful in avoiding your bootlaces from being caught / undone by the thick undergrowth. At least 2 liters of water, packed lunch and snacks are advisable. Porters are of great help and highly recommend since we can’t guarantee how the terrain will be during tracking.
Day 1: Travel to Bwindi impenetrable park
A representative from Insights safari Holidays will pick you from your accommodation at 7am , brief you about your habituation safari and off to Bwindi. It is approximately 540km / 9 hours of driving to the Southern sector. The drive is quite long but worth it with much more to see on the way you may even see the zebras and impalas grazing in Lake Mburo park. You will have a stopover at the equator for photography and the experiment and another stopover in Mbarara town for lunch.
Continue with your journey arriving your accommodation in the evening. A relaxed and overnight at Rushaga gorilla Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla safari lodge,
Four gorillas lodge or Exclusive luxury Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla tracking day
After breakfast at the lodge, you will go to the park headquarters for briefing from the Uganda wildlife Authority ranger guides. After the briefing, the rangers will lead you into the thick impenetrable forest to start your search for the endangered rare species of Mountain Gorillas. The gorilla search always continues from the place where they were last seen the previous day. Upon reaching the area where these famous species are, you will only be allowed to interact with them for only one hour and you should always keep maximum silence while with these Gorillas. You are allowed to take photographs and so one. To find the Gorillas, it’s such a tiresome experience since it can take you almost 3-8 hours to find them. However, once you meet these gorillas, you will easily forget the hatches you have gone through to find them and instead save the good memories you will experience with them. After the interaction, you may choose to take a community walk or simply relax at your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Gorilla habituation day.
Gorilla habituation experience happens in the southern sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park called Rushaga. After breakfast, the driver guide will transfer you to the briefing point where you will receive instructions on how to conduct yourself while in the forest. The habituation experience gives you more time learning about the life of gorillas in the forest and in total you are allowed to spend 4 hours in the presence of gorillas. The idea is to get gorillas a little bit used to humans in their habitat to allow for gorilla trekking in the future. After this experience, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Dinner and overnight at Budget Bunyonyi overland Camp, moderate Arcadia cottages or luxury Bird’s Nest lodge.
Day 4: Boat ride and return to Kampala.
Enjoy a delicious morning breakfast, and set out for a boat ride on lake Bunyonyi where you will go around various islands with sights of terraced hills, birds, and alike. Thereafter start off your journey to Kampala having lunch en-route reaching there late evening.
End of safari!
PRICE INCLUDES
- Gorilla Permits
- Bottled Water
- English Speaking Guide
- Park Entrance Fees
- Boat Rides
- Cultural Tours
- All Activities Mentioned
PRICE EXCLUDES
- International flight fare
- Entry Visas
- Laundry services
- Tips
- Alcoholic Drinks