Gorilla Habituation Experience

Gorilla Habituation Experience

The Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda is a unique adventure for primate enthusiasts. This activity allows travelers to help researchers acclimate gorillas to human presence. Taking place in the Rushaga sector, the experience lasts four hours and costs USD 1500. Only four tourists can join each session. These gorillas are among the wildest you will encounter, moving to new locations daily. The trek’s duration is unpredictable due to the gorillas’ movements.

Gorilla Families in Uganda

Gorillas live in the Virunga Volcanoes, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda; Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda; and Virunga National Park in the D.R. Congo. Uganda is home to 13 habituated mountain gorilla families, with 12 in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga.

Gorilla Groups/Families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Mubare
• Habinyanja
• Rushegura
• Oruzogo
• Bitukura
• Kyaguriro
• Mishaya
• Nshongi
• Kahungye
• Busingye
• Bweza
• Nkuringo

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can take up to 8 hours, with one hour spent with the gorillas. The trek involves following ancient trails and learning about the forest’s history. The gorillas move daily, so guides track their previous locations. Trekking is possible year-round, but the dry season is preferable for easier tracking.

Uganda offers the best gorilla trekking safaris, with additional wildlife attractions such as Murchison Falls and primates in Kibale Forest National Park.

Mgahinga Gorilla Family

In Mgahinga Park, you can track the Nyakagezi group on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes, including Mt. Muhavura (4,127m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645m).

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

In Rwanda, gorilla tracking is only available in Volcanoes National Park, part of the Virunga mountains. About 480 mountain gorillas live in this area, ranging from 2,300 to 4,500 meters in altitude. Rwanda’s gorillas are divided into research groups, accessed by scientists, and ten habituated families available for tourism. Each group allows up to 8 visitors per day, with a one-hour viewing limit.

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Groups

• Ugenda
• Umubano
• Susa
• Karisimbi
• Sabinyo
• Hirwa
• Amahoro
• Bwenge
• Group 13 (Agasha)
• Kwitonda