The best time for gorilla habituation in Bwindi

The best time for gorilla habituation in Bwindi: Mountain gorilla habituation is a once in a lifetime activity that allows tourists to be around the mountain gorillas for a maximum of 4 hours getting the members get used to human presence around them. In the whole world, this activity is carried out in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park which is found in Uganda. In this park, trekkers get to search the semi habituated mountain gorilla family and be with the members for 4 hours.

Gorilla habituation in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is an activity that every traveler would love to do while on their gorilla safari to the park. The activity allows trekkers to be part of the activities that make the mountain gorillas get used to the human presence around them. Many tourists are aware of gorilla habituation happening in Bwindi and today’s article we are looking at the best time when the activity should be done.

What is the most appropriate time for gorilla habituation?

Gorilla habituation in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is done all throughout the year. Tourists can visit the park at any time of the year to have a four gorilla session around the mountain gorillas subject to permit availability. The activity is done every day on the semi habituated gorillas for a period of 2 to 3 years until the gorillas fully get used to human presence around them.

Gorilla habituation in the dry season

The dry season is the best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for gorilla habituation. June to September and December to February are the driest months in Bwindi that are characterized by little rainfall and plenty of sunshine. Gorilla habituation within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is much enjoyed at times when the weather for the day is perfect.

During the dry season, the trekking trails are muddy and easier to walk through which allows the trekkers to locate the mountain gorilla families on time. The vegetation within the park tends to be short and scattered which allows trekkers to have a clear view of the mountain gorillas and other attractions of the park. When there is little or no rainfall within the country, the roads leading to the park are dry and passable allowing tourists to access them on time.

Gorilla habituation in the rainy season

The rainy season in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park happens from March to May and October to November a period when the park is receiving plenty of rainfall and little sunshine. Tourists who find time in the rainy season can still visit the park for gorilla habituation because it’s always open.

During the rainy season, trekkers will find the trekking trails muddy and slippery which may affect their movement in the jungle. The vegetation within the jungle can be tall and thick which gives unclear views of the gorillas and other forest attractions. The roads leading to the park are in poor condition which may increase the time supposed to be taken to access the areas.

The gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi

Gorilla habituation in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is only done in the Rushaga sector of the park. This sector apparently has one mountain gorilla family named Bikingi which is going through habituation and open for the habituation activity every day until the mountain gorillas get used to human presence around them.

Gorilla habituation takes place only in Rushaga sector in the southern sector of  Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and the activity starts from the sector headquarters.  On the gorilla habituation day, tourists move to the sector headquarters where they meet rangers who teach the rules and regulations of the activity.

Once the habituation is done, trekkers are given armed ranger guides, researchers, and doctors to lead them into the jungle where they are to look for the semi habituated mountain gorilla family and be around the members for a maximum of 4 hours. Trekkers for the day are driven to the starting point of the trek and left to go into the jungle to search for the semi habituated mountain gorilla family.

Using different trekking trails, trekkers search for where the semi habituated mountain gorilla family could be. The search takes 2 to 5 hours and comes with an opportunity to meet different forest attractions among which include wildlife, vegetation, and water sources among others. When the mountain gorilla family is located, trekkers are given 4 hours to be with the members.

While around the mountain gorillas, trekkers are allowed to participate in the different activities that allow the gorillas to get used to human presence around them. Trekkers get to have enough time for photography and recording videos for future memories. Once the gorilla habituation is done, trekkers move away from the gorilla group leaving the members to continue with their day to day activities.

How much is a gorilla habituation permit for Bwindi?

A gorilla habituation permit for Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is a document that allows tourists interested in having a four hour session around mountain gorillas to go to Bwindi and be part of the activities that make these apes get used to human presence around them. Because it comes with four hours around mountain gorillas and being able to be part of the activities that make the apes get used to human beings around them, it’s a bit expensive.

 A gorilla habituation permit for bwindi costs $1500 for foreign non-residents, $1000 for foreign residents, and UGX750,000 citizens of East African member states. Only one mountain gorilla family is available for habituation in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and a maximum of 4 people can visit the members on a single day. Since only 4 gorilla habituation permits are available in Bwindi on a day, tourists who are interested in the activity are advised to book 3 to 4 months or more in advance.