Gorilla Habituation Process in Uganda

Gorilla Habituation Process in Uganda – Embark on a Four-Hour Gorilla Habituation Experience at $1500 Per Person

Uganda and Rwanda stand out as East African countries renowned for their Mountain Gorilla tracking experiences, featuring habituated Gorilla families for both tourism and research. The intricate process of Mountain Gorilla habituation typically spans two to three years and is orchestrated by a dedicated group of researchers operating under the Research and Monitoring department of Uganda Wildlife Authority.

The habituation exercise involves daily visits to a selected wild Gorilla family until they acclimate to the presence of researchers and humans. Over time, each Gorilla member is meticulously identified based on sex, age, and subsequently bestowed with individual names. Once researchers are confident that the Gorillas are ready for tourist visits, mock exercises and trips are conducted for an additional six to eight months. Upon the success of these exercises, the habituated Gorilla family is officially opened for tourism.

Since 1993, approximately 20 Gorilla families have undergone habituation, opening their doors to both tourism and research. Among them is the historic Mubare Gorilla family, the first to be habituated and trekked by tourists in the same year. In the Buhoma sector, two additional families, Rushegura and Habinyanja, joined Mubare. Presently, Buhoma boasts two more Gorilla families, Katwe and Binyindo, the latter still undergoing the habituation process.

Moving to the Eastern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Ruhija, three Gorilla families—Bitukura, Oruzogo, and Kyaguriro (originally for research but later split into Mukiza family)—are open for tourism. Meanwhile, the southern part of Bwindi has witnessed the dynamic splitting of existing habituated Gorilla families into new ones. Rushaga sector now hosts Bweza, Kahungye, Mishaya, Nshongi, Busingye, Bikingi, Rwigi families, and the ongoing habituation of Mukyunguzi. In Nkuringo sector, three habituated Gorilla families—Nkuringo, Bushawo, and Christmas—await visitors.

In the Virunga Ranges, spanning Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, over 14 Gorilla families have undergone habituation. Notably, Nyakagezi, situated in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and several groups in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park showcase the successful results of habituation efforts. Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park experiences periodic interruptions due to political instabilities in the region.

Trek Africa Expeditions is committed to providing up-to-date information on Gorilla tracking in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Feel free to contact our team for comprehensive details whenever you plan your Gorilla adventure.