Experience with Gorillas in Habituation
For those who want to spend more time with the threatened gorilla species, one of the gorilla safari activities they may reserve is Gorilla Habituation Experience. Naturally terrified of humans, mountain gorillas typically retreat or aggressively charge if the people get too close. First habituated, then made accessible for visitors for a maximum of one hour, the mountain gorillas under tracking were first Over 19 habituated gorilla families found in the national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be tracked but were formerly under habituation to have them adapted to human presence.
Under a small number of visitors, researchers and experts engage in peaceful contact with the mountain gorillas for a period of time every day until the gorillas lose their fear of humans and can thus be in their presence for a length of time. One does this habituation practice for two to three years. The mountain gorillas flee away from people and are afraid first they come across. The gorillas cease running gradually, though, and begin to charge people instead.
They also show negative behavior suggesting tension and discomfort over human contact. They progressively adjust to human presence for a period of time that they even can go about their regular activities of feeding and playing around and be oblivious of human presence over time. At this point the gorillas can be regarded as acclimated and sought for by visitors.
Specifically, Gorilla habituation occurs in the Rushaga and Nkuringo areas as well as in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Introduced by the Uganda Wildlife Authority in 2014, the gorilla habituation experience as a tourist activity offers visitors interested in spending more time with the gorillas and learning and knowing them including naming and the like an option to do so. Trekking the forest to reach the habitat of the gorilla family living there, one then spends four hours with them. There are only two groups accessible and Gorilla Habituation Experience lets only four visitors daily per group. This makes the slots for tourists quite restricted, so advance booking is necessary to be ensured of participation in the event.
One must either pay a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices in Kampala or have a reputable tour operator buy it for you to be able to participate in the gorilla habituation experience. Booking far in advance is advised as just 4 people are permitted per group and that there are only two available groups. For foreign non-residents, the gorilla habituation experience costs $1,500; for foreign residents, it costs $1,000; and East African natives pay UGX 750,000.
Early morning starts the gorilla habituation adventure with a briefing at the park headquarters. Following regulations and instructions will help you to have a great experience and subsequently start the journey to locate the gorilla family under habitation. While on the trip and once you meet the family, you will have four full hours to be in their presence and marvel at those almost human species. You will also be shown significant-to-note landmarks and fauna. Though it can rain any time of day since Bwindi is a rainforest, the experience can take place all year long but is highly encouraged that visitors do it during the dry months of June-September and mid-December-February.
How different is the experience of gorilla habituation from the usual gorilla trekking?
- While gorilla trekking is accessible in Mgahinga as well in addition to other national parks in the area, gorilla habituation experience is only found in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Unlike the over 19 tracked groups, there are only two gorilla groups accessible for a gorilla habituation encounter.
- Eight individuals per group are permitted to trek mountain gorillas; only four visitors per group are permitted to perform gorilla habituation experience.
- While tourists doing a gorilla trekking trip spend only one hour with the gorillas, those engaged in a gorilla habituation experience spend four full hours with the gorillas.
- Experience with gorilla habituation costs more than gorilla trekking. Still, the experience is so priceless that the cost is well worth it.
Following the same packing list advised for a gorilla trekking safari would help one to have a good experience with habituation of gorillas.
- If it chooses to rain or if you step in mud, puddles, rivers, waterproof hiking boots will help you stay dry.
- Long- sleeved shirts
- waterproof cap
- If bird viewing is your passion, waterproof backpacks will protect your valuables including the binoculars and camera.
- Garden gloves protect your hands from some plant reactions and pricks.
- Camera for the videos and photos
- Waterproof jacket to protect from the showers
- Energy providing snacks and enough water
- Creeping insect repellent creams
Rules and guidelines for mountain gorilla habituation experience are the same as those for mountain gorilla tracking and consist in;
- Keep seven miles separating yourself from the mountain gorillas. Given our 98% DNA, they are rather likely to have our diseases.
- Participants in this gorilla habituation event are just those 15 years of age and above.
- Always do as advised by rangers and guides; they are experts in the park and the gorillas.
- If you intend to photograph, do not use flash cameras.
- Should a gorilla charge you, remain motionless and avoid making eye contact with the gorillas since this would endanger them.
- Say a gorilla charges at you; follow whatever directions the ranger or guide will be showing you when under any kind of danger.
- You have four hours maximum when you arrive to the gorillas. Make good use of them.
- Leave the forest as you discovered it; never pollute it.
- Steer clear of noise; if necessary, whisper.
Experience Gorilla Habituation
additional than everything, you should realize is that the gorilla habituation experience is an actual experience in the wild since mountain gorillas cannot survive in captivity; it is not only additional time with the mountain gorillas. Without comparing that you must participate, this is a precious experience; thus, contact a reliable tour operator to assist with the preparations.
