The mountain gorilla habituation experience guarantees visitors a four-hour encounter with the gorillas, unlike the standard gorilla trek, which offers only one hour of viewing time. During this habituation process, gorillas become accustomed to human presence, and this training typically occurs over a three-year period before the groups are cleared for regular tracking. Clients opting for the habituation experience are strongly encouraged to follow the rules and guidelines established by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, as the gorillas can sometimes exhibit wild behavior.

Gorilla habituation is conducted exclusively in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, specifically in the Rushaga area. Currently, only two families—the Bushaho and Bikyingi—are being trained for this experience, which will be officially launched for tracking soon. There are restrictions on the number of visitors: only four individuals per day are allowed to visit each family, resulting in a total of eight visitors per day. Tourists are advised to reserve their habituation permits in advance due to high demand; each permit costs $1,500 USD. Our gorilla habituation package is all-inclusive, and we handle the reservations for the habituation permits.

Day 1: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Park

A representative from Gorilla Booking Uganda will pick you up from your accommodation at 7 AM to brief you about your habituation safari before departing for Bwindi. The journey is approximately 540 km and takes about 9 hours to reach the Southern sector. Although the drive is long, it offers plenty of sights along the way. You may have the chance to see zebras and impalas grazing in Lake Mburo National Park.

You’ll make a stop at the equator for photography and an experiment, followed by another stop in Mbarara Town for lunch. Continue your journey and arrive at your accommodation in the evening.

Day 2: Gorilla Habituation Day and Batwa Community

This morning marks the highlight of your Uganda safari. Begin with an early breakfast at your accommodation, then prepare for your transfer to the briefing point. After the briefing, you’ll head to the starting point for your trek through the dense and steep jungle forest. To have a successful trekking experience, it’s important to be physically fit, as the trek may take between 3 to 8 hours or possibly the entire day.

Depending on your allocated group, you may start the trek from the park headquarters or be driven to a specific trailhead within the forest. Once you locate the gorillas, you are allowed to observe them for one hour. Feel free to take videos and photos during this encounter, but please remember that feeding mountain gorillas is prohibited, as is the use of flash photography. After your experience, you’ll trek back through the forest, reflecting on this once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter. Enjoy a leisurely evening at your lodge before settling in for an overnight stay.

Day 3: Travel Back   to Kampala.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast, as this will be your last day in Bwindi. Prepare to travel back to Kampala, with lunch included en route and a stopover at the equator if you missed it on Day 1. You will be dropped off at your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe, and if you have an evening flight, it’s best to be taken directly to the airport.