Gorilla Habituation Vs Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience : Gorilla habituation and gorilla trekking are the two most popular primate safari activities in Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda. While they all allow trekkers to get close to mountain gorillas, they are all different from one another in some manner. However, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda is where gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences are carried out.
The Differences between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences: Any of the four mountain gorilla parks—Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, which is shared by the southwest districts of Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in the Northern Province of Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo—allows visitors to go on treks to see the endangered primates. While Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the only place where mountain gorillas can be habituated and where the gorilla habituation experience can be experienced.
The unique aspect of the gorilla habituation experience is that you spend the entire day and four hours with these amazing world beings, in contrast to the typical gorilla treks, where trekkers only enjoy an hour of magical encounters with the rare mountain gorillas.
On gorilla trekking safaris, visitors are always placed with habituated gorilla families. In Uganda, there are more than 21 gorilla groups available for trekking, but only the Kutu gorilla group can be used for a gorilla habituation experience. In order to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, you must get a gorilla permit, which costs $700 per person. Gorilla licenses in Rwanda cost $1500 per person, whereas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo you need $400 to get one. Permits for gorilla habituation experiences cost $1500 per person.
A semi-habituated gorilla family is the only one that visitors are assigned to during their gorilla habituation encounter, making it by far the most extraordinary primate adventure experience. Tourists follow mountain gorillas to acclimate them to human presence before they are made available for tourism. When trekking with gorillas, trekkers investigate habituated households.
ESSENTIAL ITEMS TO PACK FOR GORILLA TREKKING AND GORILLA HABITUATION EXPERIENCES
Your packing list should include a number of necessary items for both gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation, including:
- In situations where you require assistance and might hold thorns or itchy plants, gardening gloves are vital.
- Every trekker needs possess a gorilla permit in order to be permitted to trek mountain gorillas.
- To avoid insects from biting you, use insect repellents.
- To shield your hands from falling tree branches, wear a shirt or t-shirt with long sleeves.
- A camera without a flashlight for shooting pictures.
- Wearing pants will protect you from cuts and biting insects.
- Hat to shield your head from the heat of the sun.
- Sunglasses: to protect your eyes from UV rays.
- Hiking boots that are waterproof should be light and comfortable to wear. They are perfect for keeping you safe from muddy grounds.
- Protecting your travel documents and other essentials requires a daypack. Your daypack needs to be water-resistant.
- Snacks that give you energy can help you stay energized and complete your walk.
- Bottled water is necessary for habituation since you will be spending the entire day with gorillas.
- When going on a gorilla hike, having a rain jacket or poncho is important for your protection in case it starts to pour.
- Binoculars are a necessary tool for birders because going on an adventure like gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation gives you the chance to see a variety of birds as well as mountain gorillas.
