Our 3 days Bwindi gorilla habituation experience package is a pleasant one, taking you to the southwestern part of Uganda. Gorilla habituation is the process of gradually introducing the critically endangered mountain gorillas to human presence. This is done in the natural habitat of the mountain gorillas and their behavior should never be disrupted in the process.
Currently, gorilla habituation experiences are done in Rushaga sector in the south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Gorilla habituation is quite distinct from gorilla trekking adventures. Gorilla trekking adventures offer visitors a full hour in the presence of a habituated gorilla family. Meanwhile, gorilla habituation offers 4 hours in the presence of a semi-habituated gorilla group.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a forested protected area that was established in 1991. The park covers a total of around 321 square kilometers. Bwindi is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site with around 459 mountain gorillas. Almost a half of the total global population of the mountain gorillas are found here. Thus, in the wild, Bwindi is the best place to see gorillas in Africa.
Apart from mountain gorillas, Bwindi is blessed with over 135 mammal species and 357 bird species. There are over 23 Albertine endemic bird species. These include the Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori turaco, Shelley’s crimson wing, black collared apalis and Grauer’s broadbill etc. Mammal species that you can see include African elephant, African civet, bush pig and marsh mongoose etc.
During your 3 days Bwindi gorilla habituation experience, you will also enjoy a variety of things. For example, the scenic road trips, nature walk in the forest, and equator crossing. On road, you will enjoy driving in a 4X4 safari vehicle. But you can also choose any of Monteero Safaris’ drones, minivans, buses or saloon cars tec.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Equator experience
On this first day, our dedicated driver guide will meet you at your accommodation in Kampala/Entebbe. You will get briefing about your 3 days Bwindi gorilla habituation itinerary. Immediately, you will start your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This covers a distance of around 520 kilometers from Entebbe to the destination.
You will pause at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe, Mpigi district. Here, you will have a photographing experience of standing in both the northern and southern hemispheres simultaneously. You will also witness experiments that demonstrate the unique physical properties of particles when at the equator.
At the gift shops, you will see admirable crafts and other items that you can purchase as souvenirs. Then you will continue to Igongo Cultural Center in Mbarara city for your enroute lunch. After enjoying the entire scenic drive for 10-11 hours, you will arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Check in at your lodge at the Rushaga sector. You will have dinner and overnight stay here.
Day 2: Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi
Early in the morning, around 5:00 AM, you will wake up for your early morning breakfast. Pack your picnic lunch. Your driver will take you to the Rushaga sector trailhead before 6:30 AM. There will be a briefing conducting by enthusiastic park rangers about the rules and regulations to follow during the gorilla habituation experience.
In the company of park ranger trackers and researchers, you will locate a family of gorillas in the forest. These gorillas are still undergoing habituation. You will find them and allowed 4 hours in their presence. Observe their unique behavior while following essential instructions given by the rangers and researchers. The entire activity may take half day or even full day.
You will return to the trailhead. Your driver will take you back to your lodge. Freshen up and spend the rest of the day contemplating about the magnificence of the gorillas in the wild. You will have dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Return to Kampala/Entebbe
On this third day, you will first wake up for a leisurely morning breakfast. Check out of your accommodation. You will then start your return journey to Kampala/Entebbe. There will be a pause at the Igongo Cultural Center in Mbarara for your lunch. In the evening, you will arrive in Kampala.
Your driver will take you to your accommodation or residence. However, if you are going back home, the driver will drop you off at Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of your 3 days Bwindi gorilla habituation experience in Uganda.
