Many tourists ask a question about the difference between a gorilla trek and gorilla habituation. A normal gorilla trek takes between 3 to 5 hours depending on the group that you are tracking while a gorilla habituation experience can take the whole day.
On a gorilla habituation tour you spend about 4 hours with one gorilla family. When you add this to the time it takes to hike to and from where the group is located, that’s the whole day.
The location of any gorilla group varies by up to one kilometer per day. As a result, pre-tracking rangers are usually out on the crack before dawn, to find the site of the group you will be with on that day.
One hour with a gorilla family is a great experience, while you are on a gorilla trek safari. However, 4 hours with a family is one of the greatest dreams. That’s why those who are into photography and love to take some close-up pictures of these gentle giants prefer the habituation experience.
Gorilla Habituation Experience means fewer Participants.
A maximum of eight (8) participants per trek are required on a normal gorilla trek whereas a only 4 participants are accepted on the habituation. This means a more exclusive experience for you. You will thus get a chance to learn more about the mountain gorillas. This includes their habits, ways, and daily routines from researches and trackers that you will be with.
Not only are there fewer participants, but there are fewer porters, rangers, support staff, making it an experience that allows you to focus. Because of this exclusivity many participants have appreciated the gorilla habituation experience that is only offered in Uganda. This makes it a unique Ugandan prime activity.
Location of the gorilla trek versus gorilla habituation.
Currently, the gorilla habituation experience takes place only in the Rushaga section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is so because much of the gorilla trekking activities are done in Buhoma, Ruhija, and Nkuringo sections.
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda is done in one site whereas in Uganda, it is done in five (5) locations, four of which are inside of Bwindi impenetrable forest and the other being Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Rushaga and Nkuringo are convenient locations if your fly into Kigali, Rwanda. They can be accessed from Kigali in a mere 3 hours’ drive, while it takes longer to travel to Buhoma or Ruhija sections.
Some of the recommendations
Since its inception, the gorilla habituation experience has been a popular activity with over 50% of clients, who come for gorilla trekking also getting interested in gorilla habituation. Many of them believe the habituation experience surpasses the normal gorilla trekking.
The main reason for this choice is the time spent with a gorilla family, which is 4 hours compared to the 1-hour normal gorilla trek. There is also the issue of a smaller number of visitors (4) allowed on for gorilla habituation versus the eight on a normal gorilla trek. This is in addition to vast amount of insights and knowledge you’re likely to receive from researchers and guides during the habituation process.