Gorilla trekking in Uganda is an extraordinary experience that allows you to come face-to-face with the magnificent mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Imagine standing just meters away from a magnificent silverback gorilla, its gentle gaze meeting yours amidst the lush greenery of an ancient rain forest. This isn’t a scene from a movie; it’s the reality of going on a safari in Uganda, an adventure that will leave you breathless and forever changed.
Gorilla habituation is the slow and gentle introduction of a family of wild gorillas to the presence of humans. Wild gorillas are habituated so researchers can study the species, treat them for sickness and injuries, protect them from hunters, and boost their conservation efforts with sustainable tourism.
The difference between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience starts with the cost of the permits for each activity. Currently, the cost of gorilla habituation permits for Uganda is 1500USD for foreign non-residents, 1000USD for foreign residents, and 750000shs for East Africans. The gorilla trekking permit for Uganda currently costs 800USD for foreign non-residents, 700USD for foreign residents, and 300000shs for East Africans.
The cost of gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation permit covers ranger guide fees, park entrance fees, security on gorilla safari day, one hour of gorilla trekking or four hours of gorilla habituation experience, mountain gorilla conservation, certificate and researcher fee during gorilla habituation experience, government tax.
What happens during gorilla trekking vs Gorilla Habituation Experience?
On the day of the gorilla trek, you will be required to arrive at the park headquarters as early as 7am. Both standard gorilla trekking and the habituation experience start with a briefing. The park Officials will share information about the rules for gorilla tracking after which you will be led into the forest by at least 2 park Guides or Senior Trackers/Researchers for the gorilla habituation experience. If you have heavy equipment, you can hire porters for gorilla trekking at a small fee. These porters are often students looking for school fees or parents looking for money to provide a family meal. By hiring one or two of these porters to carry your luggage, you help contribute to the well-being of their families. Communities living close to wild animals will not hurt them if they enjoy the benefits of having tourists around.
It usually takes between 30 minutes to a few hours to find a gorilla family. Advance group of porters are sent ahead to find if the gorillas are still at the location where they built their last sleeping nests. These advance team of trackers will be in constant communication with the Rangers. Once the primates are located, you will be allowed time to observe how they go about with their daily lives. Photographing gorillas and taking videos is easy but only after the Rangers have allowed you to. It is important to follow the gorilla trekking rules while in the presence of gorillas. At the end of the activity, tourists are required to report back to the park headquarters to be awarded a certificate of completion.
The duration of gorilla habituation vs tracking
The gorilla habituation experience involves spending more time with the gorillas and is led by more senior Trackers and Primatologists. It involves taking part in activities that may not be possible with gorilla trekking such as looking out for sick gorillas or naming a new born baby gorilla. The disadvantage of the gorilla habituation experience is that it involves tracking a gorilla group which is yet to get completely comfortable with humans in their presence. The chances of a gorilla charging may be higher under the gorilla habituation experience. They may also be more mobile as they tend to move away from intruders. The gorilla habituation experience is much more expensive than gorilla trekking and is more suitable for those who want to study gorillas extensively.
The purpose of gorilla tracking vs habituation
Gorilla tracking primarily focuses on observing and photographing gorillas in their natural habitat, with a shorter duration and less immersive experience while gorilla habituation experience: Involves a more comprehensive and participatory experience, allowing participants to spend more time with the gorillas and engage in a deeper understanding of their behavior and dynamics.
The Physical Demands in gorilla tracking vs gorilla habituation
Gorilla tracking requires physical stamina for the trek to and from the gorilla family’s location, which can be challenging. On the other hand, gorilla habituation experience also requires physical stamina, as participants need to trek for extended periods and navigate challenging terrain.
Visiting different gorilla families in gorilla tracking vs gorilla habituation
The gorilla trekking experience allows tourists more options because 17 gorilla families are open for standard trekking. Tourists can choose to visit a group which is more exciting to observe, one with more silverbacks or newborns. The gorilla groups under normal trekking are very comfortable with humans in their presence and easier to photograph. There are those who think that double gorilla trekking may be more exciting than the gorilla habituation experience because it involves observing two different gorilla groups. No two gorilla groups are the same and you get to see these differences with double gorilla trekking.
The group size of gorilla tracking vs habituation
Gorilla tracking allows for a group of up to eight tourists per gorilla family per day. The gorilla Habituation Experience: Limits the group to a maximum of four tourists per gorilla family, ensuring a more intimate and personalized encounter.
When is the best time for gorilla tracking and habituation?
The best time to visit the mountain gorillas is during the dry season (June to August and December to February) when the roads in the parks are dry and not slippery. Travelers are advised to carry raincoats because the weather in and around the park is unpredictable due to the dense tropical rain-forests. Travelers are also advised to pack strong waterproof hiking boots, sun glasses, insect repellents, cameras and binoculars to enhance the quality of their experience.
In conclusion
Both experiences offer unique opportunities to observe and appreciate these magnificent creatures while supporting their conservation. The choice ultimately depends on individual preferences, time constraints, and budget.
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