The difference between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience is one of the frequently asked questions by most travelers booking gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Whereas some people have often mistaken gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation to be the same, the two terms are different but related. One experience leads to the other! Every traveler intending to do gorilla trekking is advised to first understand the difference between gorilla trekking and gorilla habitation to avoid mistakes. African Apes Tours gives you details on the difference between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. The differences are based on the prices, location, the number of people allowed, gorilla families and how the experience is done.
What is gorilla trekking & what is gorilla Habituation Experience
Gorilla trekking is the hike up and down hill in search of mountain gorillas in the jungle. It involves following up different trails in the jungle until you meet the allocated gorilla family. Gorilla habituation experience is the training of wild gorillas to make them get used with human presence. This means that gorilla habituation experience is the first step that all mountain gorillas go through before they are free for trekking. Therefore, gorilla habituation experience is the pre gorilla trekking experience.
Where to do gorilla trekking and habituation experience
Mountain gorilla trekking is done in four national parks, which are Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in Uganda and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks in Uganda. You can choose to trek gorillas in any one of these four parks or do a combined a gorilla trekking safari across all gorilla parks for an extensive experience. The actual experience of gorilla trekking in each park is exceptional in its won kind and worth doing. On the other hand, mountain gorilla habituation experience is only done in Rushaga sector in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. It’s only in this region (Rushaga) that you can do gorilla habituation experience in the whole world.
Number of gorilla families
Altogether, the whole world has 36 gorilla families habituated for trekking divided among the four gorilla parks in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 17 gorilla families are habituated in Bwindi Forest National Park, 10 gorilla groups in Volcanoes Park, 8 in Virunga Park and 1 gorilla family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. On the other side of gorilla habituation experience, only two gorilla families are currently undergoing the training experience in Rushaga sector. These families are Bushaho and Bikyingi gorilla groups and these will be opened soon for trekking.
Cost of gorilla trekking & gorilla habituation experience
Gorilla trekking costs vary in each country (Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo). In Rwanda, a single gorilla trekking permit costs $1500 paid by all travelers while each Congo gorilla permit costs $450. In Uganda, gorilla permits cost is categorized into foreign non-residents, foreign residents and East African citizens. Each Uganda gorilla permit costs $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African Citizens. Regarding the cost of gorilla habituation experience, each permit costs $1500 for foreign non residents, $1000 for foreign residents and UGX 750,000 for East African citizens.
Availability of permits
There are many gorilla trekking permits available each day compared to gorilla habituation permits. The availability of gorilla permits depends on the number of people visiting each family and the number of gorilla families available. Regarding the availability of gorilla permits, Uganda has 144 gorilla permits, Rwanda has 80 gorilla permits and Congo has 64 gorilla trekking permits available each day. On the other hand, only 8-gorilla habituation experience permits available each day. There are two gorilla families for habituation each visited by 4 people hence 8 permits altogether.
Number of people allowed
In gorilla trekking, eight people visit each gorilla family at once while only 4 people are allowed per family in gorilla habituation experience. However in gorilla trekking, travelers hike in the compnay of park rangers. In gorilla habituation, travelers hike along a team of gorilla doctors, researchers and park rangers.
The allowed time in each experience
Travelers in gorilla trekking experience are allowed an hour with the mountain gorillas while in gorilla habituation experience travelers spend four hours with the endangered mountain gorillas. In both experiences however, the time is counted from the moment traveler’s meet the gorillas. Hiking up and down hill before meeting the gorillas can take up to over 7 hours depending on the location of gorillas and the hiking speed and physical fitness of travelers. Gorilla habituation experience is an extensive part of gorilla trekking!
Similarities
Despite some differences, the two experiences have some similarities. These include:
Age Limit
In both gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences, travelers below 15 years are not allowed. The strenuous nature of looking for gorillas in the jungle is one of the reasons for age limit. Its believed that travelers below 15 years cannot adhere to the rules and regulations of gorilla watching especially keeping a distance and talking at a low tone.
What to pack
The packing list for gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences is the same. Both experiences require you to pack the right gears ad essentials to ensure stress and any difficulties. The things to pack for gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience include closed hiking boots/shoes, gardening gloves, rain jacket, sweaters, long pants, long sleeved shirts, hat, sun glasses, insect repellants, toiletries, sanitary wear for women, bottled drinking water and energy giving snacks. Carrying the right essential for the two experiences is the first key to ensure successful and enjoyable gorilla encounters.
Rules and regulations
In both experiences, travelers are required to follow the rules and regulations as briefed at the start of the day. The dos and don’ts while with gorillas include among others:
1. Keep a distance of at least 7 meters away from the gorillas
2. Do not visit mountain gorillas when sick. The endangered species share over 90% of human genes hence susceptible to human communicable diseases.
3. Speak at a low tone. A loud voice irritates the gorillas)
4. Do not look direct into the eyes of the gorillas
5. Do not use flashlight cameras. The light makes gorillas uncomfortable
6. Do not litter anything in the park
7. Do not eat, drink or smoke in the presence of the gorillas
8. When the gorilla charges, keep calm and step back slowly.
When and how to book to book
Booking for gorilla trekking and habituation experience is recommended some time in advance. You should book for permits at least 4 months to the actual date to ensure timely planning. On booking, you deposit a 30% deposit fee to reserve your permit. Zero balance is required at least 2 months to the visiting day. The high demand for permits and low supply is one of the reasons for advance booking. Permits are issued on first come first serve basis. You can book directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda and Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda. However booking through African Apes Holidays is the simplest and easy way to book and reserve your gorilla trekking and habituation permits in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Conclusively therefore, gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences are different experiences but rather one leads to the other. If possible, you can do both experiences at different times for accurate comparisons and a lifetime experience with Africa Apes Tours & Travel.