How different is gorilla habituation from gorilla trekking.

When comparing a typical one-hour gorilla trekking trip with a habituation session, there are more contrasts than parallels. Here we’ll evaluate the two options for you based on price, length, experience, ease of booking, and likelihood of seeing gorillas.

Even though all of these popular tourist activities entail seeing mountain gorillas, we’ll explain the differences between them so you can make an informed choice before you add either to your African safari.

An overview of gorilla habituation, its background and significance

Mountain gorillas may be “habituated” by humans such that they get used to being around people. For as long as three years, a group of primatologists, researchers, and specialists in gorilla habituation will visit a specific family of mountain gorillas and teach them new skills until they are comfortable being visited by tourists. Depending on the family, different wild mountain gorillas may take different amounts of time to adjust to human presence.

Adventure vacations, safaris, and the history of habituation with gorillas…

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has offered a gorilla habituation experience as a visitor excursion for the last four years. There is a 4-hour gorilla walk in the southern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that was instituted in 2014 by the park’s administration.

During this journey, no more than four visitors were permitted to see a gorilla family under habituation. When it came to guided gorilla habituation trips to Nkuringo and Rushaga, Katland Safaris was among the pioneers. Katland Safaris has been the go-to destination for thrilling four-hour gorilla treks since 2014 and will continue to do so in 2025.

How does a habituation encounter with gorillas vary from a typical gorilla trek?

The most recent offering is the gorilla habituation experience, which debuted in Uganda in 2014. An opportunity to spend more time with mountain gorillas was seen as a sensible choice by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which is part of the Ugandan government. There have been hundreds of excursions to Bwindi since then, all organized by Katland Safaris.

Spend four hours learning about mountain gorilla behavior via activities like naming, calling, collecting and testing stool, and listening to knowledgeable speakers. You’ll visit a gorilla family that is still under habituation, so they haven’t fully acclimated yet. Such actions are indicative of how these gorillas feel, such as whether they are enraged, delighted, or just sick of humans. We can discuss this in further depth if you contact us.

In a habituation household, how many individuals are allowed to visit at once?

Each gorilla family is limited to no more than four visitors each day. Due to the fact that these gorillas are only partially accustomed to humans, we have decided to limit the group size at four. This translates to 4 permits every day, 150 per month, and 1440 per year.

For anyone interested in gorilla habituation experiences starting in 2024–2025, it is recommended to get in touch with Katland Safaris ahead of time so we can verify availability, make reservations, and arrange your permit. For all-inclusive tours booked with Katland Safaris, gorilla habituation permits are free of charge. Further information might be obtained by contacting us.

Can you tell me how much a habituation experience permit for gorillas would cost?

The fee to view and spend four hours with habituated mountain gorillas is $1,500 for non-resident foreigners, $1,000 for foreign residents with a valid passport, and Shs750,000 for inhabitants of East Africa. The regular gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 as of July 1st, thus this makes it more costly.

For this price, you may spend up to four hours in the company of mountain gorillas, embark on a forest walk led by specialists in gorilla habituation, pay to enter Bwindi National Park, have your bearings, and get a certificate upon completion of the journey. Your lodging, food, and transportation to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are not included in the charge.

Reasoning behind the $1500 price tag for gorilla habituation permits

To spend $1500 on a mountain gorilla safari, as opposed to, say, $800 for a gorilla permit in Uganda, requires compelling reasons. One should think about spending $1500 or $1,000 on habituation for two reasons.

First, you’ll have four hours of viewing time with the gorillas on a habituation trip, which means you’ll have more time for other things. Getting four hours would need four days of planning, which isn’t feasible with the standard gorilla trek permit, which only permits one hour. This is why gorilla habituation safaris are so worthwhile.

The second justification is that, rather of spending $2800 (for four standard gorilla licenses) to spend four hours with gorillas, one may have a gorilla habituation experience for far less money.

Gorilla habituation permits are available for $1500, which is a great deal since you may save $1300 if you feel the urge to spend additional time with mountain gorillas. Gorilla habituation safaris are a great investment; all you have to do is do the arithmetic.

Safari odds of seeing habituation encounter gorillas

In all honesty, mountain gorillas are still adjusting to human presence, so there’s a possibility you could spot one. This is due to the fact that the whereabouts and actions of these animals are completely unpredictable. The usual journey offers a 98% chance of sighting gorillas, but this setup makes that impossible.

Regardless, every single habituation safari we’ve ever run has been a resounding success. Due to the fact that these are wild creatures that would do whatever to avoid humans, the only real difficulty that visitors face is the rather difficult nature of the walks. The best part is that you won’t just observe and take pictures; you’ll be actively involved in everything that happens during the day.

Where can I find a national park where I may go monkey trekking?

Gorilla habituation safaris are only available in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of four national parks that are home to mountain gorillas. The only area of Bwindi that can host participants in this 4-hour gorilla trekking excursion is the southern half of the park. Bwindi National Park’s southern half is made up of the Kisoro district’s Rushaga and Nkuringo sections.

Since all gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga National Park have habituated and none remain, it is now impossible to have a gorilla habituation experience there. Consequently, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Uganda are the best places to go gorilla habituating. Take a safari with Katland and see the world.

When it comes to gorilla habituation safaris, how many families or groups are available?

The only mountain gorilla groups now available for habuation experiences are in Uganda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Both of these may be found in the forest’s southernmost section. There are a total of 3,880 gorilla permits available every year, with 8 available daily, 240 available monthly, and 4 visitors allowed per gorilla group. The aim is that other places, such as Buhoma in the north and Ruhija in the east, would be able to welcome additional families as the gorilla population grows.

Worst Questions Ever Received Regarding Habituation with Gorillas

If you are looking for up-to-date information on gorilla trekking and habituation in Uganda, go no further than Katland Safaris. Send us an email using this form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible with additional details about our gorilla journey and the packages we provide.

Typical one-hour gorilla trekking, as well as its description and background

Gorilla trekking is venturing into the forest or wild in pursuit of habituated gorilla families. After a briefing at 8:30 in the morning, participants proceed on a trip through the jungle in search of habituated gorillas, who are able to welcome or permit humans to see them.

This may take anywhere from half an hour to three quarters of a day, depending on how active the trekkers are and how far the animals go. Experience the thrill of gorilla trekking with the help of a knowledgeable ranger guide. Accompanied by other armed rangers, they will ensure your safety and direction as you go into the jungle.

The hike begins at the park headquarters and continues along a predetermined path to the first sleeping spot of these gorillas. If you want to know where a certain family is going, you may discover their nests here. It is usually simple to locate these gorillas since they leave behind a pass. You will have one hour to spend with these gorillas once they are cited.

During this hour, you may snap pictures while watching their actions and asking them any questions you have. It is imperative that you adhere to the protocols established by UWA while interacting with mountain gorillas.

You will often return to the park headquarters by a small trail or path after the allotted hour. A certificate attesting to your involvement in gorilla trekking and conservation activities will be bestowed to you at the Park headquarters. Kindly inform Katland Safaris in advance if you would want to arrange for a different trip the following day.

Trekking with mountain gorillas in the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda
No discussion of gorilla trekking’s past would be complete without including Diane Fossel. Among the many things this illustrious primatologist did during his extensive stays in Rwanda and the Virunga area was to pioneer gorilla habituation and hiking. This is how the practice of going on gorilla treks began in Rwanda and eventually expanded to other nations.

In 1993, the first completely habituated gorilla family was opened up in Buhoma, situated in the northern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in Uganda, marking the beginning of gorilla trekking. The Mubale group is the first gorilla family.

Travelers interested in seeing the world’s oldest gorilla group continue to flock to the Mubare family. Following Ruhondeza’s (the chief silverback) death, this family has seen a steady decline in size. There was a sharp decline in the group’s numbers, but things turned around when the new silverback began raiding other families for members.

The best way to arrange to see gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda

Getting a gorilla permit is the first step in ensuring sightings of gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda. The Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda and the Rwandan Department of Culture and Tourism (RDC) in Rwanda both provide gorilla permits that, when shown, let visitors to spend one hour in the company of habituated gorilla families. You may also see the mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Contact Katland Safaris with your desired dates to begin the process of reserving gorilla permits. We went on to verify their availability and, if feasible, make a reservation. After you make the payment, we will take care of purchasing your gorilla permit and scheduling your trip accordingly. Go on a gorilla safari with assured permits and see some of our most popular adventures.

What is the average duration of a visit to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda?

You may spend an hour in the company of habituated mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda on a gorilla trekking adventure. As long as you obey the guidelines established by the relevant authorities in Rwanda and Uganda, you are free to capture still images and short movies.

The total duration of the hike might range from thirty minutes to three quarters of a day, however the time allotted for observing gorillas is one hour. An prior reservation is required for a gorilla permit if your gorilla viewing ambitions extend beyond that. Seeking or pursuing gorillas on consecutive days is not possible. In order to go on the second or third trek you wanted to do in Uganda, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow.

What is the going rate for a Rwandan and Ugandan gorilla permit?

Gorilla permits are subject to fluctuating prices, particularly after a two-year period. Seeing gorillas for an hour in Rwanda costs $1500 per person in 2020–2025, but in Uganda, the price drops to $800 per person beginning July 1, 2020. When you book your gorilla excursion with Katland Safaris before June 30, 2020, you may save $800. Rwanda aspires to be a premium destination, which is why it is far more costly than Uganda. Looking for something more budget-friendly? Uganda has you covered.

No matter which nation you select, your gorilla permit will include an hour with the primates, a ranger guide, security, and a certificate to be given to you after the walk is over.

What is the number of habituated gorilla families in Rwanda and Uganda?

According to the most recent count, Uganda is home to more mountain gorillas than any other nation on Earth. More over half of the 460 people in Bwindi and Mgahinga are in Uganda. When compared to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda has the highest concentration of habituated mountain gorillas.

Currently, there is one mountain gorilla in Mgahinga and perhaps twenty habituated gorillas in Bwindi. This woodland is home to fifty gorilla families in Bwindi alone. The 20 gorilla families in Rwanda are split evenly between those used for research and those for gorilla trekking.

On any given journey in Uganda or Rwanda, how likely is it that one may spot gorillas?

Mountain gorilla sightings in Rwanda and Uganda are more likely than on a gorilla habituation experience safari. Our research indicates that the odds of seeing gorillas on a typical walk through Rwanda or Uganda are 98%. Assuming both nations’ gorilla trekking programs are well-structured, this may happen.

In most cases, a reconnaissance group will track these gorillas and then tell the remainder to meet them. The restrictions and conditions will be enforced in the event that the gorillas are not seen.

Get in touch with Katland Safaris if you would want more details on their gorilla habituation experience or gorilla trekking. Katland Safaris has perfected the art of tailoring unforgettable gorilla excursions to Rwanda and Uganda to each client’s unique interests, schedule, and budget.

How much is a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda and Rwanda.

Visitors visiting Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda’s Bwindi National Park, and Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park are required to have a gorilla trekking permit, which is provided by the Rwandan Department of Tourism (RDB). A gorilla trekking permit to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga costs $800.00 and is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Conversely, a gorilla permit to hike mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, costs $1500 per person. Foreign nationals and citizens of East Africa are eligible for a discounted rate in Uganda. An additional $800 will be required of non-Ugandan nationals residing in Southern Sudan, Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, or Uganda for a gorilla permit.

Tourists from East Africa may visit gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga for 750,000 Uganda shillings. In order to book your gorilla permit and find out which category you fall into, please get in touch with Katland Safaris.

Explain Uganda’s decision to raise the price of gorilla permits from $700 to $800.

Prices for Uganda gorilla trekking permits had been $700 per person each trek from 2014 through 30 June 2024; however, from 1 July 2024 through 2025, the price will drop to $800 per person. The Ugandan government opted to tack on an additional $100 to ease the financial burden of the influx of visitors who saw gorilla safaris in Uganda as a more budget-friendly alternative to Rwanda, where the cost each trip exceeds $1500.

An other reason for the price hike is to support efforts to protect the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga, which were once considered endangered. Notably, the world’s highest population of mountain gorillas is found in Uganda. The most recent census, which took place in 2018, found that 50 mountain gorilla families and 450 people called Bwindi home.

Your $800 visit to Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla forests will go toward funding conservation efforts for mountain gorillas. Staff and rangers of the Uganda Wildlife Authority are paid using these funds. Community development initiatives also get funding from this source.

Trips to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda in 2024 and 2025 Three-day Bwindi Forest gorilla trekking adventure

Why does a gorilla permit cost less in Rwanda than in Uganda?

Gorilla trekking is the same in both Rwanda and Uganda, although the Ugandan permit is much less expensive. For instance, you’ll earn a diploma upon completion of your journey, spend an hour with mountain gorillas, and be led by rangers from your own country.

The question then arises as to why the price of a Rwandan gorilla permit—which allows visitors to observe mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park—is $1500, more than double the price of an equivalent ticket in Uganda ($800).

To portray Rwanda as a luxury tourism destination and to bolster conservation efforts to rescue mountain gorillas, among other reasons, the Rwandan government contemplated fixing the price of her gorilla licenses at $1500 per person.

In contrast to Rwanda, Uganda has not made significant investments in marketing or infrastructure and is still relatively unknown to many. Uganda has chosen to undercut Rwanda’s pricing in order to remain competitive.

How much does a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda and Uganda cost?

Despite the fact that gorilla licenses in Rwanda and Uganda cost different amounts. You may spend an hour with the gorillas, have a ranger guide lead you, feel safe in the jungle, and get a certificate at the end of your gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda or Uganda.

These gorilla permits may sound pricey, but they don’t include your transportation or lodging either before or after your expedition. Bwindi and Volcanoes National Parks are two destinations that Katland Safaris arranges all-inclusive gorilla safaris to. Gorilla safaris in Rwanda and Uganda are available here.

On what date can I get a permit to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda?

Tourists from all over the globe go to Rwanda and Uganda to go gorilla trekking. The majority of tourists that go to East Africa seek to observe mountain gorillas in their native environment. This has increased the level of competition in gorilla trekking.

To ensure availability, it is recommended to reserve your gorilla trekking permit at least four to five months, if not a year, in advance. In contrast to Rwanda’s ten gorilla families, Uganda’s nineteen gorilla families see an average of eight visitors daily.

Seeing mountain gorillas is as easy as contacting Katland Safaris and providing them with the dates and country of your choice.

It is our intention to investigate if permits are available in Rwanda and Uganda. We will check the system for availability, issue you an invoice, and then purchase the items on your behalf. After you pay, we will email you a scanned copy of the receipt so you may keep it for your records.

Accommodations in the Volcanoes, Bwindi, and Mgahinga National Parks

Various lodges in Rwanda and Uganda, ranging from budget to luxury, are closely associated with Katland Safaris. That being said, we can modify our gorilla safari to fit your needs, interests, and budget. Some of the Bwindi budget lodges that we partner with include the Buhoma Community Camp, Rushaga gorilla Haven Lodge, and Trekkers Tervan in Ruhija.

We may arrange lodging at Buhoma Haven, Engagi, or Nkuringo Mountain Gorilla Lodge for anyone who would rather stay in the Mid Range. A few examples of five-star lodges in the area include Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs, and Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge.

The lodge you choose will be determined by the permit that you have booked. Lodges in the northern area of Bwindi will be reserved for you if, throughout the booking/confirmation process, we are able to get gorilla permits for your trekking. We will reserve southern lodges if we are granted gorilla permission to travel in the south.

Directions to Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

From either Entebbe or Kigali International Airport, visitors may take a car trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. Since the travel from Entebbe Airport in Uganda to Kigali International Airport in Rwanda is just four to five hours, rather than eight to ten, it is more convenient to fly into Rwanda and then hike gorillas in Uganda.

Take a look at our Rwanda to Uganda gorilla trekking packages. There are both scheduled and charter flights to Bwindi every day for those who would rather fly. Get in touch with us if you’re interested in gorilla safaris by air.

Those planning to visit Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda to embark on a gorilla trek should fly into Kigali and then drive two or three hours to get to the park. At any time of year, Katland Safaris can arrange all-inclusive vacations to Rwanda so that you may view the gorillas.

For more information about gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, including the age limit, what to bring on a gorilla trek, whether it’s safe for elderly people to trek, and much more, get in touch with Katland Safaris.

You can’t go wrong with Katland safaris as your gorilla trekking guide in Rwanda and Uganda. They have been in the business for over a decade. Feel free to get in touch with us or check out our safari booking and TripAdvisor sites for additional details about what we offer.

Companies allowed to book gorilla permits in Uganda.

To observe mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park, tourists may obtain gorilla permits in Uganda via the organization of Uganda Tour operators (AUTO). With a license from the Uganda Tourism Board, Katland Safaris may provide tours and travel in both Rwanda and Uganda.

The company is also a full member of AUTO. To book your gorilla trekking safari with Katland Safaris, you can be certain that you will get excellent and prompt service. For guaranteed gorilla permits for gorilla trips in Uganda, go here.

Getting your gorilla permit from a tour operator is essential.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority’s database of gorilla permits is accessible only to a select few tour providers, including Katland Safaris. We can verify and advise on permit availability for Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks at any time of day or night since we have 24/7 access to these databases.

We promise to respond quickly to your inquiry on the availability of gorilla trekking permits for a certain day and month when you book your permit via our service. This will help you make an informed choice about your visit.

We are able to hold the licenses for a maximum of seven days while we await payment, and not all Ugandan firms have this permission. After the seven days have passed and you have paid the invoice, we kindly request that you email us POP (proof of payment) since it usually takes three or four business days for the funds to appear in our bank account.

Even before the funds appear in our account, we will often utilize our credit to cover the cost of your gorilla permit. You may pay with either an electronic transfer or a credit or debit card, with the latter incurring an additional 5% fee.

Just two weeks before your journey, we will return to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to collect your gorilla permit cards, which must be shown on the day of the trek. We will email you scanned copies of the receipts once we receive payment for the permits.

The online booking mechanism for gorilla permits administered by the Uganda Wildlife Authority

The Uganda Wildlife Authority created an online system to make it easier for approved and chosen tour operators to book gorilla trekking permits and monitor their availability. This enables for hassle-free gorilla trekking in Uganda. Katland Safaris is one of the tour operators that has used this technique since its introduction in 2016.

To verify availability, companies would have to call or visit the UWA headquarters the first time they had a request for gorilla permits or tours. Tour companies and individual travelers were both inconvenienced by the time this took. The current system of issuing gorilla permits on a first-come, first-served basis to everyone who showed up with cash makes it impossible to retain or reserve permits in advance.

One issue that tour operators faced was the overwhelming number of calls and emails, which made it difficult to reach an audience or get a response. The process of verifying gorilla permits is now much simpler thanks to this web-based approach.

Can anybody use the internet to verify a gorilla’s permit?

Only authorized tour companies have been able to access and book Uganda gorilla trekking permits online since they went live. In most cases, we inform prospective customers of our availability as quickly as possible, and Katland Safaris is one of the very few tour operators with access to this information.

 When the internet system for obtaining gorilla permits is unavailable, what will happen?

Problems with the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s online gorilla permit systems do arise from time to time, as does any program. If the gorilla permits online system is experiencing any issues, we may contact UWA headquarters to inquire about availability for you. If you have any questions or need assistance with verifying or booking your gorilla trek permit, our representative is available 24/7 and usually visits the UWA offices.

Is the Uganda Wildlife Authority the best place to get my gorilla permit?

Anyone thinking of visiting Uganda to undertake gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga has likely wondered this same thing. Could it work? I would say yes. To arrange for gorilla permits via the Uganda Wildlife Authority, one must contact them by phone or email, and a member of their reservations staff will respond.

They will let you know whether the permits are available on the day you’ve specified and give you an invoice to pay using a UWA bank account. You will be required to personally receive your gorilla permit card after making payment, as long as you can provide identification such as a passport or driver’s license.

Although this seems to be a straightforward and easy way to book your gorilla permit, some who have attempted contacting by phone or email have reported receiving unsatisfactory replies. Many of our customers have expressed their distress to us about how difficult this ordeal was.

Hopefully, things will get better in the future, but in the meantime, we recommend that you book your gorilla permit via a reputable tour operator in Uganda to avoid any unnecessary bother. If you are looking for an unforgettable safari experience, contact Katland.

Price changes for gorilla permits in Uganda for 2024 and 2025

Entry to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga for mountain gorillas in Uganda will cost $800 for non-resident foreigners, $700 for foreign residents with a work visa, and 300,000 Uganda shillings for East African nationals starting July 1, 2024. Prior to July 1, 2025, non-residents may enjoy a reduced rate of $800 when they book their gorilla trekking expedition.

A gorilla habituation experience permit, which allows visitors to spend an additional four hours in the company of mountain gorillas, may be reserved for $1,500 per person in Uganda. Currently, safaris to Rushaga and Nkuringo in the southern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are being organized for gorilla habituation experience. Click here for more information on Katland Safaris’ Gorilla Habituation Safaris.

Trekking Uganda Gorillas from Nairobi

Included in a budget gorilla habituation safari Bwindi.

More and more people are opting for four-hour gorilla treks, so it’s important to understand what a budget gorilla habituation safari includes. Our four-hour gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi isn’t cheap, but we recommend cutting down on other expenses if you’re interested in making a reservation.

We want to stress in this piece that when we say “budget,” we do not mean dirt inexpensive vacations. We make it easy for you to have a fun and memorable four-hour event without breaking the bank. Before you book anything, make sure you know what’s included in Katland Safaris’ budget gorilla habituation safari.

In a budget gorilla habituation safari, the permit is already included.

Your four-hour gorilla permit will be purchased and included when you buy our budget gorilla habituation safari or tour. When you get in touch with us, we’ll be happy to provide you with information on the cost of a gorilla habituation permit, verify its availability, and provide you with payment instructions.

In the southern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you may spend four hours with mountain gorillas in the company of researchers and professionals in gorilla habituation with this gorilla habituation permit. We will ensure that the cost of your permits is covered in our 3-day gorilla habituation experience trip or our 5-day gorilla habituation and chimpanzee safari.

A cheap gorilla habituation safari includes transportation.

For your gorilla habituation trip in the southern area of Bwindi, Katland Safaris will take care of your transportation needs. Transportation to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is included in the price of any of our gorilla habituation tours, whether it’s a two-day or three-day safari. For the convenience of our customers, we have a collection of 4×4 Safari vehicles at our disposal.

No matter where you’re going, we can pick you up from anyplace in Rwanda or Uganda. Our cars are chauffeured by experienced and trained drivers, and they are all four-wheel drive with air conditioning. We may make arrangements for your flight to Kisoro Airstrip from Entebbe Airport if that is more convenient for you.

Gorilla habituation safaris that don’t break the bank include lodging.

Katland Safaris offers a cheap habituation safari that includes accommodation. In the southern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Katland Safaris has strong partnerships with some of the top budget accomodation facilities.

Our most popular low-cost alternative in the southern Rushaga and Nkuringo regions is the Rushaga Havens Gorilla Lodge, which has private bathrooms, large, comfortable mattresses, beautiful forest views, and HIFI. Closer to the road leading to the Rushaga Gorilla Park headquarters is the Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge. The distance between the Lodge and the Park headquarters is around fifteen minutes by car. The Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge has been featured in this article with images.

Gorilla habituation safaris on a budget include a guide.

Your presence is much appreciated at Katland safaris. Your driving guide is a crucial part of your journey, and we get that. Our skilled driver guides are familiar with the history, flora, and biodiversity of the places we take you on tours. A driving guide is an essential component of any mountain gorilla safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, whether you’re traveling in a small group or on your own.

For those looking for an affordable gorilla habituation safari, Katland Safaris offers pre-tour and planning help. After you submit an inquiry, one of our expert safari designers will be assigned to your request and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our affordable gorilla habituation experience trip.

We were the first safari firm to send visitors for gorilla habituation experiences in Bwindi, and now we’re one of the top tour operators for Uganda and Rwanda. To check out what our form customers have to say about our service, you may find us on Safari bookings and Trip Advisor. If you are looking for reliable information about your four-hour gorilla habituation adventure, don’t hesitate to contact Katland safaris.

Included in a gorilla habituation permit price, cost.

It is crucial to understand what is included in a gorilla habituation permit as gorilla habituation experiences are one of the newest and most interesting products of gorilla trekking in Uganda. The most recent and fascinating product in the gorilla trekking market, the gorilla habituation experience, is now available only in Uganda.

Spend as much as four (4) hours in the company of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on a gorilla habituation experience trip, vacation, or trek. Here in the southern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, researchers and specialists from the Uganda Wildlife Authority are now acclimating fresh families of gorillas for this four-hour trekking excursion.

The cost of a gorilla habituation permit includes

Current tariffs from the Uganda Wildlife Authority indicate that non-resident foreigners must pay $1500 for a gorilla habituation permit, while foreign residents with work licenses must pay $1000.00, and East African citizens must pay 750,000 Ug shs.

Considering that a typical gorilla climb costs USD700.00 per person for an hour, this is a rather pricey activity. Whatever the case may be, before making a reservation or final decision, it is important to understand just what a gorilla habituation permit cost entails.

Enjoy a four-hour encounter with gorillas

For $1500, you may spend up to four hours in the company of habituated mountain gorillas in a single day, as opposed to the standard one-hour gorilla habituation in Rwanda (at Volcanoes National Park) or Uganda (at a cost of $700).

As a result, you’ll end up saving both time and money. Because the standard gorilla trek permit in Rwanda permits just one hour per day with mountain gorillas and the gorilla permit in Uganda only allows one hour per day, a four-day journey is required to reach fours with mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda using the conventional method.

Uganda has to devise these mountain gorilla experience permits to aid those who are short on time but yet want to spend plenty of time with these amazing primates.

With a gorilla habituation permit, you may save up to 900 USD for foreign non-residents and 1500 USD for foreign residents. This adds out to a total of $2400 USD for the four gorilla permits, spread out over four days, if you want to hike with mountain gorillas in Uganda for four hours using the regular USD800gorilla permits.

Consequently, a four-hour gorilla adventure in the southern portion of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a prudent and affordable investment of $1500 or $1,000. Even more impressive than the outrageously priced USD1500 gorilla hike in Rwanda, which lasts only one hour, is the gorilla habituation experience. You may spend up to four hours in the company of mountain gorillas with Uganda’s gorilla habituation permit, so there’s really no excuse not to visit the country.

Entrance fees to parks are part of a gorilla habituation permit.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park admission is included in each gorilla habituation experience permit. As of right now, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is charging USD $40 per person, per day, for admission to major national parks. You won’t have to worry about shelling out any more cash for park fees since your gorilla habituation permits already cover them.

A habituation permit for gorillas includes researchers and gorilla guides.

Professionally trained ranger guides and researchers or specialists responsible for habituating wild mountain gorillas to humans lead gorilla habituation experience safaris, vacations, or treks, in contrast to the typical one-hour gorilla excursion.

Experts in the field are the only ones capable of completing the long process of habituating wild mountain gorillas to humans. Consequently, these specialists will lead your gorilla habituation experience excursion or vacation in Rwanda and Uganda with extensive expertise of mountain gorillas.

Katland’s gorilla habituation experience safaris put you at ease by ensuring that your four-hour journey with the habituated primates is led by highly qualified researchers and specialists in the field.

In addition to taking pictures and notes

Instead of the one-hour gorilla trekking permits, individuals are opting for the gorilla habituation experience permits for a number of reasons.

Why? Because with a gorilla habituation experience permit, you can do more than just watch and take pictures or videos—you can also listen to knowledgeable speakers and take part in activities that help the mountain gorillas become used to humans. Stool collecting, person identifying, call-making, and a plethora of other things fall under this category. Consequently, it is not your average hour-long trip with gorillas.

A habituation permit for gorillas includes security measures

While visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to habituate with gorillas, you may be certain that the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Ugandan government would take all necessary precautions to keep you safe.

The safety and security of visitors to the forest may be assured since all of the ranger guides and trackers hired by the Uganda Wildlife Authority have received paramilitary training. In addition to the aforementioned measures, the security of tourists in Uganda is overseen by a dedicated police unit known as the Uganda Tourism Police.

Your safety in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park depends on having a gorilla habituation permit. To ensure your safety and to ward off any wild creatures you may encounter on your journey, rangers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority carry AK-47 rifles.

You will get a certificate following your gorilla habituation expedition in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is part of your gorilla habituation permit. The gorilla habituation certificate serves as a memento of your involvement in efforts to protect the mountain gorillas of the Virunga Massif, which are in danger of extinction. It is also a record of your accomplishments.

Feel free to contact Katland Safaris with any questions you may have regarding our 3-day gorilla habituation experience safari or our 5-day gorilla and chimpanzee habituation trip, all of which feature gorilla habituation experiences. Safari bookings and TripAdvisor reviews consistently rank Katland Safaris as the best destination safari company in Rwanda and Uganda. Get in touch with us if you are interested in private, group, or tailor-made safaris to Rwanda and Uganda.

Please do not hesitate to contact our expert safari planners via email or phone if you would need more information about the contents of a gorilla habituation permit or would like to schedule a reasonably priced four-hour gorilla trek. Contact us, and we will provide you with the most current and trustworthy information and guidance that you can depend on while organizing an unforgettable gorilla habituation experience.

Budget gorilla habituation experience safaris.

Mountain gorillas still in habituation in the southern portion of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park may be seen on safaris organized by Katland Safaris, who provide luxury, midrange, and budget options.

Those lucky enough to get a spot on the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s brand new gorilla habituation tour may spend as much as four hours in the company of habituated mountain gorillas. The southern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is now hosting this four-hour gorilla habituation program.

Regarding affordable safaris where gorillas habituate

The varying costs of the permit, transportation, and lodging are all included into our affordable gorilla habituation experience safaris. Foreign non-residents must pay USD1500.00 for a gorilla habituation experience permit, whereas East African residents must pay USD1000.00 and East African residents must pay UGx 750,000.

After you pay, you’ll be able to spend as much as four hours in the company of mountain gorillas. While the cost of gorilla habituation may seem high at first glance, it really works out to be less costly than the standard gorilla trip permits. Take the one-hour gorilla trip of 800 as an example; it requires four days, up to $2400 for the four permits, and it’s all about the gorillas. A gorilla habituation experience permit might save you up to USD900 when you book it.

Since the price of a gorilla habituation permit is constant, a budget gorilla habituation experience safari should prioritize cutting expenses wherever possible, including in transportation and lodging.

Safaris to See Gorillas in Their Natural Habitat Katland Safaris takes great care to accommodate your budget-friendly gorilla habitat excursion. Budget travel and lodging does not imply inexpensive travel in our opinion.

All of the properties used in our budget accommodations are fully self-contained, with private bathrooms and en suites, and the majority of them provide WIFI in public areas. Those who have stayed in them can attest to this.

All meals included, most of them cost between fifty and seventy bucks per person. So, you may be certain that you will receive a decent night’s sleep at a reasonably priced apartment within this budget. Contact us, and we will arrange for you to go on a safari where you may get to know gorillas in a low-cost way.

Logistics for our affordable gorilla habituation safaris

Travel to the southern sections of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from either Kigali International Airport or Entebbe International Airport requires a mode of transportation. In the park’s southern section, you’ll find Nkuringo and Rushaga.

Between Entebbe and Bwindi, the driving time is about 9–10 hours, whereas from Kigali International Airport it takes around 4–5 hours. To guarantee that you will be to the forest in time for your journey, you must reserve your transportation with us.

Luxury and cheap safaris are both catered to by Katland Safaris’ fleet of vehicles. Affordable and very comfortable, our budget gorilla habituation tours are conducted in specially designed 4×4 safari vehicles. Here you may see an example of a three-day safari that focuses on gorilla habituation.

Among the first tour operators to provide gorilla habituation experiences in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Katland Safaris was a pioneer. You can rely on our extensive safari expertise and our commitment to finding you the best deal when you book with us.

We will arrange for your lodging, transportation to and from the southern portion of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and gorilla habituation permit. If you would want to know more, you may check out the reviews our previous customers left on sites like SafariBooking and TripAdvisor.

Excluded in a gorilla permit.

The contents of a gorilla permit were covered in our previous post, however we neglected to include their exclusions. A gorilla trip in Rwanda or Uganda may be rather expensive because to the exorbitant cost of a gorilla permit. Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo all have gorilla permits that cost 800, 1500, and 400 USD, respectively. This gorilla permit grants access to three national parks in Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga, and Volcanoes National Parks, where visitors may view or hike mountain gorillas.

As part of a gorilla license

As mentioned earlier, the gorilla permit covers one hour of viewing habituated mountain gorillas and taking photographs of them, as well as a ranger guide, park entrance fees for Mgahinga, Bwindi, and Volcanoes National Parks, security while in the forest, and the services of a highly trained tracking team that typically goes out first to look for mountain gorillas.

Not covered by a gorilla license

An all-inclusive gorilla tour requires additional products that are not included in a gorilla permit. Put simply, a gorilla permit should not be seen as a goal in and of itself. Prior to and after your trip to see the gorillas, there are several expenses you must pay for.

Transportation to the gorillas is not covered by a gorilla permit.

Transportation to and from Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi, or Mgahinga is not included in the purchase of a gorilla permit. Once you have scheduled your gorilla permit for the day you would want to trek in one of the gorilla national parks, the next step is to figure out how you will travel to the park.

Transport from the airport or hotel to a lodge in the park, transfers to the gorilla starting site, and finally transportation back to the airport or hotel may be necessary, depending on the number of days. From Entebbe International Airport, visitors visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park may take a flight or drive there.

To reach the northern and southern regions of Bwindi, you may take advantage of charter or scheduled flights that land in Kihihi or Kisiro. In that order. Please be aware that a gorilla permit does not include transportation when you book your permit for Rwanda and Uganda.

In a gorilla permit, lodging is not included.

To ensure you don’t miss your gorilla hike in one of the parks, you must stay near Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga, or Volcanoes National Parks. In order to have a good journey, it is advisable to spend one or two nights.

Two nights before to and two nights after the gorilla excursion. You may drive to Bwindi and then fly out of Kigali International Airport the same day you do gorilla trekking, but only if you book a late flight. You may rely on Katland Safaris to help you arrange lodging inside Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga, or Volcanoes National Parks. We can reserve a lodge that suits your interests and budget from among many available options, including budget, mid-range, and upscale options.

Porters’ or sedan chairs’ prices

Porters and sedan chairs are not included in the purchase of a gorilla permit. You may get a gorilla permit, but depending on your physical condition, you could need assistance throughout the walk. Bringing a porter along on your hike will ensure that you have someone to lean on for support.

But you’ll have to shell out around $15–$20 for this. There are sedan chairs available to transport those with disabilities or the elderly to and from the gorilla sanctuary. This will guarantee that your goal of visiting Rwanda or Uganda to observe gorillas is fulfilled.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us via email if you would want more clarification on the scope and limitations of a gorilla permit. For the best gorilla safaris in Rwanda and surrounding areas, at costs that won’t break the bank, book with Katland Safaris. Safari reservations and travel adviser both include our evaluations.

Included in a gorilla tour Safari Holiday.

To avoid any unpleasant surprises, it’s a good idea to find out what is and isn’t included in a gorilla safari before reserving your spot with a tour operator. Gorilla trekking is only possible in three countries worldwide.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Pearl of Africa (Uganda), and the Country of a thousand Hills (Rwanda) are the three African nations where mountain gorillas may be seen. Only two East African countries—Uganda and Rwanda—are available for gorilla tour vacations with Katland Safaris.

Due to security concerns, we had to halt our activities in the stunning African nation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where we had previously offered gorilla trips. It is now very obvious that we can arrange for you to view mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, or Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park.

As part of a safari with gorillas or

A minimum of three days is advised for flights departing from Entebbe International Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga in Rwanda, and two days is recommended for flights departing from Kigali International Airport to the same destinations in Uganda. This will allow you to observe only mountain gorillas.

For those living in Rwanda (Kigali or Ruhenjeri) or Uganda (Kabale or Kisoro), a day trip to see the gorillas is also an option. What follows is an outline of what you may expect from an Katland Safaris gorilla trip if you choose one of the aforementioned shorter excursions.

Before you plan your gorilla trip, here is some advice:

When you book your gorilla trip via Katland Safaris, they will provide you pre-tour advise, among other things. In response to your inquiry, we will pair you with a safari consultant who has received extensive training and who will spend time getting to know you and your needs before you make any reservations.

Based on your interests, budget, and availability, he or she will do their best to describe what a gorilla tour entails, recommend a good time to go on a safari, fill you in on the specifics of gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, and provide you with a price estimate.

Until you make a final decision and go to Rwanda or Uganda for your gorilla trip, he or she will assist you. We put our hearts and souls into this, and we guarantee that you will get the finest guidance possible to ensure that your gorilla trip is flawless.

Volcanoes, Bwindi, and Mgahinga National Parks: Where to Stay

Among the many things that make up a gorilla trip is lodging. When you book a gorilla trip with us, we’ll make sure that the pricing covers lodging for one or two nights, depending on whether you’re visiting Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.

The following reasons make a one- or two-night reservation highly recommended. Since gorilla trekking begins before the crack of dawn, it is best to get lodgings in close proximity to the trailhead. Thus, to ensure that you can make it for your gorilla trek the following day, it is recommended to arrive in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Volcanoes National Park the day before.

This will allow you to spend the night closer to the park headquarters. Gorilla excursions with All Katland include at least one night of lodging near Bwindi, Mgahinga, or Volcanoes National Park. Booking your lodging in advance of your gorilla trip is crucial to ensure that you get at your destination on time.

Because you can’t predict when you’ll be back from your gorilla trek, we also recommend lodging after the excursion. Keep in mind that hiking with gorillas may take anything from half an hour to three quarters of a day. If you’re planning to fly out the following day, you should arrange a lodge near Bwindi or the volcanoes to spend the night. We will ensure that your lodging is included in your gorilla tour reservation as soon as we are notified.

A gorilla trip includes transportation to Bwindi or Volcanoes.

Gorilla tours with Katland Safaris include transportation to and from Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga, and Volcanoes National Parks. Transportation to and from the starting point of the gorilla trekking path in either Rwanda or Uganda is also part of our service. The goal here is to make sure that getting from A to B is as painless as possible.

We may provide transportation in either a 4×4 Customized Safari Van or a 4×4 RAV 4 based on your budget. Luxury clients might choose for a 4×4 Jeep or Land Cruiser. Airport transfers are part of the transportation package for your gorilla excursion.

We can set up either regular or charter flights to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for anybody interested in taking a plane. Transfers between the Bwindi Airstrip and the Lodge, as well as the Lodge and the Park Headquarters, may be arranged by us.

A gorilla excursion already includes the driver guide cost.

The price of our professionally qualified driver guide is often included in the price of every trip at Katland. For the remainder of the trip, this driving guide will accompany you at all times and will transfer you to park ranger guides for activities like as gorilla trekking and forest hikes.

All of our guides have had extensive training in defensive driving techniques, are members of the Uganda Safari Guides Association, and are experts in the history, flora, and wildlife of Uganda.

A permit is part of the price of a gorilla excursion.

A gorilla permit to Bwindi Impenetable National Park is included in the cost of any gorilla safari offered by Katland. Rwanda charges $1,500 per person per hike for a gorilla permit, whilst Uganda charges $800. The gorilla habituation experience, which allows visitors to spend four hours in the company of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, costs $1,500 USD.

Katland Safaris will verify availability and get your gorilla permit so you may hike gorillas in either Volcanoes National Park or Bwindi Forest National Park when you schedule a gorilla trip with us. With your gorilla permit, you may spend an hour in the company of habituated mountain gorillas and benefit from the expertise of a park ranger.

Get in touch with Katland Safaris if you want to know more about their gorilla tours. Safari Bookings and TripAdvisor both praise our affordable safaris across Rwanda and Uganda.

Uganda Gorilla Permits Bwindi and Mgahinga.

You can’t go mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda National Park without first getting a permission to do so. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda are the three African nations where one may undertake gorilla trekking. Thanks to conservation efforts by the three countries and nature enthusiasts worldwide, the recent census shows that the number of mountain gorillas has climbed to 1004 individuals.

Only in their native forests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda will these great apes be able to live. Seeing these enormous and endangered great apes on foot is only possible in three national parks. Some examples of such parks include Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park, Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Obtaining permission to see gorillas in Uganda

A single conservation organization, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, is responsible for issuing all gorilla permits in Uganda. The Uganda Wildlife Authority oversees the country’s national parks, such as Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable. The best way to ensure that you have a gorilla permit for your desired dates in Uganda is to get in touch with a tour operator, such as KatlandSafaris, who can verify availability for you.

We will hold them provisionally for a maximum of seven days once we confirm availability, until you pay. We accept credit card payments and wire transfers. Once the cash is received, we will proceed with purchasing your gorilla permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. You will then get scanned copies of your permit for your own records. It is important to mention that KatlandSafaris only arranges Uganda gorilla permits for our all-inclusive trip clients.

Locating the Next Available Gorilla Permit in Uganda

Due to our status as an AUTO member, KatlandSafaris has 24/7 internet access to the gorilla database maintained by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Simply contact us by phone or email with the dates you would like go gorilla trekking, and we will take care of the rest.

Uganda gorilla permits: when to book

During the peak months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February, permits to hike Uganda gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park sell out rapidly.

Therefore, to ensure room to visit gorillas in Uganda, it is advisable to secure your gorilla permits in advance. We recommend reserving your gorilla permit three to four months before your safari with KatlandSafaris. Be that as it may, if you give us a call at the last minute, we can also arrange for gorilla permits.

Ugandan gorilla licenses cost

Permits to see Uganda’s gorillas cost USD800 for an hour-long trip and USD1500 for a four-hour habituation session, however these prices are subject to change. In both 2024 and 2025, this is relevant.

With this gorilla permit pricing, Uganda is second only to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a cheap destination for gorilla trekking. Permits to see gorillas in the DRC cost $400 and those in Rwanda cost a whopping $1,500. Since gorilla trekking in the Congo has been halted due to instability, Uganda has become the world’s most cheap gorilla trekking destination.

When it comes to tour operators in Rwanda and Uganda, KatlandSafaris is right up there. Safari Booking and Trip Advisor both give us great reviews. Affordable safaris to Rwanda and Uganda, backed by trustworthy expert advice, are what we provide. Depending on your schedule, interests, and budget, we may arrange trips that range from three to a full day.