Uganda Gorilla Habituation from Kigali
Book this Uganda Gorilla Habituation from Kigali experience with Gorilla Hurly Burly and combine a Rwanda gorilla trek with Uganda’s exclusive gorilla habituation activity. Uganda is the only country in the world where tourists can take part in gorilla habituation, and Kigali offers the shortest route to reach it.
Gorilla habituation means training gorillas to get used to human presence. Only four visitors join one gorilla family per day, spending four hours with them instead of the standard one hour on a regular trek. Gorilla Hurly Burly arranges permits, transport, and accommodation for the full trip from Kigali.
Where Mountain Gorillas Live
Mountain gorillas live in only three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These countries share the Virunga Mountains along their borders, where the altitude and climate give gorillas a safe natural habitat.
According to the 2018 gorilla population census by the Dian Fossey team and partners, about 1,063 mountain gorillas remain in the world. Around 50 percent of them live in Bwindi National Park in Uganda, home to roughly 500 gorillas. Bwindi is the only park where tourists can take part in gorilla habituation.
Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi National Park
Bwindi National Park sits in southwestern Uganda and holds 20 habituated gorilla families available for daily visits. The park has four sectors: Rushaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Buhoma. Only Nkuringo and Rushaga have gorilla families set aside specifically for habituation.
During habituation, four visitors join trackers and researchers to spend four hours with one gorilla family. You watch the gorillas play, search for food, feed, and groom their young. You also see the silverback carry out its role as group leader, including mating and directing the family’s movements.
Uganda Gorilla Habituation from Kigali
Kigali is the capital of Rwanda, and the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi National Park is the closest habituation site to reach from there. Many travelers coming from Kigali choose Nkuringo or Rushaga for this reason, since the distance is shorter than traveling from Entebbe International Airport in Uganda.
You can combine gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda with the habituation experience in Uganda, completing both in a short four-day safari. Since only four permits are available per gorilla family each day, book six months to one year ahead to secure your date.
Travel and Accommodation for the Trip
You need to spend a night in Nkuringo or Rushaga, since habituation starts at 7:00 AM, earlier than standard gorilla trekking, which starts at 8:00 AM. Both sectors offer accommodation ranging from budget guest houses to mid-range and luxury lodges, plus homestay options.
You can only reach Nkuringo and Rushaga from Kigali by road, through the Cyanika or Katuna border into southwestern Uganda. Flying directly is not an option for this route, but the roads are well paved, making for a comfortable and reasonably fast drive.
Travelers aged 15 and above can take part in gorilla habituation from Kigali, depending on your budget and preferred accommodation level.
Book this Uganda Gorilla Habituation from Kigali experience with Gorilla Hurly Burly today. Contact our team to check permit availability and plan your full itinerary.
