Peak Season

This is also Known as the dry season of the year and is the main Gorilla trekking period. It’s normally between the months of December to February and June to September. There is generally less chance of rain during the Gorilla tracking experience. Forest trails are normally dry making it easy for the visitors to hike with ease. This period is common for both Rwanda and Uganda since we share the same weather conditions throughout the year. The season is normally booked to capacity making it hard for last minute bookings. You are encouraged to book your permits 3 and above months before travel date to avoid missing on this wonderful experience. Being a dry season does not however guarantee no rain at all since the Gorillas live in the forests where chances of rain are always high.

Low Season

This period is characterized by much rains at any time of the day and this is normally between the months of October to November and March to May. It is also known as the rainy season due to the uncertain rains that come anytime even on a seemingly bright day. Few visitors are seen booking to see Gorillas due to fear of the interruption of the rain. The good news about all the Gorilla destinations however is that even on a rainy day, it will shine soon to dry the ground for you to proceed with the trekking activity. Another great thing about the low season is that you will not meet a big number of guests in the park. Gorilla permits in this season may be a bit easier to get but you must book in time like it is for the high season.

It must be noted that Gorillas can be visited throughout the year irrespective of the season. The beauty the weather conditions in Uganda and Rwanda is that even after a heavy downpour, the sun soon shines to clear the ground for you to resume your tracking activity.

For More gorilla travel tips, customized gorilla tour packages and the general information on gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lets Go Tours Rwanda is at your service!

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How long is Habituation Experience?

Gorilla habituation experience takes 2-5 years training the Gorillas as the researchers monitor their behavior towards human presence. Tourists that want to engage in this experience are allowed to join the team of researchers in the training, naming and getting the Gorillas used to people. Visitors who are taken to the forest for this habituation experience are allowed to a maximum of 4 hours with the Gorillas which the standard time by conservationists to avoid frustrating the Gorillas. Those interested in this great activity must be sure they are ready to spend 4 hours with the Gorillas since it might be too much time to some people. Unlike the Gorilla trekking experience where one hour may seem too small with the Gorillas, habituation is a rather lengthy activity that require patience and this explains the 4 hour encounter with visitors.
The exercise is a full day experience that gives you ample time to closely observe the individual behavior of each member of the gorilla family as they interact with each other.

Cost of Gorilla habituation Experience

Gorilla habituation experience is one of the most captivating experiences taking the wildest nature of the Gorillas. Unlike the Gorilla trekking experience that is charged $700 per person, Habituation experience is charged $1500 per person in all gorilla destinations in Uganda. This is a standard charge for all guests whether foreigners or residents of the country. Visitors are required to acquire Gorilla tracking permits from the relevant authorities in the respective countries to be allowed to go for the habituation experience.

Where to go for Gorilla Habituation experience

Rushaga sector in the south of Bwindi Impenetrable forest is the only place where this amazing experience takes place. One Gorilla family has been put aside for the habituation experience and many people across the world have participated. The process is completely safe for the guests because it’s done with the trained people from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Gorilla permits for this activity must be booked in time to avoid missing on this breathtaking experience. Other countries like Rwanda and the DRC do not have the habituation experience at the moment. Just like gorilla trekking experience, only 8 people are allowed to visit the Gorilla family under habituation. The standard rule of 8 people per visit is meant to avoid stressing the Gorillas which may result into attacks from these wild animals.

Age for this activity

Gorillas are wild animals even when they have been habituated and there is a limit to the age that is allowed to be in their presence. Children below 14 years of age are not allowed to go for the habituation experience. Exceptions to this require approvals from the authorities and these include children whose birth date to their 15th year is close to or on the tracking date. Children who prove their maturity with the presence of their guardians. The guardian/parent will then sign a consent agreement and then the child can go for the habituation experience in company of the guardian.

N.B: The major difference between Gorilla habituation experience and Tracking is that Habituation is a slow and gentle process of introducing Gorillas to the presence of humans while Gorilla Tracking involves searching for gorillas that are used to the presence of humans to learn about them.

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Kabirizi Gorilla group

This Gorilla group is composed of 34 members under the leadership of a dominant silver back Kabirizi. The group was named after the ICCN director who passed on in the 1990’s in a disastrous accident. Kabirizi was a wild gorilla who took over from Ndungutse after he died in 1997 in the wars between Rwanda and Congo. The current leadership of the group is also being threatened by a young Silverback called Masibo.

Bageni Gorilla Family

Bageni Gorilla group derive their name from the dominant silverback and their leader Bageni who split from Kabirizi group. The family is made of 26 members and this makes it the largest group in Virunga National Park. Being a big group, Bageni faces threats from the grown males and there’s a prediction that the group may split in the near future. This gorilla family is located in Bukima and Gatovu sectors of the park.

Munyaga Family

Muyanga Gorilla group is made up of 7 members under the leadership of Gasore the dominat male. This is one of the latest Gorilla families to be discovered in 2008 consisting of Bilali as the dominant female. Travelers find this group very interesting especially to go and see twins and the bald silverback in the group. Muyanga is located in the Bukima sector of the park.

Rugendo gorilla Family

Rugendo is one of the oldest Gorilla groups to be habituated in 1989. It was named after the great leader Rugendo who died in 2001 due to the instability in the DRC. The Family is now led by Bukima and is made of 9 members. The number of the members was bigger until Rugendo fought his son Humba (leader of Humba group now) and left with 10 gorillas from his father’s group. Rugendo was left with few members but he’s known for producing mighty silverbacks now leading their own groups.

Humba Family

This group gets its name from the dominant male Humba the ambitious silverback who split with his father Rugendo in 1998 to form his own group of 10 members. The group was bigger until 2014 when Nyakamwe (Humba’s brother) split and left with 6 members to start his own life also. The group is found in Bukima near Goma area and is one of the travelers’ favorite families.

Mapuwa Gorilla Family

Mapuwa group go its name from a dominat silverback mapuwa who separated with his father Rugendo in 1998. It is located at Jomba near Bunagana at Uganda’s border with Congo. The group is currently under the leadership of Mvuyekure who overthrew Mapuwa and the group now has 22 members. The big number of the gorillas in this group is sue to frequent births that have seen the numbers grow very fast. Mapuwa and his brother Humba left their father Rugendo in 1998 and formed their own groups.

Nyakamwe Gorilla Family

Nyakamwe group got its name from the dominant male and their current leader Nyakamwe. It was formed following fights between Nyaakamwe and Humnba the leader of Humba group in 2014. This group consists of 11 members and their habituation happened in the same period with Bageni Gorilla family. Nyakamwe resides in the Bukima area of Virunga National Park.

Lulengo Gorilla Family

This group has great history especially relating to the memory of the Park Director who passed on due to a landmine that struck him. Lulengo the dominant silverback is the leader of the group after taking over from his father Rugabo who was killed by poachers. The group was formerly known as Musekura but was later named after Lulengo the dominant silverback. The group has 9 members and can be seen at Jomba side of the Virunga Park at border with Uganda.
Lets Go Tours Rwanda offers customized Congo gorilla tours to trek one of the 8 habituated families and explore the beauty of Virunga National Park at affordable rates.

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