One-of-a-Kind Luxury Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari
4 – hours with a Gorilla Family on this 3-Day Luxury Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari
A Luxury Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari with more time and fewer participants with the Gentle Giants in the Rusha area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
For most, being with a Gorilla Family on a Gorilla Trek where you have one hour with a Gorilla Family is the Experience of a lifetime.
This one-of-a-kind Gorilla Habituation Experience takes Gorilla Trekking to another level. Here you are an actual participant in the habituation process where the gorillas become accustomed to having humans around.
Your incredible up-close Gorilla Encounter is 4 hours longer than one hour. You are on an all-day Trek that ends in the late afternoon.
This is not offered in any other country. It is an Uganda Gorilla Exclusive with a maximum of 4 participants allowed per group compared to 8 participants for a regular Gorilla Trek.
Stay at the exclusive Luxury Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge or the upmarket, luxury Four Gorillas.
Lodge and you have Luxury in the African Wild in the Gorilla Highlands of Uganda.
Safari Highlights for the 3-Day Luxury Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari
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- Gorilla Habituation Experience: All-Day Gorilla Trek with a maximum of four participants and up to four hours with a gorilla family. Read more about the Gorilla Habituation Experience.
- Short Drive-Time: It is only a four-hour scenic drive from Kigali. Read more here.
- Full-Board Luxury Lodging: Choose between exclusive or Luxury lodging.
- Golden Monkey Trekking: Optional Golde Monkey Trekking on Day 3 before returning to Kigali, Rwanda, for your flight out. Read more about Golden Monkey Trekking/
- 4×4 Toyota Land-Cruiser\; Driven by an experienced driver-guide.
- Porter Services: You have a porter to assist you on the Trek. Furthermore, we give you8 facial masks for the actual encounter, a walking stick, and bottled Water. Read more here.
- 1,500 USD Gorilla Habituation Experience Permits\: Permits are included in the Safari. Read more here.
This Safari depends on available Gorilla Habituation Experience Permits, and this Safari should be booked well in advance due to permits. Furthermore, we suggest that you be flexible with dates.
Your 3-Day Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari in Detail:
Arrival Day in Kigali, Rwanda
Arrival Day: Your arrival time may mean you need a room for one night in Kigali. The city is the Singapore of Africa and, unlike most other capitals, is clean, safe, attractive, and welcoming.
We can arrange your Pickup directly at Kigali Airport and add a night’s Stay in Kigali at a Hotel there. The luxury Hotel choices include Serena Hotel, Radisson, Hotel, Marriott Hotel, des Mille Collines Hotel {Hotel Rwanda}, and others.
If your arrival is early in the day, we can meet you at the Kigali airport and drive directly to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
To enter Rwanda and Uganda, you will need an East African Visa or Ugandan Visa and proof of Yellow Fever immunization.
Neither country has Yellow Fever, but Uganda is part of the Yellow Fever Belt that spans the Globe. The East African Visa can be obtained on arrival at the Kigali Airport but must be specifically requested. The Visa allows you to exit Rwanda, enter Uganda, and reenter Rwanda for your flight out.
Day 1 – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest:
Your 3-Day Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari begins as we leave your hotel in Kigali at 6:30 am or the Kigali Airport for your moderately priced Safari. The drive time to Rushaga is about 4 hours, depending on the Border Crossing.
Visa for Uganda is $50, and the East African Visa is $100 and covers entry to Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya. Both visas must be obtained online. In addition, you will need a Yellow Fever certificate for entry into Uganda.
Usually, the border crossing is about 30 to 45 minutes, and you are in Uganda heading for the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Officials on both sides will try to ease the border crossing for Tourists.
Any inconvenience fades in the light of the shorter drive time you have before you. Please note that it takes nine to ten hours from Entebbe or Kampala to reach Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
The Route you are on from Kigali is the most scenic as it moves through the Gorilla Highlands of Rwanda and Uganda.
Lodging Choices for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge:
This exclusive Luxury Lodge overlooks Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Virunga Volcanoes in the distance. It ranks as one of the Best Lodges in Uganda and the southern area of Bwindi Forest. From here, it is a short walk to the Trailhead in Nkuringo.
The Lodge exudes class throughout, including in your private River Stone Cottage. 24/7 Butler and Maid Services are available to you.
The views from your bedroom balcony are uplifting, and the patio is the perfect setting for the early morning Ugandan Arabica Coffee grown in some of the nearby fields.
Authentic African Art is found throughout the Lodge, including g in your cottage, and the Meals are delightful. Many of our Clients have loved their stay at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
Four Gorillas Lodge
Stay at the Luxury Four Gorillas Lodge – the Affordable Luxury Lodge for your Gorilla Trek or Gorilla Habituation Experience in the Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The Lodge overlooks the primeval Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You can see primates, birds, and wildlife right from the balcony of your cottage as you have your morning cup of Ugandan coffee or a sundowner at sunset.
The newer Rushaga Luxury Four Gorillas Lodge is a welcomed upmarket addition providing trekkers with an away-from-it feel adjacent to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with scenic views of the lush rainforest from both the main-loge area where you will find the restaurant and bar to the cottages.
The Lodge blends modernity with traditional architecture and decor, providing a comfortable setting surrounded by subdued elegance with Bwindi Impenetrable Forest so near you.
A stay here is an immersion into Africa, from the Ugandan welcome and hospitality to the Lodge accentuating African decor and style. Even the meals come with an African twist, reflecting what comes from local gardens and the spices used. Read more here.
Afternoon Activity Choices for you:
- Batwa Cultural Encounter: See the Forest through the Eyes of its first people, the Batwa.
- Village Walk: Go on a guided walk and Experience Ugandan village life.
- Nature Walk: Take a nature or birding walk with a guide.
- Hands-on Cultural Experience: Learn a new skill such as African drumming, dance, basket weaving, carving, cooking, etc.
- Relax and read a Book: Read a book about Uganda.
Meal Plan: Luch and Dinner
Day 2 – Gorilla Habituation Experience – Rushaga:
Early Breakfast and take your packed lunch from the Lodge for Gorilla Trekking Gear. Having the right gear and wearing the right clothes and boots make a difference in the quality of a Trek that you will have.
What Should I Wear for the Gorilla Habituation Experience?
Here is practical advice about what to wear during the Uganda Gorilla Habituation Experience. Often Trekkers are not dressed right for the occasion, which can spoil your day, and your focus might not be on the Gorillas but on personal discomfort and misery. Wearing suitable clothing and footwear is about protection.
Gorilla Wear and Gear you will need:
- Daypack: Preferably a waterproof daypack, you can use it as a carry-on flying to Uganda. Pack all essentials inside the daypack.
- Hiking Boots: Make sure that they have good treads on them. You will need ankle support, something boots give you and give you reactions on muddy trails. Have a good pair of Merino wool socks.
- Long Trouser: They will protect you from nettles and thorns. Tuck the trousers into your socks for added protection from ants.
- Long-Sleeved Shirt: Neutral in color. Again, this is for your comfort and protection.
- Rain Jacket or Poncho: Pack into your daypack. You never know when it will train. You are in an Afro-montane Rainforest.
- Tough Gardening Gloves protect your hands from thorns, nettles, and sharp branches.
- Wide Brimmed Hat: It gives you protection from the Sun.
- Facial Mask: You must wear a facial mask in the presence of the gorillas and your and their protection.
- Camera Equipment – Binoculars: Ensure extra batteries and storage devices. Put them into Ziploc bags. Binoculars are not needed if you are not a birder.
- Packed Lunch and Bottled Water: You will need your lunch from the Lodge and two liters of Water.
- Insect Repellent – Sun Lotion – Sunglasses: We recommend the effective Australian RID Insect Repellent. Good Sun blocker cream and sunglasses.
- You will need a Porter and Walking Stick: The services of a porter free you on the often-difficult trail, and a local walking stick helps you and steadies you on the often-challenging path. We supply our clients with both.
Read more about Gorilla Gear and Wear here.
A moderate fitness level is required. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is made up of ridges and valleys. Read more about Gorilla trekking fitness here.
The gorilla habituation experience begins with an orientation where you are told how to conduct yourself on the Trek. This is an all-day trek that includes four hours with a gorilla family. The whole tour can last up to eight hours. Usually, the walk is over in the late afternoon.
In the presence of the Gentle Giants of the Forest: Few will experience what you are now experiencing, and most cannot get the permits needed for this one-of-a-kind Experience. An Experience that you can only have here in Uganda.
For many, it is an almost spiritual experience being in the living room of a gorilla family. It is an experience that will leave lasting memories and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You are a participant in the habituation process. There is a maximum of four participants, plus rangers and porters. The Gorilla Habituation Experience is perfect for photographers since you have maximum time to get some great photos.
You will learn a lot about the habits and ways of the Gorillas. We suggest that you know before you go. Understand what is involved, get the right gear for the day, and more.
Please return to the trailhead, and it is back to the Lodge.
Private Gorilla Habituation Experience Treks can be arranged but typically must be done well in Advance and at a higher cost. The Trekking Party would still include Rangers, Porters, and Security Detail, but no other tour participants.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 3- Return to Kigali:
Optional: $100 per person. Golden Monkey Trekking:
Mgahinga Gorilla Park is home to thousands of endangered Golden Monkeys, and the park provides the best setting for Golden Monkeys in the Virunga Volcanoes. Golden Monkeys are beautiful and different from other primates due to their striking features. An adult Golden Monkey weighs about 15 Kilos, meaning they are pretty agile and will be around you as you observe them on your Trek.
The Trek will be over by noon, and as we cross the border into Rwanda, we gain one hour since Rwanda is on Central African Time and is one hour ahead of Uganda.
The 3-Day Luxury Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari comes to an end. The activities on this day depending on your flight time out of Kigali International Airport, Rwanda, and we will fine-tune it to fit you. On the return to Kigali, you gain one hour as you cross the border from the East African Time Zone to the Central one.
Drop off at the airport 3 hours before your flight ends your 3-Day Gorilla Habituation Experience. We can arrange a Hotel for you in Kigali.
What is included in this 3-Day Luxury Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari?
- Experienced Ugandan Driver-Guide: A Safari becomes more enjoyable with a knowledgeable and professional Local Driver-Guide.
- Greet and Meet at Airport upon arrival: We provide meet and greet services, including a welcome gift and Safari Informational Packet.
- Full-Board Lodging: All meals are included except alcoholic drinks, sodas, and snacks that you might order apart from meals. Some luxury Lodges have non-premium alcoholic beverages and sodas.
- Private 4×4 Land Cruiser Safari Vehicle with Pop-Up Roof: The vehicle has a car fridge, WiFi, and bottled Water.
- Gorilla Trekking: Gorilla Habituation Experience Permits are included in your Safari. We also provide porter services, a walking stick for support, and bottled Water. Read our Practical Gorilla Trekking Advice:
- WiFi Internet Access: Most Lodges only provide a WiFi Internet Connection in the main Lodge. We offer you a MiFi Router that gives you and your party access to the internet in your cottage or room, depending on nearby transmission towers. Read Staying in Touch with Home.
- Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Mandarin, Arabic Speaking Driver-Guides: At an extra cost.
- Your Dietary Needs can be met: Notify us if you are a vegan, vegetarian, or need a gluten-free diet. Halala dietary requirements can be completed in most instances. Strictly kosher nutritional requirements cannot be met on Safari. a.
- ; Automatic AMREF-Flying Doctors Air-Medivac Insurance coverage: Our clients have covered a rare need for medical evacuation to a hospital that meets international standards.
Not included: Visas, Travel Insurance, Tips, drinks at lodges such as Alcoholic drinks and sodas, extra day option.
