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THE WORLD’S BEST SAFARI EXPERIENCE?
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THE GORILLA HABITUATION EXPERIENCE – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Gorilla trekking is easily one of the most life-changing and exclusive safari experiences Africa has to offer.
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The chance to spend an hour with these gentle giants is the chance to encounter one of Africa’s most remarkable and gentle creatures in their natural habitat.It is a privilege for the few that find themselves on a gorilla trek.
However, for many, one hour is just not enough. And this is where gorilla habitation comes in.
What Is It?
Gorillas are highly intelligent creatures – they can sign and use tools; they laugh and grieve just like we do; and they develop strong family bonds with the silverback (the aged male) protecting a group of up to 30 family members. In fact, we share 98% of our DNA with these gentle primates. This, along with their endangered status, means they are under constant observation from the scientific and conservation communities.
In order to accurately study and work towards the conservation of the gorillas, they need to get used to the presence of people. Gorilla habituation is the process of getting wild mountain gorillas used to the sight and presence of humans. Groups normally consist of trackers, conservationists, researchers and rangers and it roughly takes around 2 to 3 years to complete the habituation experience.
Today, gorilla habituation is also offered as a tourist activity by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, opening this incredible experience up to all wildlife and gorilla-lovers. It is a much more immersive, engaging and educational way of interacting with the gorillas in their natural habitat. It is the opportunity to actively partake in working towards a greater understanding and the greater protection of these animals.
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So How Does It Work?
Two gorilla families, Bukingyi and Bushaho, are currently being habituated. Every day, the habituation team spend a short period of time with the gorilla families at a specific distance. Every few months, the time is increased while the distance is decreased until the gorillas are comfortable in the company of humans.
The habituation process enables you to understand gorillas individually and get to know their behaviors. Unlike gorilla trekking, where you observe the gorillas in their natural habitat for an hour, the habituation experience gives you the opportunity to actively participate and learn about these astounding creatures for around four hours. This process enables you to capture picture-perfect moments as you follow their movements and observe their behaviour.
It’s a much more natural wildlife experience as the gorillas behave as they would without the presence of humans. As opposed to gorilla trekking, gorilla habitation is less rushed, more natural, and the chance to gain a deeper understanding of gorilla behaviour.
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What Do You Need to Know?
Permits
- Only 4 permits per day are issued to each gorilla family. This allows for a maximum 8 visitors per day.
- Permits, as of October 2019, cost $1 500.
- Permits need to be booked in advance.
- Permits cover your park entrance fee, your guides and trackers, 24-hour security, and a contribution towards gorilla conservation (research, community development, veterinary care and national park operations)
- Permits are currently restricted to people above the age of 15 years old.
Location & Weather
- Unlike gorilla trekking, which is available in both Rwanda and Uganda, gorilla habitation is currently only available in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, in the Rushaga region.
- The best time of year for the gorilla habituation experience is the dry season, mid-December through to March, and June through to October, when the forest is less muddy and slippery.
What to Pack
- Hiking shoes / walking boots (preferably worn-in)
- Lightweight socks
- Light, breathable, water-proof jackets, trousers and long-sleeve shirts
- Warm layers for cooler mornings and evenings.
- A hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- A camera (with good zoom, extra memory and batteries)
- Binoculars
- A small backpack
- A reusable water bottle
- Snacks
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Why Do These Animals Need Our Protection?
The gorilla population has endured many years of poaching, disease, habitat loss and climate change – as a result they are currently listed as critically endangered by IUCN’s Red List. If not for incredible individuals, like Dian Fossey who pioneered and set the path for the conservation of gorillas, we would not have the opportunity to learn about and engage with these incredible primates.
“Gorillas are amazing animals. I found out that gorillas and humans share 98 percent of the same DNA. (Isn’t that amazing? I’m pretty sure I have cousins who I share less DNA with.)”
-Ellen De Generous
Habitat Loss
Gorillas are restricted to the top of the mountains in central Africa. Because their habitat is limited to this area, habitat loss is a fundamental concern amongst conservationists. Subsistence farming, road building and commercial logging are all encroaching on the gorillas’ habitat. Luckily, gorillas are not reliant on certain nesting or breeding sites and their broad diet enables them to buffer some of the effects of climate change or changes in their habitat. However, the loss of habitat negatively impacts the number of gorillas the area can sustain.
Disease
Gorillas that come into contact with humans, can be vulnerable to human diseases. Although, studies have shown that regularly habituated mountain gorillas have survived better than gorillas who have no exposure to humans. Even a common cold can cause death, which means you need to be in perfect health in order to participate in the gorilla habituation experience.
Poaching
Poaching has been detrimental to the gorilla population. Gorillas are targeted by poachers due to the demand of their meat among the bushmeat trade. Ape meat is considered prestigious amongst the wealthy elite in certain areas of west and central Africa. They are also poached as their body parts are used in traditional medicine remedies.
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A Few More Gorilla Facts
- Gorillas are the largest living primates, with 10 fingers, 32 teeth and sharp colour vision.
- Gorillas cannot swim naturally.
- Gorillas live up to about 35 years in the wild.
- Mountain gorillas use more than 20 different sounds to communicate, from screams and roars, to grunts and growls.
- Gorillas don’t have tails.
- Adult mountain gorillas can feast on 22kg (50 pounds) of food per day – they spend half their day eating.
- Gorillas are mainly herbivores, snacking on fruits, leaves, roots, ants and larvae.
- Gorillas are nomads and can travel up to 1km a day searching for food.
- Gorillas spend 95% of their time on the ground and will occasionally climb trees for fun
- Mountain gorillas build new nests every day.
- Female gorillas can weigh up to 90kg (200 pounds), and silverbacks can weigh double, up to 200kg (450 pounds).
- Adult female gorillas give birth to one baby every three to five years
It is hard to fathom why anyone would want to hurt these highly intelligent species and with roughly around 1000 mountain gorillas left in the wild, we all need to extend a hand to help with the preservation and conservation of the last remaining families.
We shouldn’t underestimate the power we have as individuals in protecting the wonderful wildlife of our planet. Tourism is not only the chance to create lifelong memories and lifechanging experiences, it’s the chance to make a positive impact in the world.
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“When you realize the value of all life, you dwell less on what is past and concentrate more on the preservation of the future.”
― Dian Fossey
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READY FOR YOUR BESPOKE GORILLA SAFARI?
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Keen for some more reading?
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