The plan to do a gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey trekking safaris in Uganda is a super primate tour in Africa. These three primates are among the notable wild animals in Africa. BOOk NOW
Booking a permit to have a chance in the presence of the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees or golden monkeys is compulsory for every tourist. There is a limitation to the number of those accepted to do gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking or golden monkey trekking per visit as means to minimize pressure on vegetation on which animals feed.
Reserve accommodation to use on during the gorilla or chimpanzee or golden monkey trekking in advance since most of these activities start early morning so you need to be at the briefing point earlier.
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Where to do Gorilla, Chimpanzees and Golden monkey Trekking Safari in Uganda
The Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Golden monkey trekking experience in Uganda happens in Kibale National Park and Mgahinga National Park.
Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is situated in western part of Uganda in the District of Kamwenge and Fort Portal and Kibale Districts. Chimpanzees are the highlight inhabitants of Kibale forest a tropical rainforest. More 12 primate species have been recorded as residents of Kibale National Park including olive baboons, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus, L’hoest, Potto, blue monkeys and others.
Two chimpanzee trekking sessions happen each day in Kibale National Park that is early morning and afternoon. Kibale National Park also hosts more than 325 bird species including Albertine endemics.
Since Kibale National Park shares border with Queen Elizabeth National Park which is corridor of about 180 kilometers, some game may be seen in this forest including, elephant, duikers, warthogs giant forest hogs and others.
Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park is located in the far southwestern corner of Uganda a land affected by volcanic action. This park lies on the northers slopes of the Mgahinga mountain which is among the six Virunga Volcanoes. Mgahinga is the smallest in size amongst the Uganda National Park is a biosphere reserve.
At the moment one gorilla trekking family called Nyakagezi is the only one living in Mgahinga National Park but the process of gorilla habituation is still going on. Gorilla Habituation is a process by which a wild gorilla family is familiarized with the presence of humans without altering there nature.
Golden monkeys are recognized resident of Mgahinga National Park too and in Uganda this is the only National Park where they live. The golden monkeys are a special primate species with golden brown hairs at the lower bottom and a larger body physic compared to other monkey species. Other primates are also common residents of Mgahinga forest including grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, black and white colobus and others.
More than 155 bird species have been recorded as residents of Mgahinga forest including Albertine rift endemics. The list of birds of Mgahinga forest is still expanding as more discoveries are being made.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi impenetrable National Park is another possible gorilla trekking destination in Uganda. The Gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are booked according to areas under which park is divided that is Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo. In general, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts over 20 gorilla trekking families living in these areas.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also offers gorilla habituation experience where tourists are allowed four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family. Bwindi forest is a Uganda birding haven with more than 350 bird species recorded including Albertine rift endemics.
Itinerary of Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari in Uganda
Day 1 Drive To Mgahinga National Park
After breakfast, your driver guide will pick you from your hotel and drive to Mgahinga National Park. The drive to Mgahinga National Park takes about 8 to 9 hours covering a distance of about 540 kilometers.
On the way, you can make optional stops at interesting spots like equator, Mpambire drum village and others. Drive through the jagged hills of Kigezi sub region and arrive late afternoon.
Accommodations of Mgahinga National Park : Gahinga Lodge and other options in Kisoro town.
Meals : Full Board
Day Two Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park
Start the day with breakfast before heading to the ranger station in Ntebeko for briefing. Donot forget to carry your gorilla trekking gears and hire a porter (Optional) before starting the search for the mountain gorillas.
After briefing, follow the ranger guides allocated to you into Mgahinga National Park. Use the trails constructed by regular visitors to Mgahinga forest and avoid creating more that can end in trampling on the vegetation which is food for the mountain gorillas.
The time of finding the mountain gorillas is hard to determine but open your mind to seeing other forest occupants. Mgahinga National Park hosts a number of other primates, birds, unique natural tree species and so much more. The different highlands around the park stand beautifully including three of the Virunga Volcanoes that is Mountain Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo.
Finally as you draw closer to the mountain gorillas, you will hear them murmur at each other before coming face to face with them. Observe the guidelines of gorilla trekking as explained during briefing so that you can be in harmony with these gentle yet very sensitive mountain gorillas. Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas so use it profitably.
Return to your hotel later.
Day 3 Golden monkey Trekking
Wake up for breakfast and head to the ranger station for briefing as you prepare for golden monkey trekking. Carry your golden monkey trekking gears and move into Mgahinga forest to search for these primates.
The golden monkeys keep you on your toes even though they are habituated to be in the presence of humans, Enjoy the drama as the golden monkeys love putting on an unorganized performance but very interesting to watch. Look out for other forest dwellers too including the monkeys, birds, different tree species and others.
Return to your lodge
Day 4 Drive To Kibale National Park
The Drive time from Mgahinga National Park to Kibale National Park is about 5 to 6 hours covering a distance of about 349 km. Enjoy the rolling hills of Kigezi along the way before arriving at Kibale National Park.
Kibale National Park is one of the few leftover tropical rain forest in Uganda and home to the largest community of chimpanzees. About 13 primate species have been recorded as residents of Kibale National Park including Chimpanzees, bush babies, potos, L’hoest, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus, olive baboons and others. the huge bird list of Kibale forest and surrounding areas puts the forest on the list of the must see Uganda Birding destinations.
Accommodation of Kibale National Park : Kibale Safari Lodge, Primates Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Chimpanzees Guest House,
Meal Plan: full Board
Day 5 Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park
If you are booked for the morning chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale National Park, after early morning breakfast, head to the ranger station at Kanyanchu for briefing. You may hire a porter to help you carry your belongings but this is optional.
Along the way, you may spot the other primates that love pipping at you from the trees, some birds, identify a wide range of birds and others. Be careful not to do anything that may be offensive to the chimpanzees even before finding them because they operate a spy system.
Finally when you find the chimpanzees, enjoy there company and watch the troop drama that they show off. Take as many photos as you can during that hour in the presence of the chimpanzees. In case you notice some odd behavior amongst the chimpanzees, donot rush to run away because this may escalate the situation but wait for the ranger guide to establish the root cause of the matter.
Only one hour is allowed with the chimpanzees during chimpanzee trekking but there are no regrets. Being with the chimpanzees is like having a moment with the lost cousins as the characters of primates has a slight resemblance to the humans.
Return to your lodge to rejuvenate and wind from meeting the chimpanzees.
Day 6 Return Home
After this Uganda primate tour, drive back home to catch up with the flight back home. The distance from Kibale National Park to Kampala is about 336 kilometers Time taken from Kibale National Park to Kampala is about 5 to 6 hours drive.
Note
You can choose to do a fly-in gorilla, chimpanzee and Golden monkey trekking adventure. There are two options that is using the schedules flights or charter flight services.
How Safe Are the Gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey Trekking Destinations in Uganda
For the gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey trekking destinations in Uganda that is Kibale National Park and Mgahinga National Park, they are secure destinations to visit. The security of these Uganda National Parks is managed by the well trained rangers from Uganda wildlife Authority( UWA) a body responsible for regulating the Wildlife destinations in Uganda.
On ground there are other Uganda security agencies who co-operate with the ranger guides to provide security to these safari destinations in and around.
As an individual, you are expected to abide by the rules of these destinations in order not to cause any problems for yourself and the park management. Try not to step out of your lodge especially in the night without an escorting security personnel in both Mgahinga and Kibale National Parks. There are other wild animals that normally roam the premises of most facilities in and around the parks.
Never enter the forest whether Mgahinga or Kibale forest without an escorting ranger guide because you may encounter some wild animals including unhabituated primate troops. These wild animals may pounce on you.
Stay closer to the people in your gorilla trekking group so that you are not lost in the vast jungle yet communication when in the forest is still poor.
Wear the safari gears recommended for each of these primate safari adventures so that you protect yourself from the rough surfaces in the jungle.
When is the best Time To Do Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Golden monkey Trekking Safari in Uganda
Doing the gorilla, chimpanzee and Golden monkey trekking adventure in Uganda is best in the dry season. All these Uganda primate safaris involve moving in the forest which is dense almost the entire year as there is less sunlight let in through the canopy.
The dry season which is normally June to October is normally characterized by less precipitation in both Mgahinga and Kibale forests. Even though Mgahinga forest is known for receiving untimely rains no matter the season, the dry season is quite different. This allow the trekkers to navigate the forests faster and the gorillas, chimpanzee and golden monkeys are easier to spot.
Note that the dry season is normally peak tourism season in Uganda so the demand for the gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey permits is at its peak too. It is best to book your gorilla, chimpanzee or golden monkey trekking permit in advance before they sell out. There is a restriction to the number of permits open to the public each day for conservation reasons.
The cost of logistics that support this Uganda safari is high too that is accommodation, transport costs and others. This is because these resources are limited in supply yet even other Uganda safaris also require the same service. In order not to run out of options, book the gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey trekking safari to Uganda in advance
The wet season is still great timing to do the gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey trekking safari in Uganda especially for those with different intentions. The wet season which is normally March, April, May and November is normally the low tourism season of Uganda where less people are expected to visit Uganda.
For those with a limited budget, you may use this chance to do gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey trekking at a more affordable cost. Most of the service providers may discount there costs to break even. Those seeking to have less company during thus primates safari in Uganda have more chances to enjoy this in the low season without spending more on closing off the gorilla family. BOOK NOW