What To Expect On Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Uganda  

What to expect on gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda is to meet some of the largest African primates in there natural setting. Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda live with a range of other primates too. World over, there are fewer luxuriant untamed natural destinations left.

Expect to share the gorilla trekking and chimpanzee safari with possibly other tourists even though sometimes you may be the only participants for the day especially in the low season.

Presenting either the gorilla permit or chimpanzee trekking permit while on Uganda safari is compulsory for all participants for the day. These documents are for verification process together with other personal details when you report to the ranger station.

Expect to attend briefing before gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking on the slated date. During briefing, other you join other tourist where information about these primates is communicated in details including rules, how to behave during the adventure and others. No matter how many time you do gorilla or chimpanzee trekking briefing is a must attend each time.

While searching for the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees in Uganda, expect to go through a thick jungle with possibility of creepers draping the tree trunks. For gorilla trekking, the topography of the area where this adventure is done was affected by volcanic action that ended into the formation of other highlands. Contact Us

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Where to Do Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda| Destinations

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is reserved according to the four areas under which the park is divided that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Bwindi forest is an ancient rain forest in the southwestern part of Uganda. Bwindi forest as a biosphere reserve is home to a wide range of fauna and flora.

On gorilla trekking day, tourists are expected to report to the ranger station of the trail head allocated to you for document verification. Each trail head has different gorillas families which are allocated randomly to the tourist after briefing. At the moment Bwindi forest hosts the largest number of gorilla trekking families in Uganda with about 19 gorilla families open to the public.

Beyond gorilla trekking, Bwindi forest offers gorilla habituation experience too where maximum four tourists are allowed to accompany a team of researchers for about four hours. more than 9 other primate species have been recorded as residents of Bwindi forest. Over 350 bird species including Albertine rift endemics have been recorded as part of the inhabitants of Bwindi forest.

Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park is home to do far one gorilla trekking called Nyakagezi. Even though Mgahinga forest is the smallest Uganda National Park, it is home to the golden monkeys with a few left in the world and this forest is part of that lucky host to these primates.

A number of other primates are residents of Mgahinga forest which you may get the chance to find while in search for the mountain gorillas. More than 115 bird species have been confirmed as residents of Mgahinga forest.

Where to Do Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Kibale National Park

For chimpanzee safari bonanza in Uganda, Kibale National Park is the best destination with over 12 chimpanzee communities so far fully habituated. Kibale being a tropical rain forest has a dense canopy with a network of streams and rivers that crisscross its terrain.

During the chimpanzee safari in Kibale forest, you get to explore it using the trails constructed by regular visitors. You can choose to do chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation experience where you have four hours with the semi-habituated chimpanzee communities.

In addition to chimpanzee safaris, other inhabitants of Kibale forest include pottos monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, bush babies and others. More than 325 bird species have been confirmed as residents of Kibale forest.

Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

For chimpanzee trekking experience combo with game viewing safaris, Queen Elizabeth National Park is that ideal destination. You can choose to do the morning or afternoon chimpanzee trekking adventure where you get the opportunity to encounter these primates in there natural setting.

Donot forget to carry the necessary travel documents to avail to the ranger guides for verification before briefing and proceeding to do the chimpanzee trek.

Kaniyo Pabidi forest in Murchison Falls National Park

From the Kicumbanyobo gate of Murchison Falls National Park, it takes about 8 kilometers to get to Kaniyo Pabidi forest where several primates are residents. You need to secure a chimpanzee trekking permit to give you the opportunity to participate in this Uganda safari adventure.

The Kaniyo Pabidi forest is dominated by the few leftover fully grown Mahogany trees left in the country.

A number of birds are residents of Kaniyo Pabidi forest including Albertine rift endemics some of which are Chocolate backed kingfisher, Puvel’s illaposis, white thighed Hornbill and others.

Kalinzu Forest

On the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National park is Kalinzu forest where a community of chimpanzees can be trekked on request. These chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest are mainly used for research purposes but can be opened to the public on request.

The way to find these chimpanzees using the trails in the forest is exciting as you may get to spot a number of butterflies, several plants, birds and much more.

Budongo forest

Even though Budongo forest is under the management of National forest Authority, they work closely with Uganda Wildlife Authority to maintain the conservation of the chimpanzees and other inhabitants. You need to book the chimpanzee trekking permit for Budongo forest. Watch out for other forest inhabitants including primates, birds and others. Some wild animals stray from Murchison Falls to spend time in Budongo forest.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

The Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is home to a rescued, orphaned, abandoned, neglected chimpanzees that cannot return to there communities. The sanctuary is under the management of the Jane Goodall Institute. You may choose to view the chimpanzees in the morning or afternoon session. To get to the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary in Koome Island lake Victoria you need a boat ride or charter.

You may arrive during the feeding time which you can participate from the visitor platform. The Island has other activities including beach walks, bird watching, swimming, steep over and much more.

What is the cost of gorilla trekking permit in Uganda     

Currently, the cost of the gorilla trekking permit for Uganda is $800 for foreign nonresidents, $700 for international residents, $500 for other Africans and 300,000 shs for East Africans.

Inclusions in the cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda are, one hour with the mountain gorillas, park entrance, mountain gorilla conservation support, security, ranger guide fees and others

What is the cost of chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda vary with destination and even chimpanzee habituation experience permit cost is different.

Kibale National Park chimpanzee trekking permit cost is $250 for international nonresidents, $200 for international residents, 180000 shs for East Africans.

The chimpanzee trekking permit cost for Kibale National Park includes ranger guide fees, one hour with the chimpanzees, park entrance fees, conservation support and others.

Best Time To Do Gorilla Trekking And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Uganda

The best time to do chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking in Uganda is the dry season which is June to October and December to February. Note that gorillas trekking and chimpanzees are open for a visit all year.

The mountain gorillas or chimpanzees or other forest dwellers are full of life in the dry season and easier to find because more sunlight penetrates into the forest creating better visibility. The chimpanzees and mountain gorillas tend to spend most of the time closer to the ground as they search for a meal to take them through the night and day.

Other than the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, the forests have other inhabitants you have better chance to come across during the gorilla or chimpanzee trekking adventure.

During the wet season, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris still happen that is March to May and November. Note that the chimpanzees and mountain gorillas tend to spend much time in sheltered points especially on a seriously wet day. The way to find these primates may have some toughness but you still find these primates.

Since fewer tourist usually book gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris in the wet season which serves as the low tourism season in Uganda, has chances of finding permit availability at the last minute may be available.

How Sure Can I Be To Find The Mountain Gorillas And Chimpanzees On Uganda Safari

There are 99% chances of finding the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees during Uganda safari in there natural habitat. The mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are first habituated for a period until proved ready to be opened to the public. This process enables the chimpanzees and mountain gorillas to withstanding the presence of humans for atleast one hour.

Both chimpanzees and mountain gorillas stay in a particular location as there feeding spot until proved the food supply is insufficient for the entire community or family. This makes it possible for tourists to find the chimpanzees and mountain gorillas here.

Each day a team of ranger guides follows the chimpanzee community or mountain gorillas earlier than tourists to find there nesting spot and establish the possible heading to location. The mountain gorillas and chimpanzees may not move far from the location clue forwarded by the early trackers.

Each tourist is requested to assist with locating the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees using the clues they live behind including footprints, listen to their murmurs and much more. With this assistance, you may get to find the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.

How Long Is Gorilla Trekking Or Chimpanzee Trekking In Uganda

The time you may spend on the gorilla or chimpanzee trekking adventure in Uganda varies with several factors. The location of the food source for the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees contributes to when to find them.

Weather conditions prevailing in the day contributes to when you are to find the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees as the wet day may delay time of finding these primates.

The mood of the gorilla trekking family or chimpanzee community may push them closer to the trail or far from the trail you use to find them.

What To Pack For Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Uganda

A camera to take photos and keep memories of this once in a lifetime adventure with the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees

Safari foldable hat with a large brim to protect your head from buzzing insects in the jungle.

Safari convertible trousers and log sleeved shirt in wilderness friendly colors like tan and Khaki to use while in the jungle. Camouflage is not accepted in Uganda as this is related to military wear.

Warmers as it gets so cold in the morning and late afternoons so you need to keep warm.

Foldable waterproof bottle to carry with water in order to quench thirst

Waterproof backpack on wilderness friendly colors that you are not afraid to get dirty.

Safari waterproof boot to use when walking through the jungle which is quite slippery and soggy from the decomposing matter.

Garden gloves to hold a tighter grip on to the vines while walking along the trails

A pair of binocular to capture a better vision of the far ranging features in the jungle.

Rain coat in case it falls as these tropical rain forest may receive rains the entire day

Hard cash to use as a means of exchange when purchasing on ground items like souvenirs as credit cards are not easy to use in Africa because of the lengthy process of obtaining money from them.

First aid kit with medication for emergency treatment.

Insect repellant to apply and keep away insects that may hurt you while in the jungle.

Sunglasses to protect your eyes from insects that buzz in the jungle.

Fully charged batteries to exchange with in case one run low.

Energy treats to munch on as breakfast is taken too early to last the entire time you are in the jungle. An adopter and charger in case you need to recharge your gargets

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