Where To Go For Gorilla Safaris And Chimpanzee Safaris In Uganda

The destinations where to go for gorilla safaris and chimpanzee safaris in Uganda are natural forested areas and some of the few still existing in the world.

For gorilla safaris, Bwindi impenetrable National park and Mgahinga National Park are the only homes of mountain gorillas. In these National Parks The mountain gorillas live with other primates including golden monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys and more. You can do gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience safaris in Uganda. Request A Quotation

Uganda has over 5000 chimpanzees living in various destinations some include Kibale National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi in Murchison falls National Park, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national Park and more. In Uganda, you can do chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation experience safari but purchase permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority or any other body responsible for managing the sanctuary.

Do not forget to pack the right gorilla safari and chimpanzee safari gears on your Uganda safari. Some Uganda safari gears include long sleeved shirt, safari boots, garden gloves, camera, safari hat and more.  Every tourist must attend briefing before gorilla and chimpanzee safaris in Uganda to get more information about the behavior expected to experience in the forest.

About Gorilla safari destinations in Uganda

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 Bwindi Impenetrable National park

Bwindi impenetrable National Park is the largest home to the mountain gorillas in Uganda. This forest is vast at a size of about 327 square kilometers but separated by hard to traverse features  resulting from serious volcanic actions in this area.

Bwindi forest hosts almost half the number of the total mountain gorillas in the world but for better administrative matters, the park was divided into four areas that is Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Rujija.

When booking the gorilla permits for Bwindi, they are reserved according to the four areas. These areas also influence which accommodation to book for the Bwindi gorilla safari adventure.

Bwindi forest as a biosphere reserve host more than 10 primate species, more than 88 months, over 310 butterflies, over 200 tree species and more. This long list of inhabitants is awed to the long time the forest is believed to be in existence with more than 25000 years.

Mgahinga National Park

Even though Mgahinga National park is the smallest Uganda National Park, it is home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Nyakagezi gorilla family is currently one of the mountain gorillas families of Mgahinga forest. Many say that gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park is one of the still authentic experiences since the forest is less visited.

Golden monkeys are another endangered primate specie that are residents of Mgahinga forest and by taking golden monkey trekking or golden monkey habituation experience you get the chance to enjoy more around this forest.

The presence of mountain Gahinga, Muhavura and Sabyinyo is an opportunity to enjoy a guided excursion hike to these amazing mountain towers.

About Chimpanzee Safari Destinations In Uganda

Uganda has over 5000 chimpanzees according to the last census but these are situated in various areas.

Kibale national Park

Kibale National park is the largest home of chimpanzees in Uganda with over 1500 chimpanzees as per the last census. Chimpanzees trekking and chimpanzee habituation experience are available in Kibale National park.

For chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest, two sessions that is morning and afternoon are open to the public.

For chimpanzee habituation experience maximum 4 tourists accompany a team of researchers to follow up on the traits of the chimpanzees and take notes where necessary.  

Kibale forest is home to other 12 primates include pottos, blue monkeys, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus, bush babies and more.

Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National park

On the floor of the rift valley in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda is the Kyambura gorge that was formed after the erosion of River Kyambura as it flowed towards Kazinga channel. A community of is resident of this forest on the floor of the canyon in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Sometimes the chimpanzees spend time on the floor or in the tree canopy.

Kaniyo Pabidi forest in Murchison Falls National Park

The forested part of Murchison Falls National Park is called Kaniyo Pabidi forest where chimpanzees live and are open to public visits. The chimpanzees live with other primates including black and white colobus, olive baboons, vervet monkeys and more. Kaniyo Pabidi forest is one of the few forests in Uganda with fully grown Mahogany trees.

From chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi forest, you can take a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park and launch trip to famous Murchison Falls where River Nile squeezes through a 6 meters wide gorge.

Budongo forest for chimpanzee safaris

A community of chimpanzees is ready for chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest and another open for chimpanzee habituation experience. While searching for the chimpanzees, you may get to find other resident primates, birds, butterflies and more.

The chimpanzees in Budongo forest are mainly used for research but tourists have chance to trek them too.  

Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary

A community of chimpanzees live on Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary where they find another home. The chimpanzees on Ngamba Island are rescued from snares, captivity, abandoned, cannot find their communities and more.

Each day two chimpanzee viewing sessions are open that is morning and afternoon. To get to Ngamba Island, there is a boat that leaves the pier daily.

Uganda Wildlife Education Center

The Uganda wildlife Education Center the former Entebbe zoo is home to chimpanzees that are under the park management. These chimpanzees live in exhibits with an environment similar to where they live. Different programs can be arranged to enable tourists have extra time with these chimpanzees including keeper for the day, chimpanzee up close and more.

What are the requirements for booking the gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Uganda

Book necessary permits

For both gorilla safaris and chimpanzee safaris in Uganda, you need to secure the permits. The gorilla or chimpanzee permit card is issued by Uganda Wildlife authority or the management body of the sanctuary. To minimize the effects of having a large population of visitors that can overwhelm the chimpanzees or gorillas, the number of permits is minimized.

During the peak season, the chimpanzee and gorilla permits sell out earlier because of the overwhelming demand for them. On gorilla safari and chimpanzee safari day, every tourist is expected to present these documents to the officials at the station for verification.

Eligibility of gorilla and chimpanzee safaris in Uganda

The age limit for gorilla safari and chimpanzees safaris in Uganda is 12 years and over. This age was set to enable more children to participate in gorilla and chimpanzees safaris to enable them to appreciate the relevancy of protecting these vulnerable primates. Even the search for the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees takes some times which requires patience and children at this age may be able to withstand this.

Book Accommodation To Use During Gorilla Safari Or Chimpanzee Safari In Uganda

Reserve accommodation to use during the gorilla safari and chimpanzee safari. Where you spend your nights during holiday contributes a great deal to the final feeling you get when on Uganda holiday. Gorilla safari and chimpanzee safaris in Uganda start early morning with clearing personal documents and permits.

It is better to spend the night before the gorilla or chimpanzee safari within or closer to where you are to do this Uganda safari because of early morning start.

Accommodations to book during the gorilla and chimpanzee safaris in Uganda are categorized into upscale, mid-range and basic.

Reserve transport to use during gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari

The transport means to use to get to the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking destinations are mainly road transport. It is best to use a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition with a professional driver guide with knowledge of the different routes that get you to the destinations.

Keep fit for gorilla safaris and chimpanzee safaris in Uganda

To explore the forests in search for the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees you need to bear some level of fitness. The time you spend in the forest searching for the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees requires having some level of fitness.

The area where mountain gorilla live is mountainous necessitating bearing some level of fitness to get to these primates.

Pack the right gorilla safari and chimpanzee safari gears

As you pack to travel for gorilla or chimpanzee safaris in Uganda use the checklist when packing.  Some of the items to include in your packing list include safari hat, safari boots, long sleeved shirt and more. Try to avoid packing bright colors that can easily get stained when on the walk to find the mountain gorilla and chimpanzees.

Acquire a Uganda visa before the gorilla or chimpanzee safari

In case you must have a visa before travelling to Uganda, it is better to acquire one in advance especially if your safari is starting on arrival. On arrival, sometimes the que at immigration is too long yet your safari has to start.

Alternatively, you may arrive a day before starting your gorilla safari or chimpanzee safari so that you can relax and get to know about Uganda beyond the safari destinations.

When Is The Best Time To Do Uganda Gorilla Safari And Chimpanzee Safaris.

The best time to do gorilla safaris and Chimpanzee safaris in Uganda is the dry season even though these activities are open all year. The dry season is normally June, July, August, September, December and January.

Since both chimpanzees and gorilla safaris happen in the wilderness where tourists are expected to explore on foot, the dry season offers better opportunities to move faster. The humidity in the forest is lighter since more sunlight sips through to the ground reducing on the amount of precipitation.

The mountain gorillas or chimpanzees spend most of the time closer to the ground during the dry season since there is normally lees food supplies up in the canopies. The environment in the forests is better when taking photos of the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees or other features in the wilderness.

More tourists normally visit Uganda for gorilla safaris and chimpanzee safaris in the dry season and this is the peak tourism season in the country too.

Do not ignore the wet season that is March to May and late October to November when planning the gorilla or chimpanzees safari in Uganda. The mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are always present in the forest and can be seen no matter the season although most of the time they keep on elevated spots.

If you wish to have less company from other tourists during gorilla or chimpanzee safari, the wet season may provide that perfect time. There are more chances of encountering infants during the gorilla and chimpanzee safaris in Uganda.

What Are the Chances of Finding The mountain Gorillas or chimpanzees in Uganda

After paying for gorilla and chimpanzee permits many want to have assurance of seeing these primates. Seeing the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees is guaranteed because they are habituated to be in the presence of humans atleast for an hour.

Both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees live in troops or families or communities which normally occupy the forest for sometimes, this enables the rangers with tourists to find them in that location.

The mountain gorillas or chimpanzees have larger bodies that cannot move fast to take them far from reach even though they are to relocate.

Each day a team of trackers follows up on the chimpanzee or mountain gorillas nesting spot and estimate the day hangout spot which the ranger with tourists use to try and find them. It is not all the time that the troops will be in that location but these clues act as leads.

By following the fresh clues, the gorillas or chimpanzees leave behind like leftover foliage, foot prints, hairs, noises used for communicating with one another and more, tourists get to find these primates.

Time of fining the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees in Uganda may be hard to determine because of the factors prevailing in the forest, when you get to find them you may forget the hardships you may have to endured.