Uganda is one destination that allows primate adventure seekers to engage in both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda offers a great opportunity for primate lovers to explore in-depth the endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Gorilla and chimp treks entirely involve learning how gorillas and chimpanzees behave in their natural habitat. They are extraordinary primate adventures in the sense that you get to interact with these large apes in their natural habitat rather than at the zoo.
Chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in Uganda live in the natural forests. Visiting them in the wild involves walking through the tropical rainforest with the lead of an experienced guide. The length of the trek varies depending on the primate adventure. Gorilla trekking may take between 2 and 6 hours while chimpanzee tracking can go for 2-4 hours.
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda involves searching for the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat and this is done only in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are the two Uganda safari parks where mountain gorillas freely roam in the jungle. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga involves visiting already habituated gorilla group families. Each destination has its fully habituated gorilla groups which can be trekked by visitors.
Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Excursion
In Bwindi, visitors interested in exploring mountain gorillas have up to 4 regions or sectors to begin their treks. The 4 regions in Bwindi include the Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga gorilla sectors. Each of these four regions has gorilla groups to be visited but overall, Bwindi boasts of about 24 fully habituated families of mountain gorillas. The top gorilla groups to visit on a gorilla tour in Bwindi National Park include among others Mubare group, the Habinyanja gorilla family, Binyido, Katwe, Rushegura, Mishaya, Busingye, Christmas, and Bweza.
Additional gorilla groups to visit in Bwindi include Nshongi, Bikingi, Mucunguzi, Rwigi gorilla group, Kutu, Oruzogo, Kyaguriro, Bitukura, Nkuringo, and Bushaho groups.
Gorilla Trekking Adventures in Mgahinga
Gorillas in Mgahinga National Park can be explored starting from Ntebeko. Unlike Bwindi, gorilla trekking adventures in Mgahinga take primate enthusiasts on a search for the Nyakagezi gorilla group. This is the only group of mountain gorillas in Mgahinga that has undergone a complete habituation cycle.
Chimpanzee trekking excursion in Uganda
Chimpanzees in Uganda can be trekked in the wild in any of the following destinations, Kibale National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Budongo Forest. These destinations are home to huge concentrations of eastern chimpanzees and a significant population of them have been fully habituated. During the chimpanzee treks, visitors go to explore only already habituated chimpanzee communities.
Chimpanzee treks like normal gorilla trekking adventures are conducted with the presence of a professional and well-trained park ranger guide. Visitors of recommended age limit are the only ones allowed to go trek chimpanzees or gorillas.
Gorilla & Chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda.
The cost of gorilla permits in Uganda currently stands at USD 800 per person for foreign non-residents and is expected to go from 2024-2026. Foreign residents on the Uganda gorilla tour can also acquire permits at USD 700, the Rest of Africa visitors pay USD 500 per person, and the East African citizens purchase gorilla permits at UGX 300,000 per person.
Chimpanzee permits in Uganda vary depending on the destinations. If you are visiting Kibale National Park a home to more than 1500 chimpanzees, then expect to obtain a permit at USD 250 per person applying to all foreign non-residents. Foreign residents can obtain the permit at USD 200 and East African citizens at UGX 200,000 per person.
Best time to go gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Uganda does not limit visitors on when to travel to enjoy gorilla or chimpanzee trekking. But the ideal time to travel to Bwindi and Mgahinga to trek gorillas or Kibale and Kyambura to see chimpanzees is any time around the peak dry months. Depending on your travel calendar, the dry season in most of the gorilla and chimpanzee destinations falls in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February.
Minimum number of people to go for gorilla and chimpanzee trek
Both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking adventures have their acceptable minimum and maximum number of visitors that the park authorities accept to visit a gorilla family or chimpanzee community. Gorilla trekking standards accept 8 visitors per gorilla group and chimpanzee treks about 6 visitors.
Maximum hour with chimps or gorillas
As per the park authorities, strictly an hour is what is allowed for visitors to spend face-to-face with a family of gorillas or a chimpanzee community. During the one hour, visitors have the ultimate freedom to take as many pictures as they wish and closely observe how these apes behave in the wild.
The gear/equipment to pack for gorilla & chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Making adequate preparation and planning for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is 100% required. They guarantee successful treks with gorillas or chimpanzees. Part of the planning involves packing right for your primate expeditions. The essential gear or equipment to pack include fast-drying long-sleeved shirts, sunglasses, a safari hat, a sweater, long trousers, insect repellents, snacks, bottled drinking water, a first aid kit, a rain jacket, a daypack, waterproof hiking boots, and cameras free of the flashlight.
Where to stay
Accommodation options to stay are available across gorilla and chimpanzee safari destinations. They exist in varying classes budget, midrange, and luxury. Top gorilla safari lodges worth booking for an overnight stay include Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Broadbill Forest Camp, and Chameleon Hill Lodge.
Accommodation in Mgahinga includes Travelers’ Rest Hotel Kisoro, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Mucha Hotel Kisoro and others.
Available accommodation options to book for overnight stays in and around Kibale include Isunga Lodge, Chimpundu Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, Primate Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Turaco Treetops, Kyaninga Lodge, and Papaya Lake Lodge.
Visitors with plans to explore Kyambura Gorge’s chimpanzees can book Kyambura Gorge Lodge for overnight stays. If you are heading to Budongo Forest, then consider spending a night at Budongo Eco Lodge.