Combining gorilla trekking in Rwanda with chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Combing gorilla trekking in Rwanda with chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda safari is one of the best ways in which you can trek primates in East Africa. Rwanda has over 400 gorillas whereas Uganda is the best chimp trek destination in East Africa so a combination of a safari in the two countries is one you shouldn’t miss out on. Gorillas and chimpanzees are similar primates with almost 98% of their DNA to humans, and one difference is that the gorillas are larger than chimpanzees.

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We are here to help you organize a combined gorilla and chimpanzee trek safari in both Rwanda and Uganda.

Transport can easily be arranged between the two countries, and with Rwanda having waived visas for African nationals, it becomes easier to travel. You can either use road driving from Rwanda through the land border or then connect to Uganda for chimpanzee trekking. Or you can fly from Kigali International Airport to where you are to be picked up by representatives of the company and driven to Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda 

Volcanoes National Park is home to the Mountain gorillas and the only safari destination where gorilla trekking is done. There are about 15 gorilla families in Rwanda, and 96 gorilla permits are printed per day. Rwanda is a luxury destination and the cost of the safari might be a bit higher as compared to the other gorilla safari destinations in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda is a very safe country, and the same applies to gorilla trekking in the country. There are so many security measures that have been put in place to ensure that the trekkers are safe, and these include the rules and regulations, security checkpoints at the gate, and security cameras. 

The different gorilla families that are found in Volcanoes National Park include the Sabinyo gorilla family, Susa group, Karisimbi gorilla group, Kwitonda gorilla family, Hirwa gorilla family, Uganda family, Amahoro family group, Ubumbwe family, Agashya gorilla group and the Umubano gorilla family. Volcanoes National Park is home to five volcanic mountains which include Mount Sabinyo, Muhabura, Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Gahinga.

Gorilla trekking can be done throughout the year, but the best months are June to September and December to January because of the good weather during this period. The routes used for trekking are drier, it is easy to spot the gorillas and although there are a few bouts of rain, they are not as heavy and disturbing as those received during the wet season of October to November and May to March.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is carried out in different national parks including Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Kibale National Park. The trekking age limit in these national parks and forests where chimpanzee trekking is done is 15 years, and this was changed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority from 15 so that more people get to engage in the trekking exercise. 

Kibale National Park: Located in southwestern Uganda, Kibale National Park is the best chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda and East Africa with over 1500 chimpanzees. You have a 100% chance of spotting gorillas, and Kibale also offers a chimpanzee habituation process where you spend more time with the shy but playful primates. 

Kyambura Gorge: Located in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge also referred to as the Valley of Apes is also home to chimpanzees although they are few, you will be able to spot them, and after you can enjoy a short game drive through the park where you will be able to spot the tree climbing lions among others.

Kalinzu forest: Located near Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu forest is the 2nd best chimpanzee trekking safari destination in Uganda, with a healthy number of chimpanzees amounting to over 290. You will need a trekking permit to access the chimps in Kalinzu, and the best time is during the dry season, June to September.

Budongo forest: This is also a good place to spot the chimpanzees. Budongo Forest is located within Murchison Falls National Park. Although it is not a guarantee that you will be able to spot the chimpanzees, you have other primates like red-tailed monkeys, baboons, vervet monkeys, several bird species, and other wildlife species.

Kaniyo Pabidi: Kaniyo Pabidi is also located in Murchison Falls National Park and is a good chimpanzee trekking destination. Chimpanzees in Kaniyo Pabidi can be trekked throughout the year but the best time is during the dry season and this has to be done after purchasing the chimpanzee trek permit.

Gorilla permits are in Rwanda, and chimpanzee trekking permits are in Uganda. 

Mountain gorilla trek permits in Rwanda are printed and distributed by the Rwanda Development Board, and permits are the only way you can trek the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The different registered tour companies can help with the purchase of permits, but you have to do extensive research about the company you want to use. You can purchase the gorilla permit from the Rwanda Development Board however the best option is to purchase it from a tour operator since it is a smoother route to getting the permit.

Gorilla permits are known to be expensive, but the money paid is used to conserve the gorillas, and the cost per person is $1500 for foreign non-residents, $250 for Rwanda and East African citizens, and $500 for African residents. There is an offer of a discount on the gorilla permit in Rwanda on the permits but it can only be given to tourists who have booked to also visit the two parks of Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera National Park. Tourists who also buy permits in bulk when they come for a conference in Rwanda also receive a discount on the gorilla permits.

Gorilla permits in Rwanda need to be bought in advance because you don’t want to miss out on trekking gorillas in Rwanda when you miss out on getting the permits after they are sold out.

Chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda are charged differently depending on the chimpanzee trek destinations. For example, the cost of the gorilla permit in Kyambura Gorge is $50, Kibale National Park is $300, $50 in Kalinzu Forest, and $50 in Kaniyo Pabidi and Budongo Forest. Chimpanzee trekking permits can be purchased through a tour operator or directly from UWA, and it needs to be done at least 3 to 6 months before you travel for proper planning. 

Chimpanzee trek permits are printed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and they are used as a measure to control the number of people who trek gorillas in a day in a bid to protect them.

Gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda and Chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda starts with an early morning briefing about the gorillas, the rules and regulations, and the assigning of gorilla families that you are going to trek, and with a lead guide, the trek will start. Volcanoes National Park has varying topography made up of steep hills, slopes, and flat lands, and depending on the family that you have been assigned, you will have to be physically fit to take on the trek. In case you feel like you won’t be able to handle the longer treks, inform the guide during the briefing so that you are assigned an easier gorilla family to trek. The trek time varies from 2 to 5 hours, and after finding the gorillas, you have an hour with them, and when the one hour is up, you trek back to the park headquarters for the awarding of the certificates.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is mainly carried out in Kibale National Park, and the experience is one that tourists visiting Uganda should experience. Starting as early as 5:00 am, all trek groups meet at the park headquarters for a briefing from the lead guide about the trek, and after separating you into groups of 8, the trek will start with an armed ranger and guide leading the way. Getting to the chimpanzees is an exciting journey through the forest, and once the chimps are located, you get to spend an hour with them before heading back to the park headquarters and the lodge.

The experience for both gorilla trekking in Rwanda and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda varies depending on the tourist, but all in all, both safaris are satisfyingly good. 

Gorilla trek rules in Rwanda, and chimpanzee trek rules in Uganda

The independent government bodies of Rwanda Development Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority are in charge of the rules and regulations to be followed when gorilla and chimpanzee trekking and these are to protect and conserve the primates. Although they are a bit similar, there are a few differences, and we discuss the rules below.

Rwanda gorilla trek rules: The trekking age limit is 15 years in Rwanda and no one below that age is allowed to trek the endangered Mountain gorillas, eating when next to the gorillas is not allowed, smoking is prohibited at all times, leaving a distance of 7 meters from the gorillas after finding them, noise usually disrupts the gorillas so avoid making them, only 8 people are allowed to trek the gorillas per day in a bid to reduce the spread of diseases to the primates, avoid littering the national park, the camera flash has to be turned off before taking photos, never look the gorillas in the eye, do not bring in anything to the park that might affect the gorillas, and after digging a hole of 30 cm to use as a toilet, cover it up properly to protect the gorillas at all costs.

Uganda chimp trekking rules: Uganda’s minimum trek age is 15 years, you have to keep 7 meters from the chimpanzees, and 8 people will be allowed to trek the chimp families, Flash photography has been banned since the flash causes chimpanzees to go into hiding, littering the national park is not allowed, avoid putting on sunglasses since the chimpanzees can see their reflections in them and think that there is another gorillas, never eat, drink or smoke when with the chimpanzees and communicate in low tones and turn your phones on silence, airplane mode or switch it off.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda packing list

The gorilla and chimpanzee trek packing list is similar and below is a list of essential things that you can pack for the safaris these include refillable water bottles, strong hike boots, a day backpack, insect repellent, sunscreen, a camera with extra batteries, lenses, and storage, binoculars, first aid kit, a sunhat, neutral colored clothes (long-sleeved shirts and trousers), gaiters, socks for warmth, waterproof windbreaker/jacket, warm sweater/poncho and snacks among others.

When to go for a combined gorilla trek in Rwanda and a chimp trek safari in Rwanda

Rwanda and Uganda have the same weather patterns due to their proximity to the equator. There are two seasons and these are the dry season from June to September and December to February and the wet season from March to May and October to November. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking is best carried out in the dry months because it is easier to use the hike routes since they are not muddy or slippery. There will be rainfall during the dry season however it is lighter than the one received during the wet months. The wet season attracts fewer tourists and this is because of the slippery trek routes but you can good discounts on accommodation during the wet season.

Booking with us is the best decision that you will ever make because we have experience in planning tailor-made safaris between Rwanda and Uganda. All queries that you have about combining gorilla trekking in Rwanda and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda will be answered by our well-equipped professionals who will help with consultations and planning your safari for you. Make sure that you book the safari in advance for proper planning.