Combining gorilla trekking in Uganda with chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

Combining gorilla trekking in Uganda and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is a good way of exploring the diverse nature of the two countries. Gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking are some of the best ways of exploring East Africa. Below is a suggested itinerary combining a gorilla trek in Uganda and a chimpanzee safari in Uganda.

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3 Day Gorilla Habituation via Kigali

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The summary of the itinerary below allows you to have an unforgettable experience from encountering chimpanzees and gorillas while enjoying the beauty of the national parks in Uganda and Rwanda.

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda

Day 2: Exploring Kigali and driving to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking

Day 4: Cross the border into Uganda

Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi

Day 6: Transfer to Rwanda

Day 7: Departure

For a more detailed itinerary, please get in touch with us. Our staff will be ready to help you plan and give you a detailed itinerary with costs.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is a popular activity that is carried out in Uganda in both Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Uganda has the highest gorilla population in the world, with half the population in Bwindi, and this is why it is referred to as the best gorilla trekking safari destination in the world. Mountain gorillas are an endangered species that were almost extinct by 1989, and the IUCN once declared them critically endangered because there were only 620 gorillas left in the world. With the measures put in place to protect the gorillas from diseases and poachers, their numbers have significantly increased, and in 2019, the ICUN declared them an endangered species.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda, with half the gorilla population and the best destination for the trek. The national park has four sections where gorilla trekking takes place. These are the Buhoma sector, the Ruhija sector, the Rushaga sector, and the Nkuringo sector; these can be accessed year-round. With about 19 habituated gorilla families, Bwindi offers tourists a variety. Bwindi is the only place where the gorilla habituation process is carried out, and during this exercise, you spend 4 hours with the gorillas. The gorilla habituation permit is $1500.

Mgahinga National Park, located in southwest Uganda, like Bwindi, is the smallest national park in Uganda and the only other place in Uganda where you can go for gorilla trekking. With only one gorilla family, the Nyakagezi family, Mgahinga is a good gorilla trek destination for tourists who prefer to avoid large crowds and those driving from Rwanda since it is located along the border of Uganda and Rwanda.

Trekking permit in Uganda

A gorilla permit is your ticket to trekking and spending an hour with the Mountain gorillas, and without it, no one will be allowed to trek the primates. The permit is sold on a first come first serve basis and tourists are expected to at least book the permits 6 to 9 months before the trek date. Purchasing the permits can be done through UWA or a trusted tour operator.

Tour operator: Uganda has more than 100 tour operators registered with AUTO, which can help when purchasing gorilla permits. Tour operators help purchase the permit and can plan and organize the entire safari for you. Note each operator has their charges, which differ, and the cost that is the same is the cost of the trek permit.

Through UWA: If you plan a self-drive gorilla trek safari in Uganda, you can also purchase the permit directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority by emailing them. Booking and purchasing the permits through UWA is a bit tiring because they rarely answer their phones, and this might cause delays.

Cost of Gorilla permits in Uganda.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority always sets the cost of the gorilla permit, and in case there are any changes, communication is done through the official website. Uganda no longer offers discounts on gorilla permits, and you shouldn’t buy the permit for anything less than the original fee because it will be fake. The cost of the permit as of 2023 is as follows:

Foreign non-residents: $800

Foreign residents: $700

EAC citizens: 300 000 UGX.

The Uganda age limit for gorilla trekking.

The age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 15 years. This has been changed from 15 years to include more children in the trekking exercise. No special permits will be given to anyone below 15 years, and as long as you are fit, you can trek the gorillas.

Gorilla trekking rules and guidelines in Uganda

• The time spent with the gorillas is an hour after finding them; however, if you wish to spend more time with them, you must opt for the habituation process, where you get 4 hours. The one hour might seem like little time, but it is enough time to spend with the gorillas studying their behavior and taking photos.
• You have to be put in groups of 8 to be able to trek the gorillas in Uganda. The number was reduced to 8 so that the lead guides could manage the group, and the small numbers reduced the transmission of diseases from humans to gorillas.
• A distance of 7 meters must always be kept after finding the gorillas.
• If you need to go to the toilet, ask for a machete from the guides, dig a hole of at least 10 cm away from the group, and cover it up after you are through. We also advise that you use biodegradable toilet paper.
• The national park has to be clean throughout, and the best way to do this is by not throwing rubbish around the park and carrying it out with you after gorilla trekking.
• You must always stay with the trek group because you are in unfamiliar territory, and other wildlife species in the park should be avoided.

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

Chimpanzee trekking is one of the top activities carried out in Rwanda, and it is mainly done in Nyungwe Forest National Park, home to about 13 primate species, including chimpanzees. Nyungwe forest is a rainforest covering between 1700 to 3000 square kilometers. It was conserved in 3005 to protect the chimpanzees and was later declared a national park by the Rwandan government. Nyungwe is home to over 500 gorillas, and only two troops of chimpanzees are open for trekking, one in the Nyungwe central forest and the second in Cyamudongo. Cyamudongo has the smallest group located in the eastern part of the forest and is also considered the easiest to trek.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe starts from three starting trek points: Uwinka (the main center), Gisakura, and Kitabi. Before trekking starts, all groups gather at one of the Centres, where the briefing occurs. You are all expected to be at the centers for the briefing at around 4:30 am after breakfast, so the trek starts as early as 5:00 am. The briefing reminds you about the rules and regulations that must be followed when chimpanzee trekking. Afterward, you will separated into groups of 8, and then the trekking will begin.

After locating the chimpanzees, tourists only have one hour with the chimpanzees to discover how the chimpanzees behave when around humans and how they care for their young ones as they take as many photos as they can. Chimpanzees have at least 99% of their DNA as humans, so do not be shocked when some act like humans.

The habituated chimpanzees are in the center of Nyungwe and have about 60 members, but note that these are harder to see due to the terrain in the area. The Cyamudongo group is smaller, with approximately 30 chimps, which offers the best sightings of the chimpanzees.

The cost of the chimp trek permit in Rwanda

Chimpanzee trekking is like gorilla trekking, and you must purchase a chimp trek permit to access the chimps. The permit has to be booked early enough so there are no inconveniences, and below is the permit cost in Rwanda as of 2023. This is liable to change at any time, and when the Rwanda Development Board makes any changes, we will communicate them so that you can adequately plan for the safari.

Foreign non-residents $250

Foreign residents $75

EAC citizens $25

Accommodation when chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda 

Accommodations that you wish to go for chimpanzee trekking need to be in advance and some of the facilities you can use include the Gisakura Family Hostel, One & Only Nyungwe House, Café Restro Bar Keza, Kitabi Eco-Center, Uwinka campsites, Golden Monkey Hotel, Nyungwe Top View Hill Top, Rustic Rest House, Hotel Ibis Butare and Hotel Faucon Butare among others.

Nyungwe trekking rules and regulations        

• Always keep a distance of 8 meters from the chimpanzees and try as much as possible not to provoke the chimps.
• When you feel like sneezing or coughing, turn away from the chimpanzees and cover your mouth to avoid infecting the chimps.
• Avoid using a flash camera when taking photos.
• An hour will be spent with the chimpanzees after finding them
• Avoid eating or drinking when with the chimpanzees.
• Keep Nyungwe National Park clean and avoid littering
• Never smoke when with chimpanzees
• Only groups of 8 are to trek a chimpanzee gorilla family per day.

What to wear for a gorilla trek in Uganda and a chimpanzee trek in Rwanda

The dress code for gorilla trekking in Uganda and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is similar. You need to have comfortable clothing if you wish to have a good safari trekking through the jungle. The type of clothes that are recommended should at least be in neutral colors, avoiding blue, black, and any other bright colors. Below is a list of the clothes recommended for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking.

• Trousers and these should not be jeans. The recommended pants should be light-weight
• Long-sleeved shirts and undershirts
• Adjustable waterproof gaiters
• Long, thick socks to keep warm
• Gardening gloves for protection of the hands during the trek
• strong hiking boots should be ankle-length, waterproof, and comfortable

What to bring for the gorilla and chimpanzee trek in Uganda and Rwanda respectively

After getting what to wear, you need to pack right. Some things that need to be filled include insect repellent, sunscreen, a camera, binoculars, a day backpack, money for tips, a waterproof raincoat/jacket, a warm sweater, toiletries, a first aid kit, and cash for personal purchases and tips.

Will I see Mountain gorillas in Uganda and Chimpanzees in Rwanda?

You have a 99% chance of spotting the gorillas in Uganda; however, it is more challenging for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda. Chimpanzees keep migrating from one place to the next within the national park, making it hard to trek them, but lead guides ensure that tourists get to see the chimpanzees without fail through constant communication with the rangers.

Early in the morning, before the trek starts, there is a briefing about the rules and regulations of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, and during this time, trackers will be sent out to find and monitor the last place where the primates were seen. There are clues that the trackers follow, and they will contact the guides at the park headquarters so that by the time the trek starts, they know which route to use when gorillas and chimpanzees trekking.

Best time for a Uganda and Rwanda gorilla chimpanzee safari

Gorilla trekking in Uganda and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is possible throughout the year. However, the best months are the drier ones: June to September and December to February because they have little or no rainfall, no slippery routes, and no mud. On the other hand, you can still trek during the wet months of March to May and October to November, where you can get a few discounts, especially on accommodation.

Contact our safari consultants for more information.