Combining Uganda gorilla and chimp safari with a visit to Kahuzi Biega National Park

To plan gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda with a visit Kahuzi Biega National Park includes purchasing gorilla permits for both gorilla trekking and chimpanzee safari in Uganda and D.R.Congo.

In Kahuzi Biega National Park, the major activity in this park is lowland gorilla trekking with currently about 5 gorilla families open to the public to visit. The low land gorillas are a unique gorilla species with a larger body that is stout and has shorter hairs. The tourist activity in the eastern part of D.R.Congo for long has been affected by political unrest in this area resulting from rebel activities.

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In Uganda, gorilla trekking happens in two national parks that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Uganda has over 20 gorilla families open to the public but you need a gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority to gain access to these activities.

For chimpanzee safaris in Uganda, there are several destinations one can choose from Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi in Murchison Falls National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary and others.

While in Uganda, you can do gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience or chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation experience depending on your budget and interest. For gorilla or chimpanzee trekking, tourists are allowed one hour with the fully habituated gorillas or chimpanzee troop. Gorilla or chimpanzee habituation experience, tourists are allowed four hours with a semi-habituated chimpanzee troop.

How to Plan Gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Uganda and Kahuzi Biega National Park.

Day 1 Drive to Kibale National Park

Rise up early for breakfast and your driver guide will pick you from your overnight hotel to start the journey to Kibale National Park. On the way, look out for stunning scenery along the way and make stops to enjoy the great spots along the way.

Kibale National Park is a tropical rainforest situated in western Uganda. This forest harbors a number of fauna and flora including the chimpanzees of which about 1500 chimpanzees are the estimated population living in this park. Other than the chimpanzees, the forest is home to about 12 primate species like black and white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys and others.

Check into your lodge

Accommodation: Primates Lodge, Kibale Safari Lodge, Chimpanzee Guest House

Day 2 Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park

Wake up early morning for breakfast and carry your gear to the ranger station for briefing. You can hire a porter to carry your gear as this helps not weigh you back. The way to see the chimpanzees may be quite disturbing because during the rainy season, vegetation protrudes through to obstruct the way.

Along the way, you may encounter other primates like the black and white colobus, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboons and others. Look out for other bird species and over 325 birds are registered as residents of Kibale National Park including Albertine rift endemics.

When you locate the chimpanzees, watch them go about their day-to-day life but only one hour is allowed with them during chimpanzee trekking. Get back slowly without causing any alarm.

Day 3: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Wake up early morning and start the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to several primates of which mountain gorillas top the list. This pristine forest is home to a long list of wildlife and plants. The way to Bwindi forest is decorated with stunning sceneries like the Kigezi highlands and others.

Arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight.

 Accommodation: Gorilla Safari Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Engage Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Bwindi View Guest House

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Get up early morning for breakfast and head to the ranger station for briefing. Your ranger guide will lead the way following the trail leading where the mountain gorillas were last seen the previous day. Time of finding the mountain gorillas is quite hard to determine as they love moving freely in the forest in search for what to consume during the day.

You need to bear some level of patience and have some fitness level in order to maneuver the forest huddles. Open your mind to see other interesting features in the forest like dense network of rivers, sparkling waterfalls, different tree species, birds and others.

 Finally, when you locate the gorillas, watch them to go about their day-to-day life and return to your lodge later.

Day 5: Depart For Kahuzi Biega National Park

Wake up early for breakfast and drive to Kahuzi Biega National Park passing Bunagana border. Drive to Bukavu town them Kahuzi Biega National Park.

Kahuzi Biega National Park is a tropical rainforest in eastern D.R.Congo and home to the eastern lowland gorillas. This park is a lowland forest situated between two mountains that is Mountain Biega and Mountain Kahuzi from which it gets its name.

Arrive in the late afternoon to check into your lodge.

Day 6 Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park

Wake up early for breakfast and carry your gorilla trekking gear plus packed lunch head to the ranger station for briefing. Your ranger guide takes you through the guidelines of gorilla trekking then follow him or her. Ensure you abide by the rules of this adventure.

Look out for other primates in the jungle and birds that spend here day traversing the forest in search of food and other supplies. To add more fun to your gorilla trek, help the ranger locate the mountain gorillas by following the clues they leave behind like the fresh dung, listen to their murmurs, freshly chewed foliage, and others. Finally, when you locate the eastern lowland gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them for conservation reasons.

Get back to your lodge to relax.

Day 7 Departure day

Wake up for breakfast and depart for the airport to catch up with your flight back home.

When is the best time to book gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Uganda and Kahuzi Biega National Park?

The dry seasons of the year are more suitable for gorilla and chimpanzee safaris in Uganda and Kahuzi Biega National Park even though all activities are considered possible all year. The dry season is normally June, July, August, September, December and January.

Although the eastern side of D.R.Congo and Western part of Uganda receive rains and have lower temperatures conditioned by the forests around this area, the dry season temperature may rise reducing the level of precipitation in the forest.

The gorillas and other forest dwellers are more visible in this season because they feed closer to the ground because there is food scarcity in the forest. Walking through the trails in the jungle is more exciting because more sunlight is allowed through the dense forest to the ground. Even when taking photos, there is better natural lighting and yet no flash photography is allowed in the forest.

However the demand for both gorilla and chimpanzee permits for Uganda and Kahuzi Biega National Park is overwhelmingly high yet restricted for conservation reasons.

Don't give up on the wet season for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda and Kahuzi Biega National Park although the rains may fall almost the entire day. The gorillas and chimpanzees plus other forest dwellers are still present for you to see. For those wishing to have less company or no company while on this primate adventure, this may be the right opportunity.

There is generally less demand for gorilla permits and fewer bookings for chimpanzee safaris in the low season which is March, April, and May which may prompt some service providers to discount their costs. For those conscience with expenditure, this may be an opportunity to book the gorilla and chimpanzee safari at a more budget-friendly cost.

How Sure Can I Be To See The Gorillas And Chimpanzees in Uganda and Kahuzi Biega National Park?

No matter the season, be sure to see the gorillas and chimpanzees of Uganda and Kahuzi Biega National Park. These primates are first habituated to human presence before allowing public visits. This period allows the gorillas and chimpanzees to spend at least one hour with humans under strict rules and regulations.

Each day a team of ranger guides wakes up early morning to follow the troop of chimpanzees and gorillas tracing where they nested and estimating their possible hang out spot.  Some of these clues are what ranger guides use when leading the tourists. The gorillas rarely deviate from their previous hang out spot.

As tourists you can also make memories by helping the ranger guides trace where the gorillas or chimpanzees are by following the fresh clues, they leave behind like their footprints, fresh dung, freshly chewed foliage and others.

Some of these are the major reasons why ranger guides are always sure to locate the gorillas and chimpanzees in the jungle.

Can children do gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Kahuzi Biega National Park?

The age limit for gorilla trekking is 12 years in Uganda and 15 years for D.R.Congo as this includes walking in the rough jungle which children below this age may not be in a position to walk through. Children 12 and over and allowed to do chimpanzee trekking. These ages we set considering the fact that children below may be incapable of following the rules of either gorilla or chimpanzee trekking as these rules are responsible for creating harmony between humans and these primates.

Time for finding the gorillas and chimpanzees during this safari may be quite challenging to determine which requires some patience. This may be quite challenging for children below these ages to bear.

Is Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Safer In Uganda Or D.R.Congo

Uganda is safer for both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari than D.R.Congo where over the years it has been politically unstable. The eastern part of D.R.Congo is politically unstable because of rebel activities, illegal mining, limbering, poaching and much more.

On ground in Uganda are well trained Uganda Wildlife ranger guides who extend their passion and professionalism to protect the gorillas and other forest inhabitants. The ranger guides in Kahuzi Biega National Park have to put extra effort and dedication into protecting the gorillas and other forest inhabitants. This is one reason why visiting these gorillas helps to encourage the ranger guides to keep doing this noble cause and stick to the importance of wildlife conservation.

What To Pack For Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Uganda And D.R.Congo

• Garden gloves to protect your palms from touching stinging nettles and other rough surfaces.
• A pair of Binoculars to bring a closer view of far-ranging objects.
• Sunscreen to smear your entire body and protect your skin from sun rays
• A foldable hat to protect your hair from dripping water off the tree leaves
• Extra fully charged batteries to exchange with in case one runs low.
• A fleece or sweater because it gets cold during the morning and late evenings.
• Travel with an adapter and charger in case you need them for your electronic equipment
• A torch to use in the nights when lights go out.
• Raincoat in case it rains during gorilla and chimpanzee tour experience
• Comfortable shoes to use when searching in the jungle and for the safety of your feet while in the wilderness. 
• Sunglasses to use for protecting your eyes from dripping water of the leaves and buzzing insects
• Medicated Insect repellant for covering your skin from stinging insects
• Bug spray to use in case bugs invade you
• Safari convertible trousers and shirt for protecting your body against rough jungle surfaces like biting nettles.
• The camera to use when taking photos of the gorilla and chimpanzee safari experience and other activities you combine with.
•  First aid kit with emergency medication in case you need itA combination of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda and D.R.Congo is a great safari to experience as you spend time with the lowland gorillas, mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. We have a team of experts readily available to assist you in planning your safari today. Contact us for more information.