Tips for planning a perfect gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda

Tips for planning a perfect gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda. Planning a gorilla and chimpanzee trek safari in Uganda can be overwhelming because you do not have all the knowledge needed when planning the safari, and mistakes that can turn out to be fatal are made by those planning the safari.

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It is a puzzle that needs to be put together by someone who knows exactly what to do, and that is why we advise tourists to always use a local tour operator to help with the planning. To efficiently plan for a chimp and gorilla safari, we have come up with tips and information that you need to know, and these include:

Gorilla and Chimpanzee trek destinations in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is carried out in two destinations in Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Both national parks are located in southwestern Uganda and are the only destinations in Uganda where gorilla tracking takes place. Bwindi currently has 24 habituated gorilla families, and Mgahinga National Park has one gorilla family.

Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda is carried out in different destinations: Kalinzu Forest, Kibale Forest National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, and Budongo Forest. Kibale is the central chimpanzee trekking destination in the country, and each destination offers a unique experience for all tourists.

Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking rules in Uganda

Before you plan a trekking safari to Uganda, you need to know about the rules and regulations that were set up by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to protect the endangered species, and these include:

• The minimum trekking age is for gorillas is  15 years and chimpanzees is 12.
• Groups of 8 will be allowed to trek chimp and gorilla families per day
• Avoid making a lot of noise when with the chimps and gorillas
• Never touch, feed, or chase the primates
• No one is allowed to smoke, eat, and drink when you are with the gorillas and chimpanzees.
• No one will be allowed to trek the chimps and gorillas when sick.
• When you feel like sneezing or coughing, turn away from the gorillas and cover your mouth and nose.

Use a local tour operator.

Most tourists know little or no knowledge about Uganda and how to organize a gorilla and chimpanzee trek safari. There are a lot of scammers online, and you must be extremely careful when organizing a chimp and gorilla safari to Uganda.

Planning a gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is not an easy fit, especially when organizing all the needed services, such as trekking permits, accommodation, transport, meals, and other activities. All the chimp and gorilla trekking destinations are several hours away from the capital city of Kampala. Given your distance from the country, it will be hard to ascertain whether your booking is available, and this is where tour operators come in.

For an enriching and exciting gorilla and chimp safari in the country, get in touch with us because we know the country well and will organize the safari on your behalf. Check out our reviews on TripAdvisor, and you will not be disappointed.

Purchasing a gorilla and chimpanzee trek permit

Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is only possible if you purchase the trekking permit, which is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority for all tourists intending to trek chimps and gorillas in Uganda. The trekking permits have to be bought at least six months or more before the trek date for proper planning, and the best way to purchase the permit is through a trusted local tour operator. However, you can purchase the permits directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, although this involves many steps. 

The cost of the gorilla permit in Uganda is as follows:

Current cost starting              1st July 2024

Foreign non-residents $700                          $800

Foreign residents $600                                  $700

EAC UGX 250 000                                            UGX 300 000

The cost of the chimpanzee permit is different depending on the chimpanzee trekking destination you choose. Below is the cost of the chimpanzee permits in the different destinations.

Kibale National Park

Current                                     cost starting 1st July 2024

Foreign non-residents $200                        $250

Foreign residents $150                                 $200

East African citizens UGX 150, 000             UGX 180, 000

Kyambura Gorge

Current                                      cost starting 1st July 2024

Foreign non-residents    $50                       $100

Foreign residents $50                                    $80

East African citizens UGX 30, 000                  UGX 50, 000

A chimpanzee and gorilla permit, once purchased, includes the following:

The Permit covers gorilla trackers who are out early in the morning as they prepare for the trek during the briefing, searching for the primates, and informing the guides on the right direction of taking the visitors during the trek.

The permit gives you an hour with the chimpanzees and the gorillas after you have located them.

It also includes park entrance fees

The chimp and gorilla permits also cover security with well-trained armed rangers and guides.

How many days for the gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Uganda?

As you plan for the chimpanzee and gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, you need to know the number of days you will spend on your safari. The number of days spent on a safari usually depends on the activities you wish to do while on your gorilla and chimpanzee safari. The standard number of days spent on gorilla and chimp treks is three days, but if you wish to add more activities, the days can increase. Some of the safaris to consider include:

• 3 days Gorilla trekking or Gorilla habituation safari.
• five days gorilla-chimpanzee trekking safari
• 3 days chimpanzee trekking safari
• 5 days Gorilla wildlife safari
• 12 days Gorilla chimpanzee wildlife safari.

The above is just to give you a clue on the number of days you can spend on the safari. For more mid-range and luxury safaris, get in touch with us to prepare the best itinerary for you.

What to wear when tracking gorillas and chimpanzees?

What to wear on your trek is extremely important because it will determine whether you have a comfortable or uncomfortable trek. If trekking, do not dress right; it will spoil your day, and you might not enjoy trekking gorillas and chimpanzees. Suitable clothes are all about being comfortable and protecting your body.

When choosing the right clothes, make sure they are in neutral colors because brightly colored clothes attract much attention from the wildlife, and blue attracts tsetse flies. 

The clothes should have extra layers to protect the skin from scratches and insect bites. The shoes should also be comfortable, fit, ankle-length, and waterproof.

What to pack for a perfect chimpanzee and gorilla safari in Uganda

This is one of the things that you need to know about organizing a chimp and gorilla safari in Uganda, and these include:

• A gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permit because you cannot track without one.
• Long-sleeved shirts and trousers to protect your body from tree thorns and bug bites and keep your body warm when it is cold. The clothes should be neutral colored, and when it comes to pants, do not bring jeans for trekking.
• Hike boots that are ankle length to keep your feet dry, and they should also be waterproof and comfortable.
• A waterproof rain jacket to protect you from the rain during the trek
• A flashless camera with extra batteries and lenses to keep your chimp and gorilla safari memories. Flash photography has been prohibited, and that is why a flashless camera is the best.
• Insect repellent to protect you from bug bites like mosquitoes and tsetse flies.
• A day backpack to help you carry all the items that you will need during the trek
• Sunscreen and sunhat
• Adjustable gaiters to be used during the wet and dry season.
• Thick socks and warm sweaters for the cold weather.
• Energy snacks and refillable water bottles.
• Personal toiletries

Activities to do when on your gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Uganda

There are a lot of activities and different safari destinations that you can add to your gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Uganda, and these include golden monkey trekking, wildlife viewing, bird watching, boat rides, canoeing, cultural visits, guided nature walks and Mountain hikes. The destinations that you can also visit include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Jinja Town, Lake Mburo National Park, Mount Rwenzori, Mount Elgon, Mount Sabinyo, and Mount Muhavura. 

Choosing a Gorilla and chimp lodge/accommodation

There are three categories of accommodation facilities in Uganda: budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodation facilities. We usually recommend tourists get mid-range or luxury accommodation facilities. Whichever lodge you prefer to stay in, you are advised to book in advance for better deals since they are usually fully booked, especially during the dry season. You will also need a local tour operator like Encounter Africa Safaris to help you book the lodge closest to the trailhead.

All the lodges have security, and there have not been any incidences of breaches. Go all out on getting the best lodges because this is a one-in-a-lifetime experience.

When to see chimpanzees and gorillas in Uganda

Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris in Uganda can be carried out throughout the year. There are two seasons experienced in Uganda: the dry season (June to September and December to February) and the wet season (March to May and October to November). Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are best seen and tracked during the dry season when the trek trails are easy to use and the vegetation is less thick than it is during the wet season. The wet season is not the wrong time to go for gorilla and chimp trekking in Uganda, but you need to be aware of the heavy rains during the wet season and the muddy, slippery trek trails. The good thing about trekking gorillas and chimpanzees during the wet season is that it is a low season and the best time to travel when you are on a budget.

The dry season is also referred to as the peak season, and you will need a larger budget when traveling during the dry season. This is because there are so many tourists visiting the country in the dry season, and service providers keep on hiking their costs. The wet season is also called the low season because there are fewer tourists during this period, and service providers, especially accommodation, reduce the costs to attract more tourists during this period.

Chimp and gorilla trekking destinations are tropical rainforests, and rainfall can be received anytime, so be ready for rain during the dry season. However, they are not as heavy as during the wet season.

Getting to the gorilla and chimpanzee trek destinations in Uganda

Gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda are both found in southwestern Uganda, and there are two modes of transport you can use to get there: road and air transport. When you decide to fly, book chartered flights at least three days before from Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip. You get to drive the rest of the way to the park headquarters.

By road, you can drive from Kampala to either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park, which takes 9 to 10 hours. It is also possible to go from Kigali through the Cyanika or Gatuna border, and it will take you 4 to 5 hours to get to the National Parks.

You can also use road or air transport to get to the different chimpanzee trek destinations in Uganda, and the most commonly used is road. Depending on where you wish to trek chimpanzees from, that is, Kyambura or Kibale, you will have to book transport in advance to plan the safari properly.

Contact us for more information.