Best way to organize a Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali Rwanda

September 22, 2023

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Uganda is a country of remarkable varieties of alternative wildlife destinations, so for gorilla trekking, you can do this in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can be done in destinations like Kibale National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Kalinzu Forest. As a primatologist, it is a matter of making the most suitable selections of where you wish to enjoy your Chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda.

You can enter the Uganda border via Gatuna or Cyanika borders from Rwanda. The Entebbe Airport is the Uganda entry point from Kigali Airport by air.

While on a gorilla or chimpanzee trekking safari, primate seekers can enjoy a variety of other primates that enjoy the freebies of the different varieties of forest and woodland environments. Some other primates on the Uganda primate menu include golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, and others.

As mentioned, securing the Gorilla or chimpanzee permit is the only guarantee to either gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.

How To Plan For a Gorilla Or Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Uganda through Kigali

Book Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits

Select a date and the number of gorilla permits you wish to book for your safari. Enquire about Uganda gorilla permit availability from an accredited tour operator like Encounter Africa Safaris. We are ready to assist you in making your gorilla safari a dream come true experience. We have been helping clients plan their gorilla safaris for over ten years, including booking gorilla permits. This safari service has won us repeat clients and attract new ones from all walks of life as sampled on tour social platforms like Trip Advisor or Safari bookings.

Alternatively, you can book your gorilla permit through the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Uganda gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are booked according to the Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ruhija areas. Each area is located far from another, making access from one area to another challenging, especially early morning when you need to catch up with early morning briefing.

Mgahinga National Park has one gorilla family called Nyakagezi, which is open to public booking. It was hard to pre-book gorilla permits for the Nyakagezi family in the past because it used to meander into Rwanda. The Nyakagezi gorilla family is currently steadily living in Uganda, and the gorilla permits can be pre-booked.

Chimpanzee trekking permits for Uganda differ according to destination that is, Kibale National Parks are most preferred. Currently, Kibale National Park hosts about 1500 chimpanzees out of a population of about the 5000 chimpanzees that Uganda hosts.

Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park is another home to the Uganda chimpanzees. While in Kyambura gorge, you hike into 100 meters deep gorge curved by the Kyambura River that flows across the rift valley floor to connect to the Kazinga channel. Best way to organize a Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali Rwanda

Kalinzu Forest Reserve chimpanzee habitat on the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park is mainly used for research about the chimpanzees, but during the peak season, chimpanzee trekking may be opened. This is according to the demand, yet the number of chimpanzee trekkers is limited to a maximum of 6 per troop per session.

Kaniyo Pabidi forest in Murchison Falls National Park is home to another population of chimpanzees in Uganda. This forested part of this park has some of the few leftover fully grown Mahogany trees in Uganda. The Chimpanzee permits for Kaniyo Pabidi are under the management of Jane Goodall Foundation.

For both gorilla and chimpanzee permits, booking is required. This is because a limited number of gorilla and chimpanzee permits are released to the public to book daily for conservation reasons.

Booking your gorilla or Chimpanzee permits at least 6 months to a year upfront saves you from last-minute panic when demand is overwhelmingly high.

Secure Accommodations to use during the Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari

Accommodations for Uganda gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking destinations are categorized according to luxury, mid-range, and budget facilities.

Since gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are booked according to area, you need to secure accommodation for gorilla safari closer to the permit. This is because these areas are separated by thick vegetation, and the topography is covered by rugged highlands that do not favor quick connections.

When you overnight in another gorilla trekking area of Bwindi, you may be required to drive in the dark in order to catch up with early morning briefing in another area. To solve this, you need to book accommodation within or closer to the area of your Bwindi gorilla permit.

Bwindi accommodations: Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorillas Forest Lodge, Clouds Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Nkuringo Gorillas Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Silverback Lodge, Engage Lodge, Treker’s Tarven, Bwindi BackPacker’s camp.

Mgahinga Accommodation: Gahinga Volcanoes Lodge, Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle, Majambere Iwachu, Community Camp, Mutanda Lake Resort

Accommodation to book for Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is according to the park. These Chimpanzee trekking destinations differ from where they are located.

Kibale National Park Accommodations: Primates Lodge, Ndali Lodge, CVK, Kyaninga Lodge, Kibale Safari Lodge

Murchison Falls National Park accommodations: Paraa Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Sambiya Lodge, Red Chillis Camp, Murchison River Lodge.

Queen Elizabeth National Park accommodations: Mweya Safari Lodge, Jacana Lodge, Katara Lodge, Bush Lodge, Simba Safari Camp

Reserve Transport For Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Uganda Through Rwanda

Road transport is the main transport to the Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking destinations. Having a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle is the best option due to the nature of the terrain of this area. The roads in the countryside are dusty during the dry season and get messy in the wet season. There are different routes to the gorilla and chimpanzee safari destinations.

At Encounter Africa Safaris, we have a large fleet of cars in good condition, often operated by our professional driver guides. We include transport in the cost when packaging our gorilla and chimpanzee safaris. Our safari packages are according to Luxury, Mid-range and budget.

By air transport, you get into Uganda through Entebbe Airport from Kigali. You may connect to the Uganda gorilla and Chimpanzee destinations on domestic flights. From Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airstrip, you can connect to Kihihih or Kisoro airstrip for gorilla trekking.

From Entebbe airport or Kajjansi, you can connect for Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kasese airstrip or Mweya.

From Murchison Falls National Park, you can fly to Pakuba or Bugugu airstrip to do Chimpanzee trekking in the Kaniyo Pabidi forest.

Charter flight services are available, too, for those interested in private gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris.

Note:

You must secure a transfer vehicle from one Uganda airstrip to your lodge, as each of the airstrips in the different destinations is far from the park.

Book additional activities to combine with Uganda gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking

Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking can be combined with other activities to immerse in the beautiful Uganda safari destinations. You must have extra days on safari because not all Uganda safari activities are in one destination.

Our safari consultants are ready to help you put together the appropriate itinerary inclusive of Gorilla, Chimpanzee, and other Uganda safari activities. We can tailor your itinerary to suit your needs.

While on safari in Uganda, you can enjoy game drives, launch trips, nature walks, scenic viewing, white water rafting, sport fishing, visiting the source of the river Nile, birding, cultural experience, and others. Uganda is a country of diversity, and plenty of safari activities are available for you to enjoy while on your African safari.

Although most of the Uganda safari destinations have no limit to the number of visitors, you need to reserve the required items like park fees and accommodations in advance. This is to avoid last-minute panic, especially in the high season when demand is at its peak. The Uganda tourism season is normally June, July, August, September, December, and January.

When Is the Best Time To Book a Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking Safari In Uganda Through Rwanda?

You can book gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari all year in Uganda, but the dry season is preferred. The dry season in Uganda is normally the peak season too. The humidity in the Uganda forested areas where the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees live is generally lower, and the ground is less logged.

The mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are more active in the dry season, having plenty to pick for a meal that will support them through the day and night. Chimpanzees and mountain gorillas feed on foliage, including fruits, stems, shoots, roots, and others.

In case you wish to do wildlife photography or filming, the dry season favors capturing great photos and moments of mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.

The trails in the forest are passable in the dry season, and even the rivers are normally confined within their boundaries.

During the wet season, there are fewer tourists booking the Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking safaris, so if you wish for a more private experience without spending more, this may be the most suitable time.

How Sure Can I Be To See The Mountain Gorillas And Chimpanzees In Uganda?

There is a 98% chance of seeing mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda. Before a gorilla or chimpanzee troop is opened to public booking, it is first habituated for a sustained period until it is ready to be opened to the public. Early morning trackers often monitor this gorilla or chimpanzee troop to establish their night nesting place or possible day hangout.

These clues are used by the rangers escorting the tourists to do gorilla and chimpanzee trekking. This is done to reduce the chances of taking so long in the forest, as any boundaries do not restrict these primates.

Before Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, tourists undergo a briefing where the rules and regulations of these primate safaris are given. No person is allowed to go Gorilla or Chimpanzee trekking without attending the briefing. These rules and regulations must be followed religiously so as not to agitate these primates or push them into hiding before the passage of time permitted before them is only one hour of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking.

What can I Pack for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda through Kigali?

Safari boots to help you navigate through the wilderness.
Camera to keep memories of your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda
Safari hat with a large brim
Sunscreen
Insect repellant to keep away stinging insects
Long-sleeved shirts and trousers in colors that are wilderness-friendly.
Foldable water bottle
Backpack where you can keep your belongings while trekking to find the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
A torch in case lights run low.
Extra batteries are fully charged in case one runs low.
Travel adapter and charger
Extra wear to exchange into after the gorilla or chimpanzee trek
First aid kit with emergency medication.
Flip flops
Garden gloves
Raincoat or poncho
Warmers because it gets very cold early morning and late afternoons
Extra cash in case you need to make on-ground purchases.
Light shoe bags to pack your shoes in order not to stain other items in your bags.