Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris from Canada.

Are you planning Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris from Canada? A Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari is one of the best safaris to do in Africa, especially for those travelers interested in seeing the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitat. This safari in Uganda will take you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to trek mountain gorillas and then to Kibale Forest National Park or Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Kalinzu and Budongo Forests to see chimpanzees. 

Are you in one of the cities in Canada and you are interested or planning a Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari? Are you in Manitoba, Alberta, British Colombia, Ontario, and Quebec among others and you are interested in visiting Uganda for a gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari? Did you know booking this safari is easy and all can be done on your laptop or telephone with less hustle, below are the guidelines to enlighten you with more information, ranging from whether to use a tour operator or not, different Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safaris options, the best time to book a Uganda gorilla and chimp trekking safari, where to go in Uganda for a gorilla and chimp safari and so many other important things to help you plan a memorable Uganda gorilla and chimp trekking safari from Canada.

Selected Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris options.

These are the most popular gorilla safaris in Uganda you can book from Canada, you can book an all-inclusive gorilla safari or customize it to your interests;

3 Days Chimpanzee Trekking safari

3 Days Gorilla Trekking tour

5 Days Gorilla and Chimp Trekking Safari

5 Days Gorilla and wildlife trip

4 Days Gorilla and golden monkey Safari

8 Days Uganda Primate Safari

11 Days Uganda Gorilla trekking Safari

Main things to consider while booking Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris from Canada.

Are you planning to visit Africa and Uganda for the first time and you need more information to consider when planning your gorilla and chimpanzee safari, below are the important things you need to know before organizing a Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari from Canada.

How to book Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris from Canada.

Booking Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safaris you need a gorilla and chimpanzee permit secured in advance to confirm that you are booked in for a Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safari. As soon as you have your exact dates of travel confirmed, we will require you to send us an email here so that we check for the availability of gorilla and chimpanzee permits online with the Uganda Wildlife Authority once we confirm permits are available for your planned dates we will inform you so that we prepare for you an invoice for you to make payment for the permits. Once the payment is made and appears on our account, we will purchase your gorilla and chimpanzee permits immediately and forward you a scanned copy of the permits for your records and perusal, this will confirm you are booked for Uganda gorilla and chimp trekking safari. It is advised to book your Uganda gorilla and chimp trekking safari in advance at least 2-3 months prior to your visit given the fact permits sell out very quickly on a first come first serve basis. 

About gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is a gorilla activity that involves trekking/walking and hiking through the forest to search for habituated mountain gorillas that leave together in a given gorilla family group and are used to human presence, once you find them you will have an encounter with them which involves seeing them, taking photographs as well learning about them from your ranger Gorilla trekking gives you an opportunity to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking is done in a group of 8 people trekking one given gorilla family.

About chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking is an activity that involves trekking/walking and hiking through the forest to search for habituated chimpanzees which leave together in a given chimpanzee group and are used to human presence, once you find them you will have an encounter with them which involves seeing them, taking photographs as well learning about them from your ranger guide.  Chimpanzee trekking gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with them in their natural habitat.

Where to see the gorillas in Uganda?

Uganda is home to 50% of the only remaining mountain gorillas in their natural habitats in the world. In Uganda mountain gorillas are only found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both parks are found in the southwestern part of Uganda close to one another.  Many people prefer trekking gorillas in Bwindi because of the many mountain gorilla groups available in the park compared to Mgahinga which only has one gorilla family Nyakagezi, this makes it easy and assured to get a gorilla permit in Bwindi compared to Mghainga.  What is known is that both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park have mountain gorillas and no big difference with the experience enjoyed at the end of your gorilla trek.  The only difference is that mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are in the Virunga/hills with mainly bamboo as the main vegetation while Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, where these mountain gorillas are is a predominantly tropical rain forest with varieties of trees and plants. Opportunities of seeing gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are 98% so any of the two national parks you choose to visit, you will see these great apes in their natural environment.

Where to see Chimpanzees in Uganda?

Uganda is home to more than 5000 chimpanzees, these are distributed and found in various destinations, these include Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo forest Murchison falls National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kalinzu forest among other notable locations.  This makes Uganda one of the best places to see chimpanzees in the world. Kibale Forest National Park is best known as the primate capital of Africa due to a variety of resident primates with 13 species of primates including the largest population of chimpanzees in Uganda estimated at over 1500 chimpanzees making it the best place to see chimpanzees in Uganda, other primates found in Kibale Forest include the nocturnal bushbaby and potto, Monkeys, baboons among others.  Kibale forest national park is a favorite destination for bird lovers, with over 335 bird species recorded. There are two sessions of Chimpanzee trekking one in the morning and another in the afternoon determined by the chimpanzee permit you hold and your itinerary to trek in a session accordingly.

How long and tough is Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park timings and conditions vary tremendously as the mountain gorillas tend to circulate through the rain forest depending on the natural conditions at the time of your trek.  It is good to be reminded that the weather can change with very little warning. The terrain is often steep and through areas where there are no marked trails. It can sometimes be very strenuous and energy-consuming or just a couple of hours but it can also be for a full day of up to 8 hours or more.

How much is a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda?

The Gorilla permit in Uganda Costs $800 Per person per trek for the Foreign non-residents, $700 Per person for foreign residents, and $70 for Citizens of the five East African countries (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend a full one-hour encounter with the habituated mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Uganda has 17 habituated gorilla family groups with 16 found in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga this means 136 Gorilla permits are available every day for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Gorilla trekking excursion in Uganda also gives you an option to spend more time of up to four hours with the mountain gorillas through Gorilla habituation experience which is only done in Bwindi forest, a gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 per person giving you an opportunity to spend 4 hours encounter with the semi habituated mountain gorillas. Getting gorilla permits in Uganda can be done directly by booking them through Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a trusted tour operator in Uganda Encounter Africa Safaris.

How long and tough is Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda?

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is not strenuous compared to gorilla trekking however you still need to be prepared and remember the weather can change with a very little warning while in the forest with the chimpanzees so for example carrying a rain jacket is very good. The terrain is often gentle for chimpanzee trekking through areas with well-marked paths and trails.

How much is chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda?

Kibale Chimp permit costs USD300 per person, Non-Foreign Residents, Kyambura gorge chimp permit costs USD50 per person Non-Foreign Residents, Kalinzu chimp permit costs USD50 per person Non-Foreign Residents and Budongo the permit costs USD130 per person, Non-Foreign Residents. There are two sessions for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, namely; a morning session that starts at 8:00 am and an afternoon session that starts at Mid-day throughout the year.

How much does Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari cost?

A 5 Days Uganda gorilla and chimp trekking safari cost starts from US1870 per person sharing all inclusive excluding the international flight fares and Visas. On top of the gorilla and chimp permit, you will also pay for other services for a successful gorilla and chimp trekking safari which include transport, accommodation, and guiding. 

Best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda?

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is best done in the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for the treks in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, as well as during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for viewing the mountain gorillas offering great sights for photographs and besides, there is less rainfall to disturb you as you hike.  During the other rainy months of April, May, and November which is normally a wet season this makes the vegetations grow very fast and high making mountain gorilla sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter because mountain gorillas don’t have to move far in search for food that is readily available. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done throughout the year, irrespective of the two varying seasons, and also there are 99% chances of seeing the mountain gorillas.

Best time for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is best done in the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for Chimpanzee trekking in the Forest, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown thus not much competition for food and limited movements and it is easy for viewing the chimpanzees offering great sights for   Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can be done throughout the year given the fact it is a very well organized activity and you have 99% chances of seeing the Chimpanzees.

Where to stay and price of accommodation in Bwindi

Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Forest National Park is done in the northern part that is Buhoma and Ruhija and in the southern part that is Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. In Rushaga, you can stay at Rushaga Gorilla camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, and Karungi Camp. In Nkuringo you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge, or Lake Mutanda Resort, all these lodges are close to the start point of Gorilla Habituation.

In the northern part of Bwindi in the Buhoma region you can stay at Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Buhoma Havens Lodge, Egagi Lodge, Ride 4 a Woman, and others, In Ruhija you can stay at Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Agandi Eco Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Broadbill Tented Camp or stay in Kabale around Lake Bunyonyi

In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lodges include Gahinga Lodge, Lake Chahafi Resort, and Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge

There are many accommodation options in Kibale national park where you can stay during your Chimpanzee trekking here these range from budget, mid-range to luxury let us know we will book for you accordingly. Budget options include Chimpanzee forest Guest House, Isunga Lodge, and Kibale Homestay among others these cost USD90-100 per person per night, mid-range include Primate Lodge and Turaco Treetops Lodge among others these cost USD250-300 per person per night, Luxury options include Papaya Lake Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, and Nadli Lodge these cost USD300-800 per person.

The best route to use during your gorilla and chimp trekking safari in Uganda.

Both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are located in the southwestern part of Uganda, and these parks are close to each other. For you to get to one of these parks for gorilla trekking you can use the main highway road from Entebbe/Kampala via Mbarara, Kabale, and then proceed to either the northern or southern part of Bwindi depending on which side you have booked for your gorilla trek. On the northern side you will turn off along the Kabale-Kisoro highway you will see a signpost of Uganda Wildlife Authority and follow this road to either Ruhija or Buhoma sector.  The southern sectors Nkuringo and Rushaga are accessed by branching off at Muko town located along the Kabale-Kisoro highway for Mgahinga you will proceed and pass through Kisoro town to get to the park.

 By Air; There are scheduled flights available at Entebbe International Airport operated by Aero Link Uganda and Kajjansi Airfield operated by Air Uganda which fly to both Kisoro and Kihihi airstrips are close to close to Bwindi forest National Park. From here you will access the park for gorilla trekking which takes approximately 1-2 hour's drive.

Depending on your itinerary and places you plan to visit where to do your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking also depending on availability and booking you will either start with gorilla trekking or end with chimpanzee trekking. 

Why book with Encounter Africa Safaris

Encounter Africa Safaris will help you book your Uganda gorilla safari from Canada contact us here we advise you on the booking process. We as well have different Uganda gorilla trekking safari packages ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury options available that we can book for you including the gorilla and chimp permits. Read through our trip advisor reviews and read from a community of happy satisfied clients and trust us with your booking. With our expertise and the many years of organizing memorable experiences, we can assure you of a lifetime and memorable Uganda safari holiday. We focus on providing excellent service and customer satisfaction. Our team of excellent and well-experienced safari designers is always ready and on standby to help answer all your safari questions. We guarantee you a great gorilla and chimp trekking tour in Uganda with us.