Which month of the year is best for gorilla and chimp trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Chimpanzee trekking is a popular wildlife activity carried out in both Uganda and Rwanda, and the activity allows you to get close to the primates who are similar to humans and share almost 99% of human DNA. The chimpanzee trekking experience is almost similar to gorilla trekking, but unlike gorillas, which are a bit calmer, the chimpanzees keep moving from place to place.

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The trek begins at the park's headquarters with a briefing from the tour guides about the dos and don'ts while trekking and the rules to follow. It takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours to track the chimpanzees, depending on the chimp trek group you are assigned to. After finding the gorillas, you get to spend an hour with the chimps, studying their behavior and taking as many photos as you can. 

Gorilla trekking is a top tourist attraction in Uganda and Rwanda, where tourists meet the endangered Mountain gorillas that can only be trekked in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking destinations include Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. 

Uganda has the highest number of gorillas, making it the perfect destination, but if you are looking at luxury gorilla trekking, Rwanda is the right destination.

Timing for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking is everything. Although both activities can be carried out throughout the year, the best time and month falls in the dry season when the forests are not too dense and the trek routes are passable. The best months for trekking are June to September and December to February. Some of the factors you need to consider when choosing the right time include personal preferences that is your plans after gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, the peak and low seasons (your budget is the main determinant), and the weather. An inside peek at the best and worst months are:

December to February: The short rainy season comes to an end in December and the dry season starts. This makes it the perfect time for trekking, but note that this is a festive season, and there will be large crowds. The dry season with a few showers continues throughout January to February, and the dry trek routes make it the best time to go for chimp and gorilla trekking.

March to May marks the start of the rainy and low seasons. However, this does not mean that trekking comes to a halt, but if you can brave the rains, then this is your time, especially if you are traveling on a budget. April comes with the heaviest of rains, and tourists are advised to avoid April if possible. The rains continue throughout May and come to a stop towards June. Note that although it is the rainy season, it is rare to find that it has rained the whole day; however, it is still possible.

June to September is a peak season and the best time for chimpanzee and gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. Large crowds are witnessed during this period, and the cost of the safari is higher during this time as well. There will be a few rainy showers, but manageable for tourists.

October to November marks the start of the short rainy season, also known as the low season. The weather in Uganda drastically changes, so you should be ready for anything.

What is chimpanzee and gorilla habituation?

Chimpanzee and gorilla habituation is a situation where chimpanzees are trained to get used to human presence in the jungle. This is an almost half or full-day experience exercise where you join researchers to participate in the habituation process. Although the chimps are hard to follow due to their constant movement, the process is rewarding because you will learn more about the primates. The difference between chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation is that you get to spend more time with the chimpanzees during habituation, which is not the case with normal chimpanzee trekking.

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

Planning on going for a chimpanzee trek in Rwanda? Then this is your article. After the Rwanda genocide, for the past decade, Rwanda has placed tourism as the number one priority, improving the country's tourism sector. 

Chimpanzee trekking, unlike gorilla trekking, is not easy because the chimps are always moving, making it hard to track them. Nyungwe Forest National Park is known to have the highest concentration of primates in Rwanda amounting to about 13 species including the chimpanzees.

Nyungwe National Park has the largest chimpanzee population in Rwanda, with over 500 chimps. Two troops have been habituated for chimpanzee habituation trekking. One of the troops is found in a small section of the forest known as Cyamudongo whereas the 2nd habituated troop is found at the Nyungwe main forest.

Tips for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Chimpanzee trekking is organized throughout the year, but there are basics and tips you need to know before planning a trip. These will help you plan accordingly and know what to expect when you go chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda.

There is a great chance of seeing the chimpanzees if you are tracking them from the Cyamudongo forest, and this is because of the small nature of the forest, which allows you to see more Chimpanzees, unlike in the main forest.

Chimpanzees in Nyungwe are not fully habituated and keep moving from place to place, making tracking difficult. Due to their abrupt movement, it is not guaranteed that sighting of the chimpanzees will be possible.

Children below the age of 16 years are not allowed to track chimpanzees.

Track permits in Rwanda (Nyungwe Forest National Park)

Foreign non-residents $90

East African citizens $60

Other chimpanzee trekking destinations in Rwanda include the Gishwati-Mukura National Park, which has a smaller group of chimpanzees; however, they still need to be more popular for trekking than Nyungwe. The best time for chimp trekking is in the morning, when the chimps are more active in searching for food.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda are less expensive when you compare them to gorilla trekking permits, but they are all issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The cost of the permit depends on the trekking season and the destination chosen. For example, during the peak season, the track permits are higher as compared to the cost during the low season. 

Chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda

Chimp trekking in Uganda is carried out in three distinct places: Kibale National Park, Murchison Falls National Park (Budongo forest), and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is the best destination for chimpanzee trekking because the forest has the highest chimpanzee population in the country. Kibale, located in southwest Uganda, has over 1500 chimpanzees with a 90% chance of chimp sighting. 

Kibale National Park is done in two shifts, one in the morning and the other in the evening. In both shifts, the groups are divided into smaller groups of 8 to track the gorillas easily and not scare off the chimpanzees with large crowds. Chimpanzees live in communities of 250, and they divide themselves into groups to easily find food and later converge to form nests for the night. 

Track permits in Kibale National Park

Foreign non-residents 300 USD

Foreign residents                             

250 USD

East African citizens 250, 000 UGX 

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison is one of Uganda's top tourist attractions, home to the Big Five, and one of the destinations for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. Chimp trekking in Murchison is done in Budongo Forest Reserve, and the sighting percentage here is at 80. The trekking permits for the Budongo forest are purchased through the National Forestry Authority. The experience of chimpanzee trekking in Budongo is more personal due to the fewer visitors. 

Chimp trekking in Murchison Falls National Park is also carried out in the Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo forests. There are no clear trek routes, but the tour guides will take you through the forest and help track the chimpanzees.

Chimpanzee trekking is done in the morning and evening hours with experienced guides taking you on this tour while telling you the different stories connected with chimp trekking and the Jane Goodall Institute.

Track permits in Murchison Falls National Park                                                                            

Foreign non-residents 130 USD

Foreign residents 150 USD

East African citizens 20 USD

Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Kyambura Gorge is nestled in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park and is a tourist destination for chimpanzee trekking. Kyambura Gorge is often called the 'valley of apes' with a 60% chance of seeing the 17 chimpanzees living within the gorge. After tracking the chimps, you can enjoy a safari ride through Queen Elizabeth where you can see numerous wildlife and remember the tree-climbing lions in Ishasha. 

Track permits in Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Foreign non-residents 50 USD

Foreign residents 50 USD

East African citizens 30, 000 UGX

Gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda and Rwanda

Uganda has two gorilla trekking safari destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Rwanda has only one gorilla trekking destination in the Volcanoes National Park.

Track permits in Murchison Falls National Park                                                 

Foreign non-residents 130 USD

Foreign residents 150 USD

East African citizens 20 USD

Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Kyambura Gorge is nestled in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park and is a tourist destination for chimpanzee trekking. Kyambura Gorge is often called the 'valley of apes' with a 60% chance of seeing the 17 chimpanzees living within the gorge. After tracking the chimps, you can enjoy a safari ride through Queen Elizabeth where you can see numerous wildlife and remember the tree-climbing lions in Ishasha. 

Track permits in Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Foreign non-residents 50 USD

Foreign residents 50 USD

East African citizens 30, 000 UGX

Gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda and Rwanda

Uganda has two gorilla trekking safari destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Rwanda has only one gorilla trekking destination in the Volcanoes National Park.

Chimpanzee trekking vs. gorilla trekking 

Chimpanzee trekking is the second most sought-after activity by tourists after gorilla trekking and is on the rise. Chimpanzees have 98% of their DNA close to humans and are calm primates unless provoked. The activity is carried out in different national parks that act as habitats for the chimpanzees.

On the other hand, gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is done in Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Volcanoes National Park, respectively, and is the most popular activity in both countries. To be able to trek gorillas, you must purchase a gorilla permit, follow all the rules and regulations set up by the wildlife authorities and spend an hour with the gorillas. A gorilla permit goes for $800 and $1500 in Uganda and Rwanda respectively.

Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking are similar in more ways than you know like the rules and regulations to follow while trekking, the time spent with the primates, and how to act. Chimpanzee trekking vs. gorilla trekking 

Chimpanzee trekking is the second most sought-after activity by tourists after gorilla trekking and is on the rise. Chimpanzees have 98% of their DNA close to humans and are calm primates unless provoked. The activity is carried out in different national parks that act as habitats for the chimpanzees.

On the other hand, gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is done in Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Volcanoes National Park, respectively, and is the most popular activity in both countries. To be able to trek gorillas, you must purchase a gorilla permit, follow all the rules and regulations set up by the wildlife authorities and spend an hour with the gorillas. A gorilla permit goes for $800 and $1500 in Uganda and Rwanda respectively.

Chimpanzees and gorilla trekking are similar in the rules and regulations to follow while trekking, the time spent with the primates, how to act around them, and how they behave around humans.

Chimp and gorilla trekking rules and regulations

Trekking rules and regulations are set up to protect visitors from aggressive primates and also protect the chimpanzees from extinction because they are easily prone to diseases. The rules for chimp trekking include the following:

• You need to keep a distance of 8 meters between yourself and the chimpanzees.
• You are not allowed to feed the chimps, eat or drink in their presence.
• If you are feeling sick, you are not allowed to trek, especially if you have flu and cough.
• If you feel like poop, you need to dig a hole of about 30cm deep and bury everything, including the toilet paper, after you have finished.
• Do not make noise; if you need to communicate, do it in low tones to avoid disturbing their behavioral patterns.
• Turn off your flashlight when taking photos, and avoid putting on sunglasses.
• You can only have access to the chimps if you have a permit and with tour guides.
• The minimum age for chimpanzee trekking is 15 years in Uganda and 15 years in Rwanda.
• You need to follow all the guidelines given to you by the tour guides.

What to pack for a chimpanzee trek in Uganda and Rwanda

• Carrying excess luggage will make your chimp trek easier and faster. You need to know exactly what to carry and what to wear to have an enjoyable chimpanzee trekking safari and these include the following:
• Sunhat and sunscreen
• Long-sleeved shirts and trousers, all in neutral colors. Avoid putting on bright colors, black since it absorbs heat, and blue for its attraction of tsetse flies.
• A day backpack to carry the essentials you will need while trekking like a water bottle, snacks, camera, and other equipment.
• A camera, binoculars, and extra batteries.
• Snacks, water bottles, walking sticks, insect repellents, and solid hiking boots.

Best time to go for chimpanzee and gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

The best time for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is during the dry season, June to September and December to February. This is because the trekking conditions during the dry seasons are favorable and it is easier to trek through the forests where the chimps are located. This differs from the wet season, March to May and October to November, when the trek routes are slippery and muddy, making it difficult to track the chimps. During the wet season, the forest is denser, slowing down the track. The good thing about monitoring during the wet season is that the chimpanzee trekking permits are cheaper and there are fewer crowds. 

In conclusion, the best time and month is July and August; the worst is April, which comes with heavy showers. You can still go for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda all year round. Contact us for more information.