Why consider volunteering while on your gorilla and chimp trek in Uganda

By taking the decision to do volunteering while on gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda, you need to specify your niche especially if you are not in contact with them. At Encounter Africa safaris, we may assist in finding where you can volunteer in line with your interest. Volunteering may be in a wildlife center, social, education sector, religious name it.

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Do provide brief details about yourself with credible scanned copies of your documents that confirm your qualifications in relation to your interests. These act as backup to use when introducing your request to those concerned especially if we are to be your ground handlers. Do include a cover letter to introduce you to the prospective bodies you hope to work with.

Most organizations in Uganda have criteria and other requirements they may request from volunteering so kindly avail them. Sometimes you need to have patience because response from some organizations may delay because of protocol. This is why we advise our clients to apply for volunteering early in case to make up for delays.

In Uganda, gorilla trekking happens in Bwindi forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park in southwestern Uganda. One must book a Uganda gorilla permit to participate in this adventure but note that the permit supply is restricted to maximum 8 per family per day.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda happens in Kibale National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi forest, Kyambura gorge, Budongo forest, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary and more. To do chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, you need to book a permit but the cost of Uganda chimpanzee permits varies with safari destination.

Where to Do gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Bwindi National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in south western Uganda are the only destinations where to do gorilla trekking in Uganda. Bwindi forest is divided into four areas Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga.

Take note of the area where the gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi is booked as this determines where to book accommodation. Staying within or closer to the area where your gorilla permit for Bwindi is booked is better to get you to the briefing point intime.

Beyond the mountain gorillas, Bwindi forest is also home to other 9 primate species, over 88 butterfly species, 350 bird species, more than 200 natural tree species and more. The forest is prehistoric and believed to be more than 25000 years old.

Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park is another historic home of mountain gorillas even though currently one gorilla family is open for public viewing. The topography of Mgahinga National Park is generally composed of highlands where some times the mountain gorillas spend party of their day.

Beyond the mountain gorillas, Mgahinga National Park is home to golden monkeys another endangered primate species with about 4000 of them living world over. These endangered primates have a larger body structure and golden brown hairs on the lower body.

Excursion hiking on either of the three of the six Virunga volcanoes that is Mountain Gahinga, Sabyinyo and Muhavura. You need a ranger guide to accompany you during the hike on either of these mountains.

Where To Do Chimpanzee Trekking In Uganda

The recent population census of chimpanzees in Uganda indicated that about 5000 chimpanzees are living in the country. Chimpanzees are another endangered primate species with and the closest human relatives in animal kingdom with about 98% human DNA.

Kibale National park

In Uganda, Kibale National Park is the primate haven hosting bout 13 primate species inclusive of chimpanzees. According to statistics about 1500 chimpanzees are residents of Kibale forest of which about 12 chimpanzee communities are open to the public.

Kibale chimpanzee safaris are carried out in the morning or afternoon. One can choose to do chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation Experience. Each of these chimpanzee safaris in Kibale forest necessitates purchasing a permit from Uganda wildlife Authority.

Other resident primates in Kibale National Park include bush babies, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, L’Hoest, black and white colobus and others. Over 325 bird species have been rercorded as residents of Kibale forest.

In case you wish to volunteer within Kibale National Park, you need to seek permission from Uganda Wildlife Authority especially if it is within the park.

Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

A chimpanzee community lives on the floor of the rift valley in the forested part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. One needs to hike to find these chimpanzees which is quite steep but one can into the forest. Follow the ranger guide’s directions because the chimpanzees are very sensitive.

You can join early morning or afternoon chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge. Having some level of fitness is necessary to enable you move around faster. No matter what time you take searching for the chimpanzees, if you are fit you may never feel the need to slow down.

Later, you can choose to do a game drive or launch trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Keen birder have so much to see in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kyambura forest as the park is home to more than 605 bird species.

Budongo Forest

Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest is open to the public even though the forest is normally known for chimpanzee research. While on search for the chimpanzees, you may find black and white colobus, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and more.

You can do chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation experience. Chimpanzee habituation Experience allows you to have extra time with the semi-habituated chimpanzee troop.

A number of birds linger in Budongo forest and keen birders have an opportunity to spot a range of birds.

Kaniyo Pabidi forest in Murchison Falls National Park

From Kicubanyombo gate of Murchison Falls national park, you may get to Kaniyo Pabidi forest which is about 8 kilometers from the gate. You can join the morning or afternoon chimpanzee trekking experience in Murchison falls National Park.

In Kaniyo Pabidi forest, you may encounter other primates like black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons and more. A multitude of birds spend their time in the environs of the forest.

Kalinzu forest

Kalinzu forest is mainly a chimpanzee research destination on the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You can do chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest especially when other chimpanzee trekking destinations permits are sold out. The experience of chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest is amazing.

Ngamba Island chimpanzee Sanctuary

In Lake Victoria Koome Island is the Ngamba islanda chimpanzee sanctuary which is the second home for rescued, abandoned, community rejects, orphaned chimpanzees are given a home. These chimpanzees cannot be rejoined with their original communities and not ready to be assimilated by new chimpanzee communities.

Tourists can pay a visit to the Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary early morning or afternoon to watch them from the feeding platform, may participate in chimpanzee up-close, keeper for the day and more.

Where To Do Volunteering In Uganda

In case you are interested in volunteering in a wildlife related destination, it is best to seek permission from the Uganda Wildlife Authority for the time you are to be at the destination. Sometime you may be required to take some shots especially of you are to be close to the wild animals.

If the choice of volunteering during gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is beyond wildlife centers, you may directly reach out to those concerned or request for assistance from Encounter Africa Safaris. It is best to make arrangements for volunteering services earlier to cover up for any delays and avoid last minute panic.

When is the best time to do gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda with Volunteering

The dry season which is June to September and December to early February is the best time to do gorilla and chimpanzee trekking with Volunteering. This is because the dry season enables  the best faster movement around the country both with transport or on foot.

The fact that both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda are outdoor activities, there is need for a less moist environment to achieve the best of this Uganda safari. It is more convenient to move through the moist forests in search of the gorillas and chimpanzees plus other forest residents.

Even while volunteering in Uganda during the dry season, it is quicker to move in the wilderness or in the community during this season especially of you are to engage in out door services.

The dry season experiences a high influx of tourists in Uganda so on ground expect to meet other tourists.

The wet season is open to gorilla and chimpanzee trekking with volunteering possible too. If you wish to find less crowds while on Uganda safari and volunteering or get exclusive time at the destination, the wet season may be that ideal timing. The wet season which is March, April, May and November opens better opportunities to carrying out Uganda safari activities with less interference.

 How Safe Is Gorilla, Chimpanzee And Volunteering In Uganda

Gorilla or chimpanzee trekking or volunteering in Uganda is safe because on ground are well trained ranger guides from Uganda Wildlife Authority and other Uganda security agencies. Before moving into the forest every tourists must attend briefing where full communication about what to expect while in the forest is communicated. Every tourist is expected to adhere to the rules of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking.

While volunteering, safety is very important too so try to protect your valuables from the public. Always walk with your identification documents in case you are lost or need help.

Never move into the forest without an escorting ranger guide and do not get out of your lodge in the night because you do not know what may encounter along the way. Do make use of your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking gears to protect yourself from the rough surfaces in the jungle.

Keep in a tight group during gorilla or chimpanzee trekking and while walking around during volunteering. Do not get away from the rest of the group or else you may be forgotten in the wilderness. While moving the town centers, in case you are volunteering in the community, be careful not to count large sums of money in public or else you may get wrong company.

Who Is Eligible For Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking In Uganda

Children aged 12 years and over are eligible for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. This was set as the age limit because, the walk to find these primates is in the jungle. At times the trails in the forest are obstructed by dense undergrowth, creepers and vines that children below this age may not be able to with stand.

Adhering to the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking rules is taken seriously but children under this age may be incapable of withstanding this for the time they are in the forest.

At a glance, the sight of the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees may send a cold chill down the spine even though these primates are launching an attack on you. It is very easy for children below this age to react in a way that may be misinterpreted by the curios and sensitive gorillas and chimpanzees.

Time to spend to find the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees is hard to determine but requires patience which may be hard for children under this age.

For Volunteering in Uganda, the age is open other than the few wildlife safari active with age limitations.

Why Choose To Do Gorilla, Chimpanzee And Volunteering In Uganda

Uganda hosts some of the endangered primates in the world with mountain gorillas in Uganda as part of the few left in the world. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda happens is various destinations but still these are few. While searching for the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, you get to see other primates too including black and white colobus, blue monkeys, olive baboons and more.

A number of birds explore several of the forests where gorillas and chimpanzees co-exist.

When volunteering in the Uganda community, note that the people are friendly and extending a smile to stranger is taught from childhood so do not be shocked. Note that you have to be keen with your belongings because any one can pick them.

Get in touch with our team for more information.