How to plan the best Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari

August 20, 2024
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How to Plan the Best Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari

Interested in seeing both the rare mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda? Then planning a memorable Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari should be a must-do. Are you wondering how to plan the best Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari? Planning and booking a combined Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee tracking vacation is faster and stress-free when you deal with the local tour operator.

Hundreds of local tour operators/companies are distributed across Uganda but none beats Maranatha Tours and Travel when it comes to planning the best Uganda mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris. Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking combined tour offers a great opportunity for you to enjoy up close and personal encounter with two unique apes; mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.

What is most essential is to know how to plan the best Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari. Here is a complete list of essential travel tips to guide you on how to plan a successful Uganda gorilla and chimp trekking holiday.

Tips on How to Plan the Best Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari

Choose the right destinations

Uganda is one of the most endowed destinations in East Africa with different primate trekking sites. Choosing the right destination for your Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari is essential.

Unforgettable gorilla trekking adventures are best done in the two destinations in Uganda that is Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These two gorilla safari parks offer refuge to over half of over 1063 mountain gorillas left on planet Earth.

Over 24 habituated mountain gorilla groups also exist in Uganda’s gorilla parks alone making it the ideal place to find mountain gorillas in the wild. These are distributed across five regions -4 regions in Bwindi (Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Nkuringo) and the Ntebeko region in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda to choose from include Kibale National Park with over 1500 chimpanzees. This is 795 sq. km Rainforest Park and is home to the highest profusion of chimps. Additional chimp safari destinations include Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Semliki although this is the least visited.

Book your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits in advance

Note, that you can’t be allowed to visit the chimpanzee community or gorilla group without a valid gorilla permit. A valid mountain gorilla permit in Uganda is open for booking at USD 800 per person, then chimp permits for Kibale National Park cost USD 250 per visitor. The Kyambura chimp permits cost USD 100 per visitor.

Consider booking your primate permits in advance to avoid last-minute disappointments. Feel free to talk to our expert via our active email: info@adventureugandasafaris.com or contact us at +267-414-231-454 or +256-772-636-412. Our team is ready 100% to make your primate trek dream come true. Get a quick response early and a free quote on your trip.

What is a typical Uganda gorilla and chimp trek like?

A typical gorilla and chimp trek begins with the briefing. This session is performed by an experienced guide or an official. This is usually done from the respective destination offices. It is within this same period that you will be allocated an experienced guide who will lead you in the search for a family of mountain gorillas or chimpanzee communities.

A gorilla trek can last for 2-6 hours and is done only once a day. The chimpanzee trek takes place twice a day; early morning or afternoon. Each session guarantees primate lovers magical interaction with the Great Apes in the wild.

Photography is also guaranteed for everyone and this is during the 1 hour of what is referred to as the magical hour. Just have your camera set at this moment and let it be free from the flashlights.

How to Plan the Best Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari — Chimpanzees in Kibale National Park

Book your accommodation in advance for your night stay during the chimp/gorilla trek

All the destinations have accommodation options for visitors to book whether it is gorilla trekking or chimp tracking. Talk to your local expert; Maranatha Tours and Travel (info@adventureugandasafaris.com) to assist you make a booking of a safari lodge, hotel, or camp for your night stay. Do not wait till the actual day of trekking chimps, because the demand for accommodation is high, especially during the peak months (June-September/December-February).

By estimate, accommodation options can range from USD 100 to USD 1000 per person per night. Choose from budget, midrange and luxury lodges like Buhoma Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge in Bwindi National Park.

When choosing a place to stay, avoid distant accommodation. Get a place nearby where the actual trekking begins. Remember the next day after you have reached the destination, you will be required at the park offices for briefing which starts early by 6:30 am.

Distant accommodation can waste time and you end up reaching to reservation desk to clear with authorities late. Talk to your expert to direct you to comfortable accommodation located close to where your activities will be enjoyed.

Choose the right local expert to book your Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari

Book your gorilla and chimp trekking vacation stress-free with Maranatha Tours and Travel. We have over 15 years’ of experience organizing the best trips to Uganda, Rwanda, and the entire East Africa.

Contact our safari planner now via info@adventureugandasafaris.com. We don’t just book any trip, but one that leaves lasting memories in our clientele.

We ensure that we put everything to the standard, secure accommodation, and comfortable 4×4 safari vehicles for your road trips. Our trip itineraries are so flexible that you can have one starting from Entebbe city or Kampala.

Alternatively, for those with plans to trek gorillas in Mgahinga and Bwindi and you are in Rwanda, you can still set off from Kigali via the Katuna or Chanika border.

Know how long you want to be in a destination

Take note that the more you stay the more you enjoy. Interestingly, we do not in any way limit visitors’ exploration. Our trip itineraries are available starting from short tours to long safaris.

We can customize a trip based on your travel interest, and budget. Do not be limited by the tailor-made trip packages on the website, they can still be adjusted.

Top selected gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris

Pack well –what to wear and footgear

Choosing what to pack can be stressful but for starters, simply consider essential gear. On your packing list, have waterproof hiking boots, a camera free from the flashlight, a daypack, long trousers, insect repellents, first aid kits, snacks, adequate bottled water, a sweater, and visas. Other items include an extra battery for cameras, chargers for your gadgets, a pair of socks, personal toiletries, a sweater, a safari hat, and more.

How to plan the best Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari? Age limit

Start planning and booking a gorilla and chimp trekking safari when knowing the acceptable age limit. Gorilla trekking is open to trekkers above 15 years and chimpanzee tracking is restricted to persons above 12 years.

When to travel/visit Uganda for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee tracking and gorilla trekking are best done during the peak dry months. This is from December to February or June to September. These months generally experience low rainfall amounts and the ground is often drier making it easier navigating through the wild in search of mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.

Plan how you intend to connect to your destination

When it comes to getting around Uganda, car hire services come into play. With over 15 years of experience, we have a long list of comfortable 4×4 safari vehicles available for hire for your road trips to and from destinations you plan to visit. We do not outsource our rides –once you book a trip with us, you don’t find challenges on the actual day of travel. It is a matter of you meeting with your driver guide set for your road trip to your destination of choice.

Aside from road travel, we also assist organize fly-in safaris. You can book a fly-in gorilla tour to Bwindi or Mgahinga through our local expert.

Beyond gorillas and chimpanzee trekking

Uganda being the leading African safari destination, expects to enjoy plenty of things. In addition to mountain gorilla and chimp trekking, you can also have guided game drives in the country’s finest savanna parks; Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo, and Kidepo Valley Game Park.

Adventure seekers can embark on mountaineering in Mount Elgon, Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Muhabura volcano, and the Rwenzori Mountains.

How fit do you need to be for Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking?

A moderate fitness level is essential for anyone planning to go trek gorillas or eastern chimpanzees. Do early preparation, exercise and be ready for your adventures.

Conclusively, take note of the above tips on how to plan the best Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari and you won’t regret it in life. Book your gorilla tour, Africa safaris, and chimpanzee safaris with Maranatha Tours and Travel for lasting memories.