Can I Track Gorillas and Chimpanzees on my Safari in Uganda
Can I Track Gorillas and Chimpanzees on my Safari in Uganda
Can I Track Gorillas and Chimpanzees on my Safari in Uganda, Do you have an interest and you planning to visit Uganda to go gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park? Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is one of the top activities you should do on your visit to Uganda, you will have an opportunity to visit and trek the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest in the far southwestern part of Uganda and Chimpanzees in western Uganda’s Kibale national park.
Gorilla tracking in Uganda happens in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These are one of the only 2 national parks home to the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda, other national parks include Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo.
Bwindi Forest National Park is one of Africa’s oldest forests with a diverse biodiversity with various species which include 350 birds, 310 butterflies, 200 trees, 51 reptiles, 88 months, and 120 mammals, the park is also home to several primates including chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkey and the major one the Mountain Gorillas. The global population of mountain gorillas is 1064 individuals and half of these can be found in Bwindi Forest, the park has over 15 habituated gorilla family groups open for gorilla tracking with 8 gorilla permits allocated to each group per day.
How is gorilla trekking in Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest is done in 4 sectors which include Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi and Ruhija sector in the North Eastern part of Bwindi both sectors are located close to Queen Elizabeth National Park making it easy to combine gorilla trekking with game viewing if you are trekking at these sectors. In the southern Part of Bwindi, it is where Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors are located close to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for gorilla trekking and Golden monkey tracking. Each sector has different habituated mountain gorilla families open for gorilla trekking with Rushaga sector having many families compared to other sectors.
Places where to see the Gorilla and Chimpanzees in Uganda
Two national parks in Uganda combine well for a gorilla and chimps trekking primates safari; Kibale National Park in western Uganda near the Rwenzori Mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda’s southwestern corner, in the highlands at the base of the Virunga Mountains.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
In Uganda’s mountainous southwestern region, surrounded by terraced slopes, misty mountain peaks, and densely populated communities, there comes Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a wildlife home. Being UNESCO World Heritage site, it hosts a high number of animal and plant species, one of the highest in the world. However, its most celebrated inhabitants are the mountain gorillas.
With the highest mountain gorilla population than any other protected area, Bwindi is an outstanding gorilla trekking destination in Africa. If you hope to have to best gorilla & chimps combo in Africa, the two parks, Kibale and Bwindi, will be your best choice across the continent.
Note:
Bwindi is subdivided into four sectors that highly determine where you’ll stay and book the gorilla trekking safari. Each sector has many habituated gorilla groups, which visitors will trek in small clusters of eight trekkers per gorilla group. Make sure your tour operator informs you of which sector connects well with chimps tracking in Kibale.
In the south of Bwindi we have Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija sectors, they connect well to Kibale, driving through the smooth-surfaced road via Kamwenge-Mbarara-Kale. While the Buhoma sector in the north is a challenging connection to Bwindi because of the unsurfaced road through Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha sector. It would take close to an 8-hours drive unless you hope to spend a night in Queen Elizabeth for a game viewing safari.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is quite a distance from Entebbe International Airport. You would have to drive for about 7-8 hours from Entebbe or take a one-hour flight to a small airport 2 hours outside the park. However, between Bwindi & Kibale, the drive is shorter.
Chimpanzee Trekking Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park has thirteen (13) primate species hopping between the park’s treetops, the highest concentration of primates in Africa. The Central African monkey primate species in Kibale include the mangabey, red colobus, L’Hoest’s monkey, black-and-white colobus, olive baboon, vervet, blue monkey, and the common chimpanzee. However, the biggest visitor attraction to the park is the habituated troops of chimpanzees. Chimp sightings are guaranteed with every visit, making Kibale an outstanding choice for chimps tracking in Uganda.
Kanyanchu Visitors center:
While at Kanyanchu visitor’s center, Uganda Wildlife Authority guides lead small group daily excursions in the forest to find a chimpanzee family and spend at least an hour with them for a permit price of $200 per person. A much more intense experience with the chimps in Kibale is the Habituation Experience, which allows visitors to spend the whole day with a chimpanzee family for a permit price of $250 per person.
Expert trackers from Uganda Wildlife Authority lead small groups of tourists from the Kanyanchu Visitor’s Center into the rainforest to find a habituated troop of chimpanzees every day at 0800 and 1400. The chimpanzee tracking adventure starts after a short briefing at the center. Sightings are not guaranteed because the chimps are free to forage anywhere in the 296 sq mi forest park. However, you have a very high chance (about 98%) of seeing the chimpanzee band and spending at least an hour with them.
Tracking the chimps in Kibale is not as physically demanding as you’ll find out for gorillas. Although the rainforest is thick, the Kibale Forest terrain is mostly flat and easy to navigate. However, keeping up with the chimps once you find them is an active experience that may drain your breath. The chimps rarely stay still but stay on the move unless they’ve just filled their bellies and are relaxing to gain energy for the next foraging expedition.
When you plan a gorilla & chimps combo in Uganda, you can end the safari in Kibale after trekking the gorillas in Bwindi or start with Kibale and head southwards to Bwindi. Either route is highly satisfying.
Accommodation on your Primates safari
Accommodation at both parks, from cheap homestays to exotic luxury forest lodges, is readily available for all types of travelers. And at Safari Vacations and Travel Services ltd, we usually book your accommodation, including meals and transport for your perfect gorilla and chimpanzee safari
Best time to trek gorillas and chimps in Uganda
The best time to plan for a gorilla & chimp combo safari in Uganda is during the annual dry seasons of June to September. We don’t expect rain to disrupt your gorilla or chimps trekking experience during the dry seasons, giving you a high chance to see and spend time with the primates. The trails and roads in Bwindi are dry during this time.
The annual rainy seasons of March to May and November are the best times for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest. During this time, the chimps are easier to find because of the wide availability of forest fruits. And there are fewer travelers during the wet seasons. However, the rain can disrupt most travelers, so most choose to come during the dry seasons.
While planning, remember that the dry season is peak season in Uganda, and most travelers book their permits for the peak season. Therefore, ensure that you book your permit and accommodation with a trusted tour operator month before your travel date to avoid disappointments.
Packing list for visiting gorillas and chimpanzees.
The following are the Suggested Items to pack while going Gorilla trekking;
- Insect Repellent
- Torch and Spare Batteries
- Water Bottle
- Camera, lenses
- Comfortable walking/hiking boots & socks
- Gardening gloves for gorilla tracking
- Rain Jacket
- Binoculars
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for a Ugandan native, we specialize in life-changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. We are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with Uganda Wildlife Authority making it easy to book your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.
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