The Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking adventure in Uganda
This blog contains all the necessary practical information to help you get ready for your Ugandan gorilla and chimpanzee trekking trip. We go over the best places to trek, the minimum age requirement for gorilla trekking, The Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking adventure in Uganda, and how to get your trekking permits.
Do you need assistance? You may be confident that Abunda Discoveries Uganda will be pleased to assist you with organizing your trip to Uganda and securing your permits to hike with gorillas and chimpanzees. Please get in touch with us if you need advice or more information.
Ugandan gorilla hiking destinations
An estimated 350 mountain gorillas, including 11 habituated groups that are trackable, are protected in Bwindi National Park.
There are four gorilla trekking areas in the park:
The Nkuringo or Rushaga family can be visited from the stunning Mutanda Lake Resort, with which Abunda Discoveries Uganda partners. Buhoma and Ruhija are located in the northern part of Bwindi National Park, while Nkuringo and Rushaga are located in the Kisoro District in the southeast of Bwindi National Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which borders Rwanda and safeguards the Ugandan portions of the Virunga mountains, is another place to go trekking.
How does a typical day of gorilla hiking go?
Make sure you arrive in time for the early start of your gorilla expedition. The drive from your lodge to the start of the walk may take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes on the roads, depending on where you are staying. As a result, you will most likely get up before the sun comes up, pack your lunch and breakfast, and then drive to the starting location in the early afternoon.
The hike will begin with an introduction from your Uganda Wildlife Association guide. A maximum of eight tourists and a few UWA rangers make up each group. You can choose to have your bag carried by a porter. These are local men and women who are delighted to make some money by carrying your goods, so don’t feel compelled to ask.
Typically, the walk begins around 8:30 a.m. It can take anything from around an hour to five hours to find the gorillas, depending on where they were seen the day before. You get to spend an hour with a gorilla family after the rangers locate them. The purpose of the one-hour limit is to keep the gorillas from growing used to human contact. After the allotted time has passed, the gorillas are left alone for the next twenty-three hours of the day.
How to get a permit for gorilla trekking
It is advised that you book your trekking permits well in advance if you intend to embark on a gorilla walk in Uganda. Only tour operators are granted permission by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. It is not possible for a tourist to visit their Kampala headquarters and make their own arrangements.
We at Abunda Discoveries Uganda are pleased to assist you in obtaining your gorilla permits. Only when you have confirmed your reservation for a tour or rental car in Uganda can we accomplish this.
Where in Uganda can I go chimpanzee trekking?
With a 95% likelihood of seeing a chimp family, Kibale Forest is Uganda’s top destination for chimp trekking. In Kibale Forest National Park, excursions begin each morning and afternoon.
Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, or Kyambura Gorge are less expensive options for chimpanzee viewing for people on a tight budget.
- Budongo Forest Reserve is in the vicinity of Murchison Falls National Park. Chimpanzee sightings are most likely to occur in the morning, when there is an 80% chance of seeing them.
- The Kalinzu Forest, stretches along the route that leads to Queen Elizabeth National Park from Mbarara town. and it is expected that 50% of people will witness chimps. The trek itself is still a fantastic experience, even if you are unable to see the chimps.
- The Kyambura Gorge, occupies Queen Elizabeth National Park‘s far eastern section. As you descend to the gorge and enter a new mini-ecosystem, the hike is difficult. Although trekking is enjoyable here, few tourists undertake it. The gorge is a fantastic place in and of itself, and while there is no certainty that you will see the chimps (around 50% likelihood), there is lots of other fauna to see.
- The Bugoma Forest is just thirty minutes from the city of Hoima and four and a half hours from Kampala. Every day at 8 AM and 2 PM, there are two hikes. The Mwera Ecotourism site, located in the heart of Bugoma Forest and 40 minutes away by car from Kikonko Lodge, is the gathering place. They suggest packing gum boots and a jacket.
How old must a person be to trek among gorillas and chimpanzees?
In Uganda, you must be at least 15 years old to go on a gorilla trek. You must be at least 12 years old to go chimpanzee trekking.
How physically fit must I be to trek gorillas and chimpanzees?
The weather and the gorillas’ and chimps’ proximity determine how difficult the hike will be. It is uncommon for the hike to endure more than six hours. A gorilla or chimpanzee journey requires only a moderate level of fitness (walking). Trekking is done by people of all ages, including those in their late seventies. The usage of a local walking stick is a great help, and a porter can help. Wearing appropriate apparel and traction-enhancing boots will further facilitate the experience.
