Month: April 2020

The inclusions and exclusions of a gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo is a major concern for most if not travelers booking to trek mountain gorillas in Africa. During gorilla tour booking, travelers often ask the cost of a gorilla safari depending on the number of days for the trip and the people traveling. At times, the total sum of a gorilla safari looks and sounds huge especially for first-time travelers. Gorilla trekking is undeniably the most expensive which most people take to be a luxury adventure. African Apes Tours & Travel brings you the gorilla tour cost breakdown to answer all your questions. The gorilla safari inclusions and exclusions are:

Gorilla Safari Inclusions

• Mountain gorilla permits

Uganda gorila permit

You must buy a gorilla permit as a pass to see these endangered species. Gorilla permit prices vary from country to country with Rwanda offering the most expensive gorilla permits at $1500 each. In Uganda, a single gorilla permit costs $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African residents. Congo offers the cheapest gorilla permits costing $400 for all travelers. The permit costs include park entrance fees, park rangers fee, government taxes, and conservation fees all included.

• En route Meals

In case you are driving for long distances for example from Kampala to Bwindi Forest National Park, your gorilla tour cost will include enroute meals. Your driver-guide will stop you somewhere to have lunch and you will not be asked to pay any penny. You will have paid for all that. Any enroute meal to be paid for by a client must be indicated in the itinerary to ensure the smooth flow of the trip.

• Full-time English Speaking guide

Unless it’s a private tour, you must pay for your driver guide who leads you throughout the trip from the start to the end. The driver guide is the representative of the travel company you booked with and is assigned to a certain amount of money as an allowance for each day. Driver guides play a big role in providing you all the required answers to your questions about wildlife, plants, people, cultures, politics and everything you need to know on your trip. Your tour cost will, therefore, include the services of a driver-guide.

• Accommodation and meals

Luxury Room in Bwindi Forest

Your gorilla safari cost also includes accommodation services and meals. In other words, travelers do not pay extra fees for accommodation services and meals separate. The amount paid depends on the category of accommodation (budget, mid-range, and luxury) booked by a client. More so, accommodation fees include all room services, foods, and drinks except alcoholic beverages.

• Bottled drinking water

You cannot miss sipping on a cold drink on the sunny long day of driving. Most safari vehicles have fridges, which will be filled with bottled drinking water. Travelers are advised to ask for a bottle of water whenever they feel like cause they will have paid for that water. If the driver has no water in the car, travelers have a right to stop him/her and send him to buy water for them minus paying.

• Company Service fee

You must pay the travel agent/company for the services offered. From the time of inquiring to booking lodges, gorilla permits, and tailor-making for you a suitable safari package, a travel agent does this at a fee. Unlike gorilla permits, which have standard rates, travel company markups are different. Therefore once the safari quiet you were given is paid, the company should not ask any extra money from a client unless otherwise.

• All other activities indicated in the itinerary

Unless it’s a one-day gorilla trek, gorilla trekking is normally complemented with other safari activities such as cultural tours, bird watching and nature/forest walks among others. The cost for these activities included in the travel itinerary is inclusive of the gorilla safari cost. Travelers are therefore reminded not to pay any extra money for these activities in case they are asked to do by a driver-guide.

• Miscellaneous

You will be charged for any miscellaneous/emergencies on a trip. However, the cost of miscellaneous is always less

Gorilla Tour cost exclusions

Not everything expense you make on a gorilla safari is included in the tour cost. Some expenses are bot included in the safari costa and these include:
• International Flights
Your international flight fares will not be included in the gorilla safari cost. No company will pay for your return flights. Bear that in mind and reserve money for that incase your flight was no a return flight.
• Visa fees
• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal shopping
• Tipping
• Porters fee
• Extra activities not indicated in the itinerary
Generally, travelers are ought to know the inclusions and exclusions of gorilla tour costs in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Contact African Apes Tours today, book your gorilla safari and enjoy this memorable experience.

Travelers coming to visit mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are requested to book for gorilla permits at least 6 months prior. The reason for early gorilla permit bookings is deal with the high demand for gorilla tours in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. For many years now, Gorilla trekking has proven to be the best wildlife experience, which brings the highest number of travelers to Africa. While making gorilla tour inquiries, travelers are asked to pay a 30% booking fee for a permit. Travelers are also reminded that all permits MUST be paid for to zero balance 90 days before to the trekking date. Travelers are advised to check some essential things before buying permits.

Cost of gorilla permits in Uganda
Lets begin by talking about the cost of gorilla permits in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda offers the most expensive gorilla permit costing $1500 each. Uganda gorilla permits cost $700 for foreign residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African residents. Congo gorilla permits cost $400 each, making it the suitable gorilla safari destination for budget travelers.

The things to consider before buying/booking gorilla permits in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo include among others:

Confirm Accommodation availability
Before buying a gorilla permit, first confirm accommodation availability in the gorilla national park (Bwindi Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla, Volcanoes and Virunga National Parks) you would want to visit Lodge/camps or even hotels you book should be close to the gorilla trekking starting point. This saves you long hours of driving to and from the gorilla trekking starting point. When booking a gorilla tour to Bwindi, make sure there is accommodation in the respective sector. Bwindi Forest is divided into four sectors, Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga in Northern, Eastern and southern regions respectively and so the gorilla families. Ensure to nook a gorilla family in a sector that has accommodation availability. Lodge services range from budget, luxury and midrange depending on the client’s budget. However, travelers are assured of first-class food and sleeping services in any accommodation they choose.

Check the difference in Weather Seasons
Also, consider the weather season in the period you wish to visit the mountain gorillas. There are mainly two weather seasons in the east and central Africa where mountain gorillas. To most travelers, a dry season between the months of June, July, August, September mid-October, December, January, and February is the best time to trek gorillas. Also, known as peak season, the dry season is associated with fewer rains, which make it easy to trek through the jungle forests for gorilla trekking. Alternatively visit during low season (March, April, May, and November). The heavy rains in the low season normally make it difficult to trek through the forests. However, the experience is best for adventurous travelers. There are fewer travelers during the low season, which guarantee gorilla permit availability even for last time bookings. Lodges and other service providers normally give discounted services, which is an added advantage or budget travelers.

Ease and difficulty of gorilla trekking
Consider the ease and difficulty of trekking a specific gorilla family before booking a gorilla permit. The best example here is in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park where mountain gorillas live in four sectors. Some gorillas are easy to find while others are difficult to trek. Depending on your physical and hiking ability, make sure you book a permit for a gorilla family that suits your abilities. Gorilla permits in Uganda are booked in the sector.

The total cost of the trip
When booking for a permit, first consider the whole cost of your gorilla tour. African Apes Holidays or any other travel operator will give you a final quote for the trip. This involves permit fee, accommodation, driver guide fee, accommodation and meals, bottled drinking water, additional activities in the itinerary and government taxes. In most cases, the total cost of a gorilla tour looks and sounds huge. The cost of a trip also depends on the number of days and number of people on a single trip. If you can afford the total cost of the trip, then go on and book a gorilla permit.

Add on activities
Also, consider the add on activities you can add on your gorilla trekking experience. A Uganda gorilla tour to Buhoma sector is done along with other many add on activities such as waterfall hiking and Batwa community tours. This makes your whole experience memorable. Its therefore advisable to book a gorilla permit in a sector that has added activities to make your experience more fun.

How to book gorilla permits in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo
You can book for a gorilla permit directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or through African Apes Holidays your ultimate gorilla safari company in Africa.

Contact African Apes Tours & Travel for travel advice on gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Who is eligible to Trek gorillas

What’s the gorilla trekking age limit is one of the frequently asked questions by most people in gorilla tour booking. Are you traveling with kids for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo? First, confirm the true gorilla trekking age limit to avoid disappointments when the time to trek gorillas’ come. Families traveling to trek gorillas with children are always advised to first check and confirm the age limit for the kids before buying expensive gorilla permits which may not be allowed if the children is underage. In all gorilla national parks, the legal gorilla trekking age limit is 15 years. Anyone below 15 years is therefore not allowed to trek gorillas no matter what. 15 years was put as a standard gorilla trekking age limit given the fact that the child, not a minion Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. However in cases where a child is ye to celebrate his 15th birthday (left with few days to his/her birthday) he/she can be allowed to trek gorillas. Here the parent /guardian of the child writes and signs a consent letter taking full responsibility for anything that may happen to the child during gorilla tracking. The agreement letter is written and signed by a parent of the child to the respective park headquarters (Uganda wildlife Authority & Rwanda Development Board). In case something happens to the child while in the jungle, UWA or RDB has no case to answer. The parent/guardian of the child will be fully responsible for everything.

Reasons for Gorilla Trekking Age Limit

The age limit was put to ensure the safety of endangered gorillas and also for the minors who are likely to find challenges and risks in gorilla trekking. Among the major reasons for gorilla trekking age limit include:

Gorillas are endangered species

Mountain gorillas are endangered species, which were once on the verge of extinction. The whole world has 1004 mountain gorillas surviving in the rain forests of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. The endangered state of gorillas calls for age limit so as to limit the number of people visiting them.

Susceptible to human diseases

Mountain gorillas share 99.8% of human genes, which make them susceptible to human diseases especially communicable ones (flu and cough). In most cases, children below 14 years are found to have these sicknesses especially cough which can easily spread to endangered gorillas putting them at high risk. Also, young children may not able to keep the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking especially no touch the gorillas, keeping a seven-meter distance and speaking at a low tone.

Forested nature of gorilla national parks

Mountain gorillas live in dense forests of Bwindi impenetrable forest, Mgahinga Gorilla Park, Volcanoes and Virunga National Park. Trekking through these forests is not a walkway but rather a real adventure not for the faint-hearted. The children find it very hard to maneuver through these jungles with thorny bushes, slippery grounds, and thick bushes. Also, gorillas live in mountainous regions of higher altitudes. Hiking there may be a challenge to a child aged below 15 years causing difficulties in trekking. An under-aged child may make it to the gorillas hence a waste of gorilla permit bought expensively.

Playful behaviors of children

The playful behaviors of children below 15 years is yet another reason for the gorilla trekking age limit. At this stage, a child is full of life to play, shout and have fun anywhere at any time. He/she may therefore not adhere to the rules of gorilla trekking especially keeping calm. The playful behaviors of children play 15 years can disrupt the peace of gorillas forcing them to charge at clients hence destroying the whole gorilla trekking experience.

Who else is eligible to trek gorillas?

Besides age limit, other requirements for travelers trekking gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo include among others:

Valid gorilla permits

You must have a valid gorilla permit to be allowed to trek gorillas. Actually, a gorilla permit is a pass to see gorillas without which you won’t be allowed to trek these endangered species. The cost of gorilla permits in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo varies as set by the respective government bodies. A single Rwanda gorilla permit costs $1500, while in Uganda it costs $600 to be increased to $700 with effect from 1st July 2020 while a Congo gorilla permit costs $450 which makes it the best gorilla tour destination for budget travelers. Gorilla permits booking is recommended at least 6 months in advance for timely planning.

Physical fitness

Mountain gorilla trekking require physically fit travelers able to hike up and downhills. Trekking time to see gorillas at a time can go for over 7 hours, which becomes a challenge for the physically unfit. Before confirming a gorilla trip, therefore, make sure you are physically fit and in good shape.

What about the elderly

Yes, seniors aged 60 years and above also have a chance and right to trek gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. African Apes Tours offers suitable gorilla safari packages for the seniors and elderly travelers enabling to enjoy the magical gorilla encounter before they die. Seniors are normally given short gorilla treks or else carried in a sedan chair.

Confirming the gorilla trekking age limit is very essential in every gorilla tour booking. If you are traveling as a family with children, make sure all children are aged 15 years and above before buying their gorilla permits. Contact African Apes Tours & Travel for more advice about gorilla trekking, what to carry, when to visit and the gorilla tour costs in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo.

Despite the tentative suspension of gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo threatened by the deadly corona virus, there is hope for the reopening of gorilla trekking activities in Africa in the near future. Apparently, there are no travelers coming to see gorillas in Bwindi Forest and the Virunga Conservation Area. Starting with March 2020, all gorilla national parks in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo were closed to tourism to prevent the spread of the deadly corona virus to the endangered mountain gorillas. Travelers who had booked gorilla trips in this lockdown were asked to postpone till further notice. Fortunately, Uganda Wildlife Authority has relaxed its gorilla trekking permit policies to allow travel operators and travelers survive in this trying time. UWA is allowing rescheduling of gorilla permits up to 2 years without any penalty.

Why were gorilla parks closed?
Mountain gorillas share over 99% of human genes, which make them our close relatives. Therefore, the close relativeness between gorillas and human beings make them susceptible to human illnesses of which corona virus is among. Mountain gorillas are endangered primate species, which were once on the verge of extinction. Today, the whole world shelters 1006 mountain gorillas which live in the Virunga Massif and Bwindi Forest National Park.

Why trek gorillas in Uganda after Corona Virus?
Uganda is your suitable gorilla safari destination after Corona Virus. The affordable costs of Uganda gorilla safaris are a reason why you should visit gorillas in Uganda. It’s obvious that most people will have no money after the pandemic and will be travelling on Budget. Uganda gorilla permit costs $700 for foreign nonresidents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for east African residents which is more affordable compared to Rwanda @$1500 for a singe gorilla permit. African Apes Holidays help you arrange a tailor-made Uganda gorilla tour to Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks at affordable rates to suit your travel budget.

How safe will Uganda be for Post Covid19 gorilla safaris?
Since the outbreak of the deadly virus, Uganda has steadily dealt with it. For 2 months now, the Uganda ministry of health has registered 79 corona virus cases 52 of which have recovered and no death reported. Fortunately, all communities of Uganda are now Corona Virus free. The active cases are those who have come from outside and truck drivers who cross borders from the neighboring affected countries. All people still admitted are in good health and will be discharged soon. Therefore the steady recovery of Uganda from Covid19 give hope for a virus free country in the shortest time soon. The country has been in lockdown for the last 2 months, which has yielded good results.

Kigali to Bwindi/Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking
Are you worried of the distance from Entebbe/Kamala to Bwindi Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks? No worries, African Apes Holidays runs Kigali to Bwindi Gorilla trekking tours. In this trip, travelers are fly into Kigali Rwanda and cross via Cyanika or Katuna border into Uganda. The drive time from Kigali to Bwindi/Mgahinga is roughly 5 hours, which is quick, compared to a full day of driving from Kampala/Entebbe airport. The initiation of Rwanda Uganda gorilla safaris gives short time travelers a chance to visit gorillas. Book a 1-Day Uganda gorilla tour from Kigali with African Apes Holidays and get to see gorillas in the shortest time possible. A 1-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trek from Kigali starts at 3:30 am to catch-up with a pre gorilla trekking briefing at 7:00 am. After seeing the gorillas, travelers drive back to Kigali to catch up with their return flights.

Safety measures of post covid19 Uganda gorilla trekking
After the defeat of the deadly Virus, gorilla trekking in Uganda will resume to operate normally. However, the following safety measures for the wellbeing of the endangered gorillas and travelers are emphasized. These include:
1. Do not trek gorillas when sick or with any sign of flu or cold
2. Keep a distance of seven meters and more from the endangered gorillas
3. Wear a face mask
4. Do not touch the gorillas
5. Avoid direct eye contact with the gorillas. It makes frightened
6. Turn back your faces when sneezing or coughing
7. Do not use flashlight cameras

Are there some safaris running in Uganda as of now?
As of 29th April 2020, all Uganda safaris for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tours, and bird watching and game safaris are temporarily suspended. All movements by public and private means have been restricted to prevent chances of spreading the virus from one place to another. However, travelers and all wildlife lovers are assured of the reopening of all national parks in Uganda in a short time to come.

Conclusively, get ready and prepare for your postcoivid19 gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Gorilla National Parks will be reopened soon to allow normal gorilla encounters for a lifetime experience.

Rwanda’s Hirwa gorilla family that had crossed to Uganda has returned to Volcanoes National park. Having lived in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for 8 months, Hirwa gorilla family was spotted in Volcanoes National Park on 15th April 2020. Rwanda gorilla trackers who were performing their daily duties of monitoring gorilla’s wellbeing in the national Park saw the gorilla family. The return of Hirwa gorilla family brought joy to Rwanda gorilla overs. Having confirmed the news of the return, Rwanda Development Board wrote a notice informing the general public about the return f the lost gorilla. Hirwa gorilla family was first sited in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park on 28th August 2019. For the last 8 months, Hirwa gorilla group has been trekked from Uganda at a cost of $700 as put by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. However, the two governments (Rwanda and Uganda) have been sharing equally the revenue collected from the sale of gorilla permits belonging to Hirwa family.

The stay of Hirwa group in Mgahinga Park
For the last 8 months, Hirwa gorilla family has been peacefully living in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The family had crossed to Uganda with 17 gorilla members. Unfortunately, 4 members were struck by lightening in February 2020, two other members died of intestinal obstruction while the infant baby that was born from Uganda in January 2020 died of the respiratory infection. Having lost her 6 embers, Hirwa gorilla family returned to Rwanda with 11 members.

Why do mountain gorillas move from one place to another?
Mountain gorillas are wandering creatures, which keep moving from one place to another within the same territory (National Park). The major reason for the continuous movements is search for fresh foods. a gorilla family cannot sleep in the same next for 2 nights. At the start each day, a gorilla family led by the silverback gorilla leaves the nest and moves to another location where it spends a night. In rare cases, gorillas cross from one national park to another in the neighborhood. This is so common especially in the Virunga conservation area where gorilla national Parks share borders. The Virunga Massif is shared by Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Another reason for the movement of gorillas is inter group competition for food as well as interactions between various gorilla families.

Gorilla Families in Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda has a total of 10 habituated gorilla families available for trekking everyday. The gorilla groups in Rwanda are:
1. Susa A Family
2. Karisimbi Gorilla Family
3. Amahoro gorilla group
4. Kwitonda gorilla family
5. Agashya gorilla group
6. Ugenda gorilla group
7. Titus gorilla family
8. Hirwa gorilla family
9. Sabyinyo gorilla family
10. Bwengye Gorilla Family
Each gorilla family is visited b a group of eight travelers everyday for an hour. All gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park start at Kinigi Park headquarters after registration and briefing.

Gorilla addons in Volcanoes National Park
Besides gorilla trekking, travelers to Volcanoes National park have a variety of wonderful tourist activities to do. Among other things to see and do in Volcanoes National Park include:
• Golden Monkey Trekking
• Dian Fossey Graveyard hike
• Nature/forest walks
• Mt Karisimbi and Mt Bisoke hiking
• Visiting Musanze caves
• Visiting the twin lakes of Burera and Buhondo
• Bird watching
• Community Visits
A combination of these make a complete Rwanda safari package to meet, satisfy and exceed you travel expectations.

Postcovid gorilla Safaris in Africa
Apparently, all gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are on suspension. Gorilla National Parks were closed to prevent the spread of the deadly corona Virus to the endangered mountain gorillas. However, travelers are reminded that gorilla trekking in Africa will resume soon after the defeat of Covid 19 in Africa. Those who had booked their gorilla trips earlier are humbly asked not to cancel but rather to postpone the trip to save gorilla tourism in Africa. African Apes Tours  helps you book and arrange tailored gorilla trips to Bwindi Forest, Mgahinga, Volcanoes and Virunga National Parks at affordable rates.

Where to Sleep in Volcanoes National Park
About gorilla lodges/accommodation in Volcanoes National Park, travelers have a wide selection. A variety of budget, luxury and midrange lodges have been constructed to serve you with excellent food and sleeping services all day and nights at affordable rates. The top lodges in Volcanoes National Park include:
1. Bisate Lodge
2. Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
3. Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
4. Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
5. Virunga Lodge
6. Kingi Guest House
7. Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
8. Virunga Hotel
9. Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
10. Mountain Gorilla s Nest Lodge
11. Home Inn
12. Villa Lodge
13. Jack Hannah’s Cottages
African Apes Holidays help you to book and reserve accommodation on your gorilla safari to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.

Conclusively, the return to Hirwa gorilla family to Volcanoes national Park was of great joy for Rwanda travel operators, tourists and the whole tourism fraternity.

Also known as CHEX, chimpanzee habituation experience is a full day hands-on experience with wild chimpanzees in the jungle and its one of the most amazing experiences in life.  Spending an entire day with the chimps, from locating them via their pant hoots in the morning to them nesting at night is a magical experience you should not miss on your Uganda safaris.   Chimpanzee habituation experience is an experimental process of training wild chimpanzees to get accustomed to people around them. The experience is the advanced or extended time with the man’s close relatives. Travelers spend a full day learning, training, taming and enjoying the company of their close relatives.

The Kanyanchu Visitor Center is ground is a starting  point for habituation and all other activities in Kibale Forest National park. The chimpanzee habituation permit  is required for the experience in Uganda and you are reminded to book in advance especially in the peak season when demand is so high. for chimp tracking in Uganda, arranged in advance by your tour operator.  At the Visitor Center, you’ll be placed into small groups, assigned a Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) guide, and given a short briefing.

What is the Difference between CHEX and chimpanzee trekking

Whereas the two experiences are related, the two are different in some way. Chimpanzee habituation experience is the first step in which chimps are tamed ad trained to make them ready for trekking while chimpanzee trekking is the actual encounter with the already habituated chimpanzees. Moreso, chimpanzee habituation is a full day encounter while trekking is restricted to an hour. CHEX is, therefore, an extended version of chimpanzee trekking. 8 people are allowed in chimpanzee trekking while only 4 are allowed in habituation experience.

Where to do Chimpanzee habituation experience

Kibale Forest National Park is the Centre of chimpanzee habituation experience. Actually it’s the only place where travelers can do this magical experience in the whole of Uganda and East Africa. Chimpanzee habituation experience is one of the popular tourist activities in Kibale Forest that no traveler should miss. Kibale Forest National Park is a primate capital in Africa sheltering 13 primates including the famous chimpanzees. The tropical rain forest is home to over 5000 chimpanzees making it the best place to see these primates. The experience starts at Kanyanchu information Centre

How is the day of CHEX like?

The day of chimpanzee habituation experience starts as early as 6:00 am. Travelers are required to wake up very early, have breakfast at their lodges and with packed lunch transfer to Kanyanchu Information Centre for registration and briefing. At around 6:00 am, the hike starts. Travelers are guided to where chimpanzees spent the previous night to catch up with them waking up. The reason for early rising is to start off the day with chimpanzees from the time they wake up so as not to miss any of their activities, you will enjoy them wake up, feed, copulate, hunt and leave their nests for the day activities. Follow their movements throughout the day, learn more about their lifestyles and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.

Cost of Chimpanzee Habituation experience

A single permit for chimpanzee habituation experience costs $220 for foreign non-residents, $150 for foreign residents and $75 for East African residents. Chimpanzee permit booking is required as early as 4 months in advance for timely and proper planning. Booking can be done directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority or through African Apes Holidays, the ultimate Uganda safari company.

What to pack for CHEX?

The fact that it’s a full day spent in the jungle, travelers are reminded to pack the right attire to avoid disappointments and difficulties in trekking. The experience is not walking away but rather adventurous and quite challenging for the faint-hearted. The packing list for chimpanzee habituation experience include:
1. Hiking boots/shoes
2. Gardening gloves
3. Sunglasses
4. Hat
5. Rain jacket
6. Long-sleeved shirts/blouses
7. Long pants
8. First aid kit
9. Scarf and sweaters
10. Bottled drinking water
11. Energy giving snacks
Reminder: A walking stick and porter are highly recommended for a more enjoyable and less difficult chimpanzee habituation experience.

Rules and Regulations of chimpanzee habituation experience

Like in trekking, chimpanzee habituation experience has guidelines that all participants must follow. The rules and regulations of chimpanzee habituation experience are put by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to ensure the safety of travelers and these endangered species. These include:
1. Keep a distance of seven meters from the chimpanzees
2. Keep your voices low
3. Do not litter in the park
4. Do not use flashlight cameras
5. Do not trek when sick
6. Keep within your group, walking alone in the jungle exposes you to risks of wild animals

Other activities to do in Kibale Forest National Park

Besides chimpanzee habituation experience, Kibale Forest National Park is a Centre of many more tourist activities which include:
• Chimpanzee trekking
• Colobus trekking
• Bird watching
• Bigodi wetland Sanctuary walk
• Forest/Nature walk
• Community visits

Other places to trek chimps in Uganda
The other chimpanzee tour destinations in Uganda include Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park and Kalinzu Forest. The trekking experience in each destination is different and exceptional and so as the prices.

People also ask

How much is chimpanzee habituation in Uganda?

The cost of chimpanzee habituation in Uganda is $300 for foreign non residents and $250 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens.  Chimpanzee habituation permit was hiked  from 1st July 2024 to June 2026. All permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority on  first come first serve basis.

What are the top interesting facts about chimpanzees?

• Chimpanzees have several interesting facts about them. These include:
• Chimpanzees share between 95 to 98% of human genes which make them man’s close relatives
• Chimpanzees are omnivorous
• Chimpanzees live in communities
• Each chimpanzee community is headed by an alpha Male
• Chimpanzees can learn human sign languages
• Wild chimpanzees are only found in Africa
• Female chimpanzees give birth once every five years
• Chimpanzees are the only primates known to use tools

How much stronger is a chimpanzee than human?

An adult male chimpanzee is estimated to be five time stronger than a strong man. They are among the strong  primates living in the wild.

Are chimpanzees aggressive?

YES, chimpanzees are aggressive especially when annoyed. whereas the chimpanzees are habituated, they remain wild animals which behave aggressively towards anything and anyone they see as a  threat. Travelers are always reminded  to follows the rules while visiting chimpanzees to avoid any mistake that can cause the endangered primates to behave wild.

What to do when a chimpanzee attacks you?

In rare cases when a traveler is attacked by a chimpanzee he or she is advised to lie low and step back. Do not dare  to run because this encourages the chimps to run after you. Avoid anything that can cause chimpanzees to attack you forexample touching the little ones or looking direct into their eyes.

Conclusively, chimpanzee habituation experience is a lifetime experience you ought to enjoy. Book a Uganda primates tour to Kibale Forest National Park and be part of the full day chimpanzee habituation experience with Superfine Safaris Limited

Is it safe to trek gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo? Yes, gorilla trekking in Africa is safe and done peacefully with no threat. Whereas the safety of gorilla trekking has remained an often asked question for mots travelers booking gorilla safaris in Africa, we assure you that the experience is safe and undisturbed. Yes, all governments have put measures to ensure safety in gorilla trekking for both the endangered gorillas and travelers. In both countries, a joint security force of tourism police, military, and armed park rangers work tirelessly to patrol the gorilla parks and monitor gorilla trekking sessions to ensure no threat or harm caused. Apparently, gorilla safaris in Africa are the major source of foreign exchange earning for Uganda, Rwanda Congo. The sale of gorilla permits at $1500 in Rwanda, $700 in Uganda and $450 in Congo bring in huge sums of money for these mountain gorilla countries. African Apes Tours  brings you the assurance about the safety of gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. How is gorilla trekking safety guaranteed in Africa?

Gorilla Habituation experience
Yes, all-mountain gorillas undergo a 2-3 years’ habituation/training experience before they are opened for trekking. In this training, gorillas get used to human presence and tamed not to be wild when they see people. Gorillas are therefore friendly to human beings unless they are disturbed. No gorilla family is opened for trekking without undergoing a gorilla habituation experience. Each day of the 3 years’ gorilla habituation experience time, a team of conservationists, park rangers, researchers and gorilla doctors visit a gorilla family undergoing training. Apparently, 2 gorilla families namely Bushaho and Bikingyi are being habituated in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Forest National park. Therefore, the training process that tame gorillas to get used with people assures safety

Tourism Police and Patrol
All governments in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo have trained and deployed tourism police in gorilla national parks of Bwindi Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla, Volcanoes and Virunga National parks. Tourism police patrols through the park every day and night to fight rebel groups and poachers especially in Congo hence ensuring the safety of gorillas and travelers. Some portion of the revenue earned from the sale of gorilla permits in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo is used to facilitate tourism police in gorilla parks. Tourism police camps deep in the jungle for close monitoring and patrol of gorilla parks

The pre gorilla trekking briefing
Ensure you attend the pre gorilla trekking briefing. At the start of each gorilla trekking experience in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, travelers gather at respective gorilla park headquarters for a briefing about the safety precautions, dos, and don’ts while with the gorillas. The rules and regulations of gorilla trekking are put to ensure a peaceful gorilla trek which promotes sustainable gorilla tourism in Africa. Among the safety precautions of gorilla trekking include:
1. Do not trek gorillas when sick to avoid the transmission of human-wildlife diseases which can be harmful to the endangered gorillas
2. Avoid direct eye contact with gorillas. It makes them uncomfortable and unsafe which results in charging
3. Do not use flashlight cameras which terrifies the gorillas
4. Keep a distance of seven meters away from gorillas to avoid close contact
5. Do not litter in the park, leave only the footsteps
6. Do not shout in the presence of gorillas, keep your voices low

Early morning gorilla tracking
Yes, very early in the morning, a group of park rangers hike into the park to check and confirm the whereabouts of mountain gorillas and how safe they any. These people also check all routes to be used by travelers during trekking to ensure that travelers find no harm during the trek. On finding the gorillas, the trackers call back at the park headquarters alerting the coming trekking group on where to pass. In case of any broken bridges and impassable routes, trackers inform travelers to use optional routes to ensure safety.

Armed Rangers
Each group of 8 travelers is given 2 armed park rangers when going to meet the gorillas. One ranger leads the group to show them away while the other one moves behind the group to ensure no traveler is left behind. The rangers are armed with guns, pangas, and other machetes to protect travelers in case of any threat while in the jungle. Park rangers are trained never to shoot a wild animal but rather shoot in the air to scare the strange animals away. Trekking along armed rangers assure travelers safety in the jungle. Due to insecurities in Virunga National Park, Park rangers are entitled to escort travelers back to their respective lodges at the end of the gorilla trek or any other activity in the Park. Travelers going for Congo gorilla safaris in Virunga National park MUST, therefore, spend 2 nights in the park to avoid departing and arriving during unsafe hours (very early in the morning or late at night).

Safety at the lodges
Travelers are also assured of safety at all gorilla lodges in Bwindi Forest, Mgahinga, Volcanoes, and Virunga National Park. For all gorilla trekking years, there has never been an attack on travelers at any lodge or camp in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Lodges are enclosed with a checking entry and exit points to check who enters and who leaves the lodge, for what purpose and at what time. Armed security guards continuously move around all corners of gorilla lodges to ensure tight security and safety of travelers during their stay. Any person with unclear reasons will not be allowed to access lodge premises. Regarding the safety of the traveler’s properties, it’s a sure deal. All lodge rooms have safety boxes to keep traveler’s essentials such as phones, laptops, and even money. Alternatively, travelers can keep their properties with the hotel staff especially the manager.

Where do gorillas live in Africa?
Wondering where to go for gorilla trekking in Africa? Mountain gorillas in Africa live in two destinations which are Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park and the Virunga Conservation Area shared by Volcanoes Park in Rwanda, Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Any traveler who wants to trek gorillas in Africa must, therefore, visit any one of the four gorilla national Parks. The world today is home to 1006 mountain gorillas half of which live in Uganda.

With all the above put in place, gorilla trekking is safe in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo with African Apes Tours & Travel

Rhino tracking is one of the must-do safari activities on your Uganda game safaris to western and northwestern Uganda. Located in Nakassongola district, en route to Murchison Falls National Park, Rhino tracking is an experimental experience that gives you a chance to trek and meet the once extinct rhinos in Uganda. Most travelers on Uganda game safaris to Murchison Falls National Park add rhino tracking to make it a complete “big five game” in Uganda. YES, rhinos at Zziwa sanctuary adds to the big four-game “elephants, lions, Buffalos and hippos” in other game parks of Uganda especially Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Uganda lost most of her rhinos in 1970s especially to poaching and conflicts in game parks at that time. Rhinos were the most hunted wild animals for horns which are used to make numerous precious products such as bracelets, necklaces, and watches that are highly-priced in the black market. Rhinos got almost extinct in all game parks of Uganda, Murchison falls, and Kidepo Valley National Park and Uganda seized to be home to the big five games. Apparently, the number of rhinos at Zziwa sanctuary count to over 25 rhinos. In the near future, Uganda Wildlife Authority has plans of transferring some rhinos back into the national parks of Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National park to promote rhino tracking safaris all over the country. Depending on your available time, you can do a 1 Day rhino tracking tour with an early pickup from Kampala and late drop off or else do an extended Uganda game safari including rhino tracking and a visit to Murchison Falls National Park.

Formation of the Zziwa Rhino sanctuary

Having realized the need to reintroduce rhinos back into the wilderness, the Rhino Fund Uganda was established in 2005. Uganda Wildlife Authority garzetted 70 square kilometers of land in Nakasongola and named it Zziwa Rhino sanctuary to provide habitat for the newly introduced rhinos and promote rhino tracking in the Pearl of Africa. Uganda received a donation of 6 rhinos, 2 from Disney World and 4 from Kenya and that was a new start of rhino tracking safaris in Uganda.

Cost of Rhino tracking at Zziwa Sanctuary

Just like all other activities in Uganda, Rhino tracking at Zziwa sanctuary calls for payment. The cost of trekking rhinos at Zziwa ranch is categorized into adults and children based on their residences. Rhino tracking in Uganda costs $50 for foreign adult nonresidents, $40 for East African residents and UGX 30,000 for Ugandans, $25 for foreign nonresident children, $20 for resident children and UGX 10,000 for Ugandan children. All bookings are done directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or African Apes Holidays your number one travel company in Uganda. Booking is required some time in advance to ensure timely planning and to avoid last-minute disappointments.

What to pack for Rhino tracking at Zziwa Sanctuary?

Whereas trekking rhinos at Zziwa sanctuary is not as strenuous as gorilla trekking or chimpanzee safaris, the experience itself is not a walk away. Travelers have got to walk for between 2-3 hours in search of the rhinos. This requires you to pack and dress right for the jungle to avoid difficulty. Among the things to pack for rhino tracking at Zziwa sanctuary include hiking boots/shoes, gardening gloves, long pants, sunglasses, energy-giving snacks, bottled drinking water, long-sleeved shirts/blouses and also carry a walking stick.

Other activities to do at Zziwa Rhino sanctuary

Besides rhino tracing, travelers to Zziwa sanctuary have a list of other tourist activities to do to make a complete package.
• Bird watching: For birders, Zziwa Rhino sanctuary is home to over 200 bird species hence the best place for bird watching. Among the birds at Zziwa sanctuary include African Fish Eagle, African Black Crake, Brown Backed Shrub Robin, African Citril, Brown Parot, White Crested Turaco and African Crowned Eagle among others.
• Nature/Forest Walks: Yes, Zziwa Rhino sanctuary is best for a guided forest/nature to walk to enjoy and embrace the beautiful green environment and natural bushes. The nature walk is the best time to explore this sanctuary on foot, spot some medicinal herbs and plant species in this sanctuary. A nature walk also gives you chance to meet and see other wildlife species at the sanctuary such as Vervet monkeys, pythons, Lizards, black and white colobus, Mangoose, Oribis, Hartbeest, Grey duiker and bushbucks among others.
• Night walks: You can also opt for night walks in Zziwa sanctuary to feel and enjoy the quiet and cold nightlife at the sanctuary. Night nature walks cost $30 lasting for roughly 3 hours.

Rules and Regulations of Rhino Tracking at Zziwa Sanctuary

At the start of the trekking day, travelers gather at the head office for briefing and guide on Rhino tracking. These include:
1. Do not litter in the sanctuary, leave only the footsteps
2. Do not shout at the rhinos; speak on a low tone
3. Do not feed/touch the Rhinos
4. Keep within your group/ do not loiter alone in the bush
5. Keep a distance from the rhinos, they are wild animals
Rhino tracking at Zziwa Sanctuary should not miss on your bucket list to Uganda. Book today and get a chance to trek the once extinct species of rhinos in Uganda with African Apes Tours & Travel

Call it Batwa cultural trail or heritage, the experience is about visiting the indigenous Batwa pygmies to learn and experience their traditional forest life. Batwa cultural trail is an interesting activity you should not miss on your Uganda gorilla tour to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Uganda as a whole. The experience gives you a chance to interact with local Batwa pygmies and share more on how they lived peacefully with wild animals for thousands of years in the jungle forests of Bwindi forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. In most cases, Batwa cultural trail is done as a complement to mountain gorilla trekking to make a complete gorilla safari package in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. However, the experience can be done as an independent activity. For those who have a short time, Batwa cultural trail can be done starting from and ending in Kigali Rwanda. Here travelers fly into Kigali Rwanda and cross via Cyanika border to Kisoro and then drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National park. Batwa cultural trail was started in 2011 to diversify truism products in Uganda and encourage long stays especially in gorilla national parks of Mgahinga and Bwindi Forest National Parks. The money collected from the batwa cultural experience is used to support batwa livelihoods and improve their standards of living.

How is it done?
On the day of the Batwa cultural trail, travelers gather at the starting point. Batwa pygmies are the key guides in this experience. After the briefing, Batwa local guides lead the travelers into the forest to experience the actual traditional forest life of Batwa pygmies. Travelers take part in different forest activities as such as
1. Hunting
2. Fruit gathering
3. Visiting Ngarama cave where Batwa pygmies used to offer sacrifices and perform rituals
4. Picking medicinal herbs
5. Collecting honey
6. Traditional dances, songs and poems are also performed as a form of entertainment

The cost of Batwa cultural Trail
For those who want to partake in this cultural experience, Batwa trail costs $80 for all travelers. All travelers are required to have permits that they present to the park rangers at the start of the trek. All bookings ate done at Mgahinga Park headquarters or through Magical Africa Safaris, the ultimate gorilla safari company in Uganda. The cost of Batwa cultural trail is inclusive of park entrance fees, conservation fee rangers fee.

Other places to see Batwa pygmies
In addition to Mgahinga a Gorilla National Park, Batwa cultural visits can also be done in Bwindi Forest National Park at a cost of $40 inclusive of the park entrance fee and in Semliki National park cost at a cost of $10 exclusive of park entrance fee. Magical Africa Safaris helps you arrange Batwa cultural experiences in your desired destination at affordable rates.

Add on activities to Batwa cultural trail
There are numerous tourist activities travelers can add on their Batwa cultural experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and other batwa destinations in Uganda. The popular activities to do along Batwa cultural trail include:
• Mountain gorilla trekking
Yes, batwa cultural trail in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is done along with gorilla trekking. Mgahinga National park is one of the four national parks that shelter the endangered mountain gorillas. The national park is home to the one and only Nyakagyezi gorilla family available for trekking every day. Apparently, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also sheltering Rwanda’s Hirwa gorilla family which migrated from Volcanoes National Park and is now under the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority. The money collected from the sale of Hirwa gorilla permits is shared between UWA and RDB. Gorilla trekking in Uganda costs $700 for foreign nonresidents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African residents.

• Volcano climbing
Mgahinga Gorilla National park is home to three distinct volcanoes hence the best place for volcano climbing. The volcanoes in Mgahinga forest is Mt Mgahinga, Mt Sabyinyo and Mt Sabyinyo. The three volcanoes are part of the chain of 8 Virunga Volcanoes in the Virunga Conservation area. A hike at the summit of any volcano gives you clear views of other Virungas in Rwanda and Congo, gorilla parks and local communities adjacent to the parks.

• Bird watching
Mgahinga Gorilla National park is home to over 200 bird species hence the best bird-watching spot in Uganda. Travelers on Batwa cultural trail can, therefore, add on bird watching to make the safari more fun and enjoyable. The birds in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park include African Paradise Flycatcher, Black kit, Cape Robin Chat, Speckled Mousebird, Pin-tailed whydah, Alpine swift and blue headed coucal among others. Bird watching in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is best done from April to Mid-May and October to November. However, birding can be done all year round.

• Forest/Natural Walks
Yes, explore and enjoy the quiet, calm and natural ambiance of Mgahinga Gorilla National park on your Uganda safari to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Walking on foot in the forest is the chance to discover all hidden treasures of the forest while enjoying the sweet melodies of birds up in the trees. A nature walk also gives you a chance to meet some wild animals, birds and plant species in the forest. Walks lead you to different attractions such as waterfalls among others.

• Caldera Walk
You can also join a caldera walk-in Mgahinga communities to experience this natural wonder.
In conclusion, therefore, Batwa cultural trail is an interesting activity to do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Contact African Apes Tours today, visit Batwa pygmies and learn about their traditional forest lives in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Located in southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Rushaga sector is one of the four regions that shelter mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest. Rushaga sector is easily accessed from Kisoro district hence the nearest gorilla region for those trekking Uganda gorillas from Kigali Rwanda. With an increase of Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking, Rushaga sector has apparently become the most visited gorilla region in Bwindi Forest. Often times, potential travelers inquiring about gorilla safaris in Bwindi forest have asked why should one trek gorillas in Rushaga sector. Are you wondering why you should trek gorillas in Rushaga sector? Yes, there are many reasons as to why Rushaga sector outcompetes other gorilla regions in terms of tourist arrivals. Whereas each gorilla region offers a different magical mountain gorilla encounter, African Apes Tours brings you reasons why you should trek gorillas in Rushaga sector. These include among others:

High number of gorilla families and permits
Yes, Rushaga sector is home to the highest number of habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park. Rushaga is home to five gorilla groups namely Nshongi family, Kahungye family, Bweza group, Mishaya family and Busingye gorilla family. The high number of gorillas guarantee travelers availability of gorilla permits giving high number of travelers a chance to trek gorillas unlike in other gorilla regions especially Buhoma where gorilla permits sell out easily. Each gorilla family is visited by eight people hence 40 permits available each day.

Gorilla Habituation experience
In addition to gorilla trekking, Rushaga sector is a center of gorilla habituation experience. This experience is all about training and familiarization of wild mountain gorillas to the presence of people before they are officially opened for trekking. Apparently, two gorilla families namely Bushaho and Bikyingi groups are undergoing habituation experience. Unlike in gorilla trekking where 8 people visit a gorilla family, only 4 people are allowed to visit a gorilla family in the habituation experience. Travelers in gorilla habituation experience have a chance of spending extended time (four hours) with gorillas hence the best opportunity to learn and enjoy the company of these endangered species. A single gorilla habituation experience permit costs $1500 but the magical feeling associated with this experience is worth the money. Rushaga is the only gorilla sector where habituation experience takes place. This means that everyone who wants to take part in this memorable experience must visit Rushaga sector.

Easy access from Kigali Rwanda
The drive time from Kigali Rwanda to Rushaga sector is roughly 4 hours hence the nearest gorilla region for those who want to Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking. Travelers from Kigali to Rushaga cross through Cyanika border in Kisoro district. Its undeniable that most Uganda gorilla safaris starting from Kigali are done in Rushaga sector due to the nearness of the region to Rwanda. More still, the region is the best place for those doing a 1 Day Uganda gorilla tour starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. Here travelers leave Kigali Rwanda at 3:00 am, drive for four hours to attend a gorilla briefing at Rushaga Park headquarters at 7:00 am. At the end of the trek, travelers are driven back to Kigali for their connecting flights.

Availability of Accommodation Facilities
Yes, Rushaga is known to have an endless list of luxury, mid-range and budget lodges, camps and hotels to offer you excellent food and sleeping services at reasonable prices. The availability of lodging facilities in Rushaga sector saves travelers the hustles and stresses of long-distance hours to and from the trek. Fortunately, most lodges in Rushaga sector are located near park headquarters which make it easy for travelers when going for registration and pre gorilla trekking briefing at the start of the trekking day. The top lodges and camps in Rushaga sector include:
1. Gorilla Safari Lodge
2. Gorilla Valley Lodge
3. Ichumbi Lodge
4. Lake Mutanda Resort
5. Chameleon Hill Lodge
6. Rushaga Gorilla Camp
A team of professionals, kind and welcoming waiters, waitresses, managers, chefs and housekeepers awaits you on all lodges to ensure a safe and comfortable stay on your Uganda gorilla safari to Rushaga sector.

Other gorilla regions in Bwindi Forest
Besides the Rushaga sector, mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park further live in three more regions. These include the Buhoma sector in the northern region of Bwindi Forest and home to Mubare gorilla family, the Rushegura gorilla family, the Habinyanja gorilla group and Katwe gorilla family. Ruhija sector in the eastern region of Bwindi Forest is a shelter for gorilla families such as the Oruzogo family, Kyaguliro group and Butukura gorilla family. The other gorilla region in Bwindi Forest is Nkuringo in the southern region and home to Nkuringo gorilla family and Christmas family.

How to book Uganda gorilla safaris to Rushaga sector?
African Apes Holidays is at your service to book and reserve Uganda gorilla safaris to Rushaga sector. Yes, we help you book and reserve gorilla permits, gorilla lodges/hotels and make a customized gorilla itinerary to suit your time and budget. Alternatively, you can book Uganda gorilla permits through Uganda Wildlife Authority, a government body responsible for gorilla tourism and wildlife conservation in Uganda.
In general, Rushaga gorilla region is best gorilla sector to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The high number of gorilla families, easy access from Kigali, availability of permits, availability of accommodation facilities make Rushaga the best gorilla region in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park.

Kigali to Uganda safaris have presently become common unlike in the past. Yes, most travelers today prefer flying into Kigali Rwanda and driving to Uganda for tourism. Whereas most travelers focus on Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking, there are many more travel activities to d in Uganda starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. The drive time from Kigali to Uganda is roughly 5 hours via the Cyanika border in Kisoro district and Kihihi border in Kabale District. At times, travelers have asked which travel activities one can do in Uganda starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. African Apes Tours brings you Uganda tourist activities to do starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. These include:

Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Following the double increase of Rwanda gorilla permits from $750 to $1500, Uganda became a center of gorilla tours in Africa. Yes, Uganda is apparently the most visited gorilla safari destination in Africa which receives the highest number of travelers from all over the world. Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking entails flying into Kigali airport and trekking in Bwindi Forest/Mgahinga Gorilla National parks in southwestern Uganda. For short tike travelers, you can a 1 Day Uganda gorilla tour starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. This trip starts at 3” 00 am with a pick up from Kigali and a 5 hours’ drive to Bwindi to catch up with a pre gorilla trekking briefing at the respective gorilla park headquarters in Uganda. After the gorilla trek, travelers are driven back to Kigali for the return flights. Uganda gorilla permits cost $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens.

Golden Monkey Trekking
Yes, fly into Kigali Rwanda and trek Uganda’s golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Travelers are picked up from Kigali and drive to Mgahinga Gorilla park through the Cyanika border in Kisoro district. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to over 5000 golden monkeys hence the best destination to see these endangered species. A golden monkey trekking permit costs $100 inclusive of the park entrance fee, conservation, and rangers fee.

Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience
Enjoy the experimental gorilla habituation experience in the Rushaga sector south of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Part starting from Kigali Rwanda. Gorilla Habituation is the training and familiarization of wild gorillas to the presence of people before they are introduced for trekking. The experience allows travelers to spend four hours in the company of gorillas which gives them ample time to learn and enjoy the human-like characters of gorillas. A gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 but the magical experience is worth it. African Apes Tours & Travel is at your service to book and arrange a tailor-made gorilla habituation experience trip at affordable rates. A 1 Day gorilla habituation experience is possible with a pickup from Kigali at 3:00 am and drop-off at the end of the trek.

Batwa cultural trail
Visit and experience the traditional forest life of Batwa pygmies in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda with Magical Africa Safaris. The experience entails visiting Ngarama cave where Batwa pygmies used to perform rituals and offer sacrifices to their gods. Also, travelers take part in various Batwa’s indigenous activities such as fruit gathering, collecting honey, hunting and picking medicinal herbs among others. Also, a traditional performance is made to entertain travelers and introduce them to the traditions, norms, and beliefs of batwa pygmies. Batwa cultural trail costs $80 per person for a half-day encounter with traditional Batwa pygmies.

Boat Cruise on Lake Bunyonyi
Enjoy a cruise on Lake Bunyonyi, Africa’s second deepest Lake in southwestern Uganda. Lake Bunyonyi is roughly 2 hours drive from Kigali hence the nearest travel destination in Uganda from Rwanda. A cruise on Lake Bunyonyi is a chance to explore different islands of the lake which include Punishment island where Bakiga pregnant unmarried women would be taken and left to die in isolation. Other islands on Lake Bunyonyi include Bushara island, Bugara island, Bwama island and Bucuraniko island which means upside down. Other tourist activities to do around Lake Bunyonyi include blacksmith, community visits, bird watching, and zip-lining among others.

Game Viewing and launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth National park
Moreso, fly into Kigali Rwanda to do game viewing and lunch cruise in Queen Elizabeth, Uganda’s second-largest National Park after Murchison Falls National park. A transfer from Kigali to Queen Elizabeth is via Kabale to the Ishasha sector home to the famous tree-climbing lions. Enjoy game viewing in the open savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National park for excellent views of wild animals such as lions, elephants, buffalos, hippos, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs and impalas among others. Do not miss a launch cruise on Kazinga channel which connects Lakes Edward and George. The distance from Kigali to Queen Elizabeth National Park is roughly 5 hours’ drive via Kabale Mbarara Ishasha route. Other tourist activities in Queen Elizabeth National park include chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge and crater lake exploration.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest
You can also visit t trek chimpanzees in Kibale forest National park starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. Kibale forest is home to the highest number of chimpanzees in Uganda hence the best place for chimpanzee trekking and habituation experience. The distance from Kigali to Kibale Forest is roughly 7 hours via Kabala Mbarara Kasese road.

Volcano Hiking
Enjoy a hike to the summit of any Virunga Volcano i.e Mt Muhabura (13,540 ft), Mt Gahinga (11,394 ft) and Mt Sabyinyo (12,037 ft) in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. Both Volcanoes can be hiked in one day and a stand at any of the three summits offers you great views of other Virunga Volcanoes in Rwanda and Congo, Virunga conservation area and local communities.

In general, there are lots of tourist activities and attractions to see and do in Uganda starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. Contact African Apes Tours today, book your Rwanda Uganda safari for lifetime experiences.

The choice of accommodation  is one of the key determinants for a successful gorilla trekking safari in Africa.  Where to sleep is among the top things to consider  when planning  gorilla safari to Bwindi Forest.  Do you want  to book  luxury gorilla lodges or budget  lodges in Bwindi Forest, Superfine Safaris brings you detailed information on the top places to stay in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This article also describes midrange lodges in Bwindi Forest

YES, you ought to stay in a safe and comfortable lodge during your gorilla tour to Bwindi Forest National Park. Bwindi forest has a variety of lodges/accommodation facilities to serve travelers on Uganda gorilla tours with luxury, midrange and budget food and sleeping services. During gorilla safari bookings, travelers are given a list of lodges/camps and hotels in Bwindi Forest National Park to choose from.

The lodges in Bwindi are scattered in the four gorilla regions of the forest I.e Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south. The selection of which gorilla lodge to stay in Bwindi will depend on which gorilla region you are visiting and your budget. Ensure to book a lodge in the same gorilla sector you are trekking in. Lodge services are categorized as luxury, midrange, and budget.

The services and prices vary depending on the category service but all services in all lodges are excellent and worth the money. At Superfine Safaris Limited we bring you brings a full list of top lodges, camps and hotels in Bwindi Forest National Park to offer you a peaceful stay on your Uganda gorilla tour.

Gorilla Lodges in Buhoma sector

Located in the northern part of Bwindi Forest National Park, Buhoma sector is known to have the finest gorilla lodges in Bwindi Forest. All lodges are located a short distance to the park headquarters which ease connection when going for pre gorilla trekking briefing. There is a variety of budget, midrange and luxury gorilla lodges in Buhoma sector in which you can  choose from
The top lodges in Buhoma sector include
1. Mahogany Springs Lodge
2. Buhoma Lodge
3. Silverback Gorilla Lodge
4. Lake Kitandara Lodge
5. Bwindi Forest Lodge
6. Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
7. Crested Crane Bwindi Lodge
8. Engagi Lodge
9. Buhoma Community Camp

Top Lodges in Rushaga sector

Situated in the southern region of Bwindi Forest National Park, Rushaga is home to the highest number of gorilla families in Bwindi. Rushaga is also a center of gorilla habituation experience which give travelers chance to spend extended time with gorillas. For these doing Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking, Rushaga is the nearest sector from Kigali. The top gorilla lodges in Rushaga sector include:
1. Gorilla Safari Lodge
2. Rushaga gorilla camp
3. Wagtail Eco safari camp
4. Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
5. Gorilla Valley Lodge
6. Chameleons Hill Lodge
7. Bwindi Jungle Lodge
8. Lake Mutanda Resort

Lodges in Ruhija Sector

Ruhija sector is located in the eastern part of Bwindi Forest National Park. The full list of lodges in Ruhija sector include:
1. Bakiga Lodge
2. Agandi Lodge
3. Gorilla Mist Camp
4. Trekkers Tarven
5. Ruhija Community Camp

Lodges in Nkuringo Sector

Located in the southern region of Bwindi Forest, Nkuringo is one of the four gorilla regions in Bwindi Forest. Nkuringo offers you the very adventurous gorilla trekking tours due to its location on high altitude areas. The lodges in Nkuringo sector include:
1. Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
2. Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge
3. Nkuringo Gorilla Camp
4. Nkuringo Gorilla Campsite
5. Hammerkop Bank House

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest

Gorilla trekking is the most done tourist activity done in Bwindi Forest National Park. Over 99% of travelers to the Bwindi forest come to visit mountain gorillas. Bwindi Forest is home to the highest number of mountain gorillas in the whole world sheltering half of the world’s total population. Mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest have been habituated into 17 families split into four gorilla regions. The high number of gorillas in Bwindi Forest guarantees traveler’s availability of gorilla permits hence high chances of trekking. Gorilla groups in Bwindi Forest include:

Gorilla families in Buhoma sector

• Mubare gorilla family
• Rushegura gorilla group
• Habinyanja Gorilla family
• Katwe gorilla family

Gorilla families in Rushaga sector

• Nshongi gorilla family
• Mishaya Gorilla group
• Bweza gorilla family
• Kahungye gorilla group
• Busingye gorilla family
• Bikyingi gorilla family (undergoing habituation experience)
• Bushaho Gorilla Family (Undergoing Habituation experience)

Gorilla Families in Ruhija Sector

• Bitukura Gorilla Family
• Kyaguliro Gorilla group
• Oruzogo Gorilla family

Gorilla Families in Nkuringo Sector

• Nkuringo Gorilla Family
• Christmas gorilla family

NOTE: Each gorilla family is visited by 8 people a day for an hour’s interaction. Gorilla permit booking is recommended at least 5 months in advance to ensure timely planning and avoid last minute disappointments.

Other

Choose from the above listed top lodges in Bwindi Forest National Park for safe, comfortable and enjoyable food and sleeping services on your gorilla tour to Bwindi Forest National Park. Contact ,  Superfine Safaris Limited clarify your choice of accommodation and we shall book it for you at affordable rates.