Apes are the most visited wild animals in Africa that no traveler should miss on his/her African safari. YES, the great apes of Africa attract the highest number of travelers from all over the world. Most travelers planning African Apes Tours have often asked where is the best place o see gorillas, chimpanzees and other apes in Africa. Are you among the people who wonder where is the best place to see Apes? No worries, African Apes Tours & Travel has got you covered. We bring the full list of places to see apes in Africa and go a head to tailor make for you a suitable package to see and spend time with the endangered apes in their natural habitats. The magical feeling of looking direct into the eyes of the silverback gorillas, seeing chimpanzees live together in their communities make Ape safaris the best wildlife experiences in Africa.
Examples of Apes
Wondering the examples of the apes?, Well, Apes in Africa include mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, humans and Gibbon. Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are the most visited apes in Africa. Check the best places to see apes with African Apes Holidays:
Apes Tours in Uganda
Sheltering half of the world’s mountain gorillas, Uganda is the top apes safari destination in Africa and the whole world. The pearl of Africa is home to 19 habituated gorilla families 18 of which live in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park while 1 lives in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mountain gorilla trekking is the most done tourist activity in Uganda, which bring in the highest number of travelers into the country. A Uganda gorilla permit costs $700 for foreign nonresidents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for east African residents. More so, Uganda is the center of experimental gorilla habituation experience which gives travelers chance to take part in the training of wild gorillas making them get used to people. A gorilla habituation experience permit costs $1500 allowing travelers to spend four hours with the gorillas. Uganda gorilla safaris starts from Entebbe International airport with a full day drive to Bwindi Forest/Mgahinag Gorilla National Parks. Alternatively, you can fly into Kigali Rwanda and cross to Uganda via Katuna or Cyanika border to trek gorillas in Bwindi Forest. Kigali to Bwindi Gorilla trekking is the best option for travelers with limited time.
More so, Uganda is home to the highest population of chimpanzees in East Africa. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda takes place in Kibale Forest National Park, the primate capital of Africa. Other places to visit chimpanzees in Uganda include Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park. If you want to learn more about he chimpanzees, book a chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale Forest National Park.
Rwanda Apes Safaris
Rwanda ranks second best apes destination in Africa. Rwanda is second to Uganda in sheltering the highest number of mountain gorillas habituated in Volcanoes National Park. Since 2017, Rwanda transformed into a luxury gorilla safari destination following a double increase 0f Rwanda gorilla permits prices to $1500 each. Rwanda is home to 10 habituated gorilla families.
Do you want to visit the chimpanzees in Rwanda? Visit Nyungwe Forest National Park in southwestern Rwanda. A chimpanzee permit in Rwanda costs $100 valid for an hour.
Congo Gorillas & Apes Safari
If you want to have the off beaten Apes safari experience, then Congo is your ultimate apes destination. The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to the endangered mountain gorillas sheltered in Virunga National Park. A Congo gorilla safari also entails visiting the Eastern Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park. Congo is the least visited gorilla tour destination, which give travelers a less interrupted gorilla encounter. A Congo gorilla permit costs $45 hence the best option for budget travelers.
Chimpanzee trekking in Congo takes place in Mahura Forest, Lwiro Chimpanzee sanctuary, Virunga National park and Jeunes Animaux Confisques au Katanga.
Still in Congo, visit the LolaYa Bonobo to see the endangered bonobos feeding, resting and playing. Bonobos are the closest relatives to people compared to all other apes.
Cross-river Gorillas in Nigeria & Cameroon
Visit the Montane forests of Cameroon and Nigeria to trek the endangered Cross-river gorillas. Scientifically called Gorilla gorilla diehli, Cross River gorillas are a subspecies of the western gorillas. The gorilla specie is critically endangered with between 200 to 300 individuals left in the whole world. The major threats to the survival of cross-river gorillas are habitat loss, civil conflicts and poaching.
Other places to see Apes include Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola and Central African Republic
Guide to Ape safaris in Africa
Having known where to see Apes in Africa, start planning for your African Apes Holiday. Firstly, confirm the availability of permits based on which apes you are interested in visiting. Check with responsible government conservation bodies to confirm availability of permits. To make permit bookings easier, African Apes Tours does it for you. More so, confirm the availability of you desired accommodation for food and sleeping services. Your lodge/hotel/Camp should be near your trekking area. Physical exercises to ensure fitness. Trekking to see Apes in the jungle is an adventurous, tiresome and strenuous activity, which requires physical fitness. Also, ensure to pack the right attire for trekking. Your ape trekking packing list should include:
1. Hiking Boots/shoes to easily walk through the jungle
2. Gardening gloves to protect your hands
3. Rain jacket in case it rains
4. Sun glasses for your eyes
5. Hat for your head and hair for ladies
6. First aid Kit
7. Insect repellants
8. Energy giving snacks
9. Bottled drinking water
10. Long pants tucked into the boots
11. Scarf and warm sweaters
12. Long sleeved shirts & blouse
While with the apes, travelers are also reminded to follow the guidelines as put by conservation bodies in respective countries. Among the rules and regulations of apes trekking in Africa include:
• Keep a distance of at least 7 meters away from the apes to avoid the spread of human apes diseases
• Do not look direct into the eyes of the gorillas and other apes. It makes uncomfortable
• Do not use flashlight cameras. It terrifies them
• Do not touch the apes
• Keep your voices low
• Do not trek when sick. Apes are susceptible to human illnesses
• Do not litter in the park. Leave only the footsteps
African Apes Tours offers you the best encounter with gorillas, chimpanzees, Bonobos and other apes in the jungle forests of Africa. Contact us today, book your Apes Safari and enjoy the magical encounter.
