The Great Apes.

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The Great Apes

GORILLA & CHIMPANZEE TREKKING IN EAST AFRICA

Come face-to-face with Africa’s great apes in their forest, on their terms.

Tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda is one of the most powerful wildlife encounters on the continent. You hike through dense rainforest with experienced trackers, locate a habituated family, and spend one quiet, controlled hour in their presence.

Add chimpanzee trekking, and this becomes a layered primate journey, slower and grounded with gorillas, fast and vocal with chimps. Permits are limited. Access is regulated. This is deliberate, low-volume wildlife travel.
SPEAK TO AN EXPERT

UGANDA OR RWANDA - WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Rwanda

Uganda

Main location
Volcanoes National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Access
Easier access from Kigali (short transfers)
Longer drives, deeper wilderness feel
Terrain
Generally more open bamboo forest
Denser rainforest, steeper in parts
Permit cost
Higher
Lower
Experience style
More streamlined, luxury-focused
More rugged, immersive
Best for
Shorter trips, combining with Kenya/Tanzania
Guests wanting deeper forest atmosphere
Both destinations strictly limit daily permits and group sizes (maximum 8 guests per gorilla family).
We secure all permits and handle logistics in advance
WHAT MAKES THIS EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT

Unlike a traditional safari, this is a quieter, more immersive way of encountering wildlife.

You move on foot with trackers who read the forest. When you reach the gorillas, the energy shifts, calm, curious, controlled. Chimpanzee trekking adds contrast. It’s faster. Louder. Less predictable. A strong addition in Kibale (Uganda) or Nyungwe (Rwanda).

For many travellers, it becomes one of the most memorable and meaningful parts of the journey.

WHAT IT PAIRS WELL WITH

We structure the routing carefully - primates first, savannah wildlife after, or vice versa depending on season.
WHEN TO GO

Gorilla trekking operates year-round.

Best conditions:
June – September
December – February

Rain is possible at any time, this is rainforest, but trekking continues unless conditions are extreme.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How difficult is gorilla trekking?

A moderate level of fitness is recommended. Treks can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, depending on where the gorilla family is located on the day, with terrain ranging from forest paths to steeper, more uneven ground.

How long do you spend with the gorillas?

Once the gorillas are located, time with them is limited to one hour. This is strictly regulated to protect the animals and ensure a respectful, low-impact experience.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years old, in line with conservation guidelines.

Is it safe?

Yes. Treks are led by experienced guides and trackers, accompanied by armed rangers who are there to ensure safety throughout the experience.

How far in advance should we book?

Permits are limited and in high demand, particularly during peak seasons. We recommend booking at least 6–12 months in advance to secure availability.

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