Gorilla & Chimp Tracking

Experience the magic of encountering our closest relatives in their natural habitat.

Book Your Primate Adventure

Itinerary Overview

This tour is a 3-day adventure focused on tracking both chimpanzees and gorillas in Uganda, offering a rich primate experience. Explore ancient rainforests, encounter endangered species, and learn about the unique local cultures.

Gorilla Tracking in Uganda

Mountain Gorillas evolved with the rise of the volcanoes half a million years ago, adapting to the terrain by becoming larger than lowland gorillas and with thick fur. They are herbivores who sometimes eat ants and termites. Only around 782 mountain gorillas exist in the world, but the number is thankfully increasing. They can be visited in two national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Golden Monkeys, who share the same environment, are also endangered but much less researched. They spend much of their time in the bamboo Zone eating shoots. Mgahinga is the only place to see them in big numbers.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda

Tracking can be done in various forests in Uganda, including Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Budongo Forest. Kibale Forest National Park is reputed to have the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. The most famous of its 13 species is the Chimpanzee, our closest relative. Kibale's 1,450 chimpanzees represent Uganda's largest population of this endangered primate.

The Batwa Cultural Experience

The Batwa "pygmies" are one of the oldest peoples in Africa. They roamed the forests looking for fruits and honey, and hunted with bows and trained dogs. When you visit, there are recommended activities that showcase their history in the forest, involving customs and drama, such as the Batwa Experience at Buhoma and the Batwa Trails in Mgahinga.

Tracking Rules & Guidelines

  • Do not visit the gorillas if you have a cold or other infectious illness.
  • Maintain a 7-meter (21 ft) distance from the gorillas.
  • Visits are limited to one hour per gorilla group per day.
  • Smoking, eating, and drinking are not permitted.

  • You must not enter the forest if you are sick.
  • Keep at least 8 meters from the chimpanzees at all times.
  • Do not use flash photography.
  • Keep as quiet as possible in the forest.

Permit Costs

  • Gorilla Permit: USD $600 (Jan-Mar, Jun-Oct, Dec). Discounted to USD $450 in April, May, and November.
  • Chimp Permit: USD $150 for one hour. A full habituation experience is USD $220.
Book This Primate Adventure