Chimpanzee and Gorilla Trekking – East Africa Safari

East Africa not only offers the majesty of the Serengeti Mara ecosystem, but also the opportunity to visit the rich landscapes of Rwanda and Tanzania for rare encounters with the often elusive chimpanzees and gorillas.

A personal encounter with these critically endangered great apes in their natural habitat is a sought-after and truly amazing experience. To spot the gorillas in Rwanda, or the chimpanzees in Tanzania, guests will have to traverse some remote and rugged terrain.

But you can rest easy knowing we take care of everything every step of the way, with consistently high standards of accommodation, expert guides and ground teams in the region to help you get from place to place safely and smoothly.

Encounters with Chimpanzees

Fifty years ago, millions of chimpanzees lived in equatorial Africa. Today, they are classified as endangered. There are only 170,000 to 300,000 of them left, and with their habitat constantly threatened, their numbers are declining rapidly.

The eastern chimpanzee’s range is limited to the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo, western Uganda, Rwanda, and western Tanzania. Chimpanzees live in a range of habitats, including tropical rainforests, dry forests, and savannas.

What is fascinating is the fact that chimpanzee groups living in different regions have unique behaviors, tools, and traditions that are passed down from one generation to the next. They are highly social animals, living in communities of up to 120 individuals. Chimpanzees communicate using vocalizations, hand gestures, and facial expressions.

Chimpanzee Experiences in Tanzania

Tanzania offers chimpanzee experiences in three different locations: Rubondo Island, Mahale and Gombe, each slightly different from the other.

Our recommended location is Rubondo Island. Here, guests can enjoy a unique adventure by assisting the rangers in their efforts to habituate the chimpanzees to humans.

The park was originally founded by Professor Bernhard Grzimek of the Frankfurt Zoological Society as a sanctuary for endangered species. Over a period of four years (1966-69), he released 16 chimpanzees rescued from European zoos – the first ever attempt to rehabilitate chimpanzees in captivity. They have since returned to the state of homelessness characteristic of wild chimpanzees. From just 16, the population has grown to around 35.

This project is not only beneficial for the chimpanzees, but also has a significant positive impact on the island itself. By introducing the chimpanzees and other species such as elephants and antelopes, the island’s biodiversity was increased and habitats were strengthened, allowing all species to thrive. Transforming Rubondo Island into a profitable, sustainable tourist destination benefited the local economy and ensured the continued existence of this conservation area for generations to come.

Rubondo is located between the Serengeti and Rwanda, making it an ideal stopover on an African safari or gorilla trekking trip.

Chimpanzee experiences in Uganda and Rwanda

Uganda offers excellent chimpanzee trekking experiences in Kibale National Park and Budongo Forest near Murchison Falls. Spend a fascinating day observing wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat – an exciting experience as the chimpanzees set the pace and agenda for the day.

Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda is one of East Africa’s most important rainforest reserves. Here you can spot subadult chimpanzees as you explore the excellent hiking trails.

Gorilla Trekking

Eastern gorillas and mountain gorillas are classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. The world’s last remaining mountain gorillas live in three countries (Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo), spread across four national parks (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park). In these regions, the tropical or subtropical forests that are the gorillas’ natural habitat still exist.

Gorillas live in families, usually consisting of a silverback male and several adult females and their offspring. They communicate through their voice, which includes up to 25 different sounds. Their family ties are strong, and they can make and use tools.

They build nests on the ground or in trees using branches and leaves, which they use both during the day and at night. A gorilla family divides its day into resting periods and wandering or feeding periods: their habitat is 3-15 km², but they often only move up to 500 m in a day, which makes them very easy to track.

Gorilla Experiences in Uganda and Rwanda

Rwanda offers excellent mountain gorilla trekking in the Virunga Mountains (Volcanoes National Park), where you set off in groups of up to eight people to visit a gorilla family for an hour.

Your gorilla experience will not only be awe-inspiring, but will also contribute to the much-needed protection of gorillas in this area. Proceeds from the sale of gorilla trekking permits are used to ensure a healthy and sustainable gorilla population and environment, and to improve the living standards of the local population.

Uganda also offers mountain gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Contact us for more information or to find out which experience is best for you.

When to go

You can track gorillas all year round, but the best time is during the drier months from around June to mid-September and December to February.

Fitness level required

You don’t need to be particularly fit, but you should be able to walk up and down a fair bit. Because gorillas are wild animals, their movements are unpredictable: you may encounter them after a short walk, or you may be prepared for a steep hike lasting several hours if they have retreated to the mountain slopes.

Etiquette

Because gorillas are so closely related to us (we share 98 percent of our DNA), they are very susceptible to human disease. Therefore, if you have a cold or an infection, you will not be allowed to go on gorilla trekking.

You must maintain a distance of at least seven meters from each gorilla, which can sometimes be difficult when these curious and intelligent creatures approach you to investigate you.

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