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Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tours from Australia: Your Ultimate Guide
Are you based in Australia and looking to plan an unforgettable Uganda gorilla trekking safari? Whether you’re in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, or Canberra, booking your Uganda Gorilla Tour from Australia is easy and convenient. With just a laptop or phone, you can secure your adventure without hassle. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from choosing the right tour operator to understanding the best time to visit and where to go in Uganda for gorilla and chimpanzee safaris.
Key Things to Consider When Booking Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tours from Australia
Planning your first Uganda safari? It’s essential to have all the information to ensure your gorilla trekking and chimpanzee safari go smoothly. Here are some critical points to consider when booking your Uganda Gorilla Tour from Australia:
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Choosing a tour operator: While you can organize the trip independently, a reputable tour operator can help secure your gorilla permits and handle logistics, ensuring a seamless experience.
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When to book: Book your gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking safari at least 2-3 months in advance to secure your permits, as they often sell out quickly.
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What to expect: Learn about the trekking difficulty, the habitats you’ll explore, and how to make the most of your time with the gorillas and chimpanzees.
How to Book Your Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tours from Australia
Booking your Uganda Gorilla Tour from Australia is a straightforward process. Here’s how it works:
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Confirm Your Travel Dates: Once you’ve decided on your travel dates, contact us via email to check the availability of gorilla and chimpanzee permits with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
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Secure Your Permits: After confirming availability, we’ll send you an invoice for the permit payment. Once we receive payment, we’ll purchase your permits and send you scanned copies for your records.
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Final Confirmation: Once your permits are secured, you’re officially booked for the Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari.
Remember, the gorilla and chimpanzee permits are first-come, first-serve, so it’s important to book well in advance.
About Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking is one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences in the world. You’ll hike through the dense forest of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to find habituated mountain gorillas. These gentle giants are used to human presence, and you’ll be able to observe them closely for up to one hour.
Trekking is done in groups of eight, and you’ll be guided by an experienced ranger who will provide fascinating insights about the gorillas and their behavior. The trek can be physically demanding, but the reward of seeing these magnificent creatures up close is priceless.
About Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
In addition to gorillas, Uganda is also home to chimpanzees, our closest relatives. Chimpanzee trekking involves a similar process to gorilla trekking: hiking through the forest to find habituated chimpanzee families. Once you find them, you’ll be able to observe their behavior, take photos, and learn from your guide.
Like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking lasts about one hour, giving you a memorable experience in the wild. The treks are conducted in two sessions—morning and afternoon—depending on the permit you purchase.
Where to See Gorillas in Uganda
Uganda is home to 50% of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and you can find them in two places:
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Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: This is the most popular destination for gorilla trekking, with 16 habituated gorilla families. Due to the large number of gorillas, it’s easier to secure a trekking permit here.
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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: This smaller park only has one habituated gorilla family, Nyakagezi. While it’s less frequented than Bwindi, it offers a more exclusive experience.
Both parks offer a 98% chance of seeing mountain gorillas, so whichever one you choose, you’ll have an unforgettable experience. The main difference is the environment: Bwindi is a tropical rainforest, while Mgahinga is located in the Virunga Mountains, known for its bamboo vegetation.
Where to See Chimpanzees in Uganda
Uganda is home to over 5,000 chimpanzees, with several locations to visit for chimpanzee trekking:
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Kibale Forest National Park: Known for having the largest population of chimpanzees in Uganda, Kibale is a top destination for chimpanzee trekking. The park is also rich in other primates and birds, making it a fantastic spot for wildlife lovers.
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Budongo Forest: Located in Murchison Falls National Park, this is another great destination for chimpanzee trekking.
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Kyambura Gorge: Found within Queen Elizabeth National Park, this gorge is home to a chimpanzee population that’s well worth visiting.
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Kalinzu Forest: Known for its biodiversity, Kalinzu is a hidden gem for chimpanzee trekking.
How Long and Tough Is Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking can vary in length and difficulty, depending on the gorilla family’s location and the weather. You may trek for anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, often through steep, muddy, and sometimes challenging terrain.
It’s important to be in good physical condition, as the trek can be strenuous. The weather in the rainforest can change quickly, so be prepared for sudden rain or heat. Despite the challenge, the experience of seeing the gorillas up close makes the effort worthwhile.
Gorilla Trekking Permit Costs in Uganda
The cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda depends on your nationality:
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$800 per person for foreign non-residents
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$700 per person for foreign residents
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$80 per person for East African citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan)
If you’re looking to spend more time with the gorillas, consider the Gorilla Habituation Experience, which is available only in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The permit costs $1,500 and allows you to spend 4 hours with semi-habituated gorillas.
How Difficult is Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda?
While chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is generally less strenuous than gorilla trekking, it’s still important to be prepared for the journey. The forest terrain is typically gentle with well-marked paths, making the trek easier. However, the weather can change unexpectedly, so it’s a good idea to carry a rain jacket and be prepared for the occasional downpour.
Cost of Chimpanzee Trekking Permits in Uganda
The cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda varies depending on the location:
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Kibale Forest: $250 per person for non-residents
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Kyambura Gorge: $100 per person for non-residents
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Kalinzu Forest: $130 per person for non-residents
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Budongo Forest: $130 per person for non-residents
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is offered in two daily sessions: the morning session at 8:00 am and the afternoon session at noon. These sessions are available throughout the year.
How Much Does a Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Uganda Cost?
A 5-day Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Trekking Safari typically starts at $1,920 per person for shared accommodations, including all services except international flights and visas. In addition to the cost of the gorilla and chimp permits, your safari will cover transportation, accommodation, meals, and guiding services for a seamless trekking experience.
When Is the Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?
The best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry months of June to October and December to March. During this period, rainfall is minimal, making trekking easier through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The drier weather also ensures that vegetation is not overly dense, offering excellent visibility for gorilla sightings, which is perfect for photography.
During the rainy seasons (April, May, and November), the vegetation can grow taller, making sightings more challenging. However, treks tend to be shorter during these months, as the gorillas don’t move as far due to the abundance of food.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done year-round with a 99% chance of seeing mountain gorillas.
Best Time for Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
Just like gorilla trekking, the best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is during the dry months, from June to October and December to March. This period offers mild rainfall, making it easier to trek through the forest and spot chimpanzees. The vegetation is also less dense, which improves visibility for both trekking and photography.
During the rainy season (April, May, and November), while the sightings can be more challenging due to dense vegetation, the treks tend to be shorter as chimpanzees typically remain closer to their feeding grounds. Chimpanzee trekking is a well-organized activity in Uganda, and there’s a 99% chance of spotting chimpanzees throughout the year.
Where to Stay During Your Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Uganda
Accommodation options for your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda vary depending on the location and your budget. Here are some choices:
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park:
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Southern Bwindi (Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors):
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Rushaga Gorilla Camp
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Four Gorillas Lodge
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Northern Bwindi (Buhoma and Ruhija sectors):
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Bwindi Lodge
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Trekkers Tavern Cottages
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Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park:
Kibale Forest National Park (for chimpanzee trekking):
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Budget:
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Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
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Isunga Lodge
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Kibale Home Stay ($90-100 per night)
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Mid-range:
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Primate Lodge
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Turaco Treetops Lodge ($150-200 per night)
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Luxury:
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Papaya Lake Lodge
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Kyaninga Lodge
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Nadli Lodge ($250-700 per night)
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Best Route for Your Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Uganda
Both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are located in the southwestern part of Uganda, close to each other. To reach these parks, you can drive from Entebbe/Kampala via Mbarara and Kabale, then proceed to either the northern or southern sectors of Bwindi or Mgahinga.
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For the northern sectors (Ruhija or Buhoma): Turn off along the Kabale-Kisoro highway after Mbarara and follow signs to the park.
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For the southern sectors (Nkuringo or Rushaga): Branch off at Muko town along the same highway and head towards Kisoro for Mgahinga.
Alternatively, scheduled flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips are available through Aero Link Uganda or Air Uganda. From there, it’s a short drive to your trekking destination.
Why Book Your Uganda Gorilla Tours from Australia with Trek Africa Expeditions?
At Trek Africa Expeditions, we organize Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tours for travelers from Australia. We offer various gorilla trekking safari packages, including budget, mid-range, and luxury options, and we handle all your gorilla permits and other arrangements.
Feel free to read our TripAdvisor reviews from satisfied clients and see why our tours are so highly rated. We guarantee you a memorable Uganda safari, with excellent service and expert guidance throughout your journey. Let us help you plan an unforgettable gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda!
