The great apes of Uganda and Rwanda: Meet your relatives
Did you know that humans are primates? Yes, we are primates classified in a subgroup called great apes. There are about 20 species of apes that is still in existence, and they are divided into great apes and small apes. Our area of interest in this article is about human and great apes specifically Rwanda and Uganda great apes.
what differentiate the great apes
Human and other great apes are characterized with the similarities in their body structures and genetic formation which are different from other primates (the small apes). Below are some of the distinctive features that make the great apes including human different from other apes.
- a brain that is larger and more complex than other primates
- distinctive molar teeth in the lower jaw which have a ‘Y5’ pattern (five cusps or raised bumps arranged in a Y-shape)
- a shoulder and arm structure that enables the arms to freely rotate around the shoulder
- a ribcage that forms a wide but shallow chest
- an appendix
- no external tail
There are still five different specie of great apes in existence which include gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, bonobos, and humans!
where to find the great apes in Uganda and Rwanda
Of the five great apes’ group, Uganda and Rwanda is a home to 3 of them which include humans, gorillas specifically eastern mountain gorillas that can be found at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Chimpanzees is another great apes’ that can be found in Uganda and Rwanda at parks like Kibaale National Park, Nyungwe National Park, Gishwati-Mukura National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison falls National Park.
Both gorillas and chimpanzees are declared to be critically endangered by UNESCO and are at the risk of getting extinct because of being encroached on by the poachers in areas where they are found
In case of gorillas, they can only be found in the places mentioned above and their population is estimated to be less than 1000 gorillas all over the world. However, effort as been put in place starting with the Diana fossil initiative to ensure that these great apes can be preserved even for the future generations to come.
Reservation efforts of great apes in Uganda and Rwanda
All the three countries of Rwanda, Uganda and Congo where mountain gorillas are found have come up with the combined guideline to ensure that these great apes are reserved while giving the tourist all over the world to come and witness their close relatives
At vacation safaris, we have designed packages that will offer you a chance to meet these great apes in their natural habitats while following the set reservation guidelines. Below are some of the packages that we do offer but feel free to approach us for a customized package in case non of our pre tailored packages meet your requirements.
Itinerary Overview
- Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
- Day 2: Transfer to Kibale National Park
- Day 3: Chimpanzee habituation experience
- Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi NP
- Day 5: Gorilla trekking
- Day 6: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Day 7: Golden monkey habituation
- Day 8: Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park
- Day 9: Golden monkey trekking
- Day 10: Kigali city tour and transfer to the airport
Detailed Itinerary:10 Days Great Apes Of Uganda And Rwanda
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Upon arrival, you will be met and greeted by your English-speaking driver guide who will briefly take you through the trip plan. He will then transfer you to your hotel in Entebbe for relaxation and an overnight stay.
Accommodation:
Lake Victoria Serena hotel (Luxury)/ 2 friends Entebbe (Midrange)
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale National Park
After an early breakfast, you will check out of the lodge for the transfer to Kibale Forest National Park with an en-route lunch. Kibale is famously known as the primate capital and the transfer to Kibale Forest National Park takes approximately 6 hours. Upon arrival at the park, you will check in at the lodge for relaxation and an overnight stay as you contemplate the chimpanzee trekking adventure that lies ahead of you.
Accommodation:
Chimpundu Lodge (Luxury)/ Turacco treetops (Midrange)
Day 3: Chimpanzee habituation experience
Leave for the morning chimpanzee habituation experience which will make you stay longer with the chimps than the normal chimpanzee trekking, you enjoy almost a full day with these great apes right from the time when they are still in their nest up to the time, will be breastfeeding their young ones and other daily activities, you stay with them for 4-6 hours, after proceeding to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:
Chimpundu Lodge (Luxury)/ Turacco treetops (Midrange)
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi National Park
After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge for the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is a big habitat for mountain gorillas in Uganda (harboring an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population) including several habituated groups, which you will trek. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do less on arrival but just check in your accommodation, and relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the following day.
Accommodation:
Gorilla leisure lodge (Luxury)/ Ichumbi lodge (Midrange)
Day 5: Gorilla trekking experience
On this day, you will have a great time encountering the mountain gorillas of Bwindi National Park! After a tasty breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the lodge and transfer you to the briefing point for a briefing by ranger guides at 7:30 and 8:30 am about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. With a packed lunch, you will start the trek to track the gorillas and after locating them, you will only spend a maximum of 1 hour. This walk can take approximately 4-5 hours depending on where the gorillas slept the previous night.
Accommodation:
Gorilla leisure lodge (Luxury)/ Ichumbi lodge (Midrange)
Day 6: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge with the help of your guide and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with beautiful views of the countryside. Upon arrival, you will check in at the lodge for lunch as you contemplate the adventure that lies ahead of you.
Accommodation:
Mount Gahinga lodge (Luxury)/ Ikoro hotel (Midrange)
Day 7: Golden monkey habituation
Leave for the morning golden monkey habituation experience which will make you stay longer with the golden monkeys than the normal golden monkey trekking, you enjoy almost a full day with these great apes right from the time when they are still in their nest up the time, they will be breastfeeding their young ones and other daily activities, you stay with them for 4-6 hours. After the golden monkey habituation, you will transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda via Chanika border post. Upon arrival, you will check in at the lodge for relaxation, overnight stay, and dinner.
Accommodation:
One and Only Gorilla’s nest (Luxury)/ Five volcanoes (Midrange)
Day 8: Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park
On this day, you will have a great time encountering the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park! After a tasty breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the lodge and transfer you to the briefing point for a briefing by ranger guides at 7:30 and 8:30 am about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. With a packed lunch, you will start the trek to track the gorillas and after locating them, you will only spend a maximum of 1 hour. This walk can take approximately 4-5 hours depending on where the gorillas slept the previous night. After the trek, you hike back out of the park for lunch. After lunch, you will be taken to the Ibwiwachu community the gorilla guidance community. This afternoon you will visit the Ibwiwachu community where you will be introduced to traditional Rwanda through traditional; dances, poems, and dressing codes among others.
Accommodation:
One and Only Gorilla’s nest (Luxury)/ Five volcanoes (Midrange)
Day 9: Golden monkey trekking adventure
This will take us through the edges of the forest via potato fields and the briefing will be conducted in the same place where the usual Kinigi park office is located this means the trekking will take us 3-4 hours after the trekking, we shall return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, have the entire afternoon at leisure.
Accommodation:
One and Only Gorilla’s nest (Luxury)/ Five volcanoes (Midrange)
Day 10: Kigali city tour and transfer to the airport
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kigali for the city tour. You will visit Ntarama church where you will learn more about the 1994 genocide memorial. From Nyamata church, crown the genocide history with a visit to the Gisozi genocide memorial museum where you will learn more about the history of genocide memorial and how it went throughout the country. After lunch, you will visit the firehouse which is the area where the plane that was carrying President Habyarima was brought down, which sparked the famous 1994 Rwanda genocide. After the city tour, you will be transferred back to Kigali International Airport for
your flight back home. and learn more about Rwanda’s culture. After the city tour, you will have lunch and then transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
End of 10-day Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda safari
Safaris includes and excludes
Inclusions (Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda)
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Gorilla permits
- Chimpanzee habituation permit
- Golden monkey permit
- Golden monkey habituation permit
- City tour
- Cultural tour
- All activities mentioned above
- All transfers
Exclusions (Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda)
- Air ticket
- Visa fees
- Tips & gratuities
- Personal expenses
The best time to go on the 10 Days Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda safari is during the dry seasons, which run from June to September and December to February. During these months, forest trails in Kibale, Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Volcanoes National Park are less muddy, making chimpanzee and gorilla trekking more comfortable. Wildlife viewing is also excellent, and road conditions between parks are generally better. That said, this safari can be done year-round, as primate trekking is not seasonal. The wetter months (March–May and October–November) offer greener landscapes, fewer visitors, and sometimes discounted accommodation rates, though trekking can be more physically demanding due to slippery trails.
Packing appropriately is essential for a comfortable and successful primate safari. Recommended items include:
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Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support
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Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers to protect against insects and vegetation
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A lightweight rain jacket or poncho, as rain can occur at any time
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Gardening or trekking gloves for gripping vegetation during forest hikes
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Daypack with a rain cover
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Reusable water bottle and energy snacks
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Insect repellent and sunscreen
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Hat and sunglasses
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Camera with extra batteries and memory cards (flash photography is not allowed)
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Personal medication and a basic first-aid kit
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Face mask, often required during gorilla and chimpanzee encounters to reduce disease transmission
Layered clothing is recommended, as mornings can be cool in the high-altitude forests and warmer later in the day.
This itinerary is not ideal for young children, mainly due to primate trekking regulations and physical demands. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking is restricted to visitors aged 15 years and above in both Uganda and Rwanda. Trekking involves hiking through steep, dense forests and can last several hours, requiring good fitness and patience. However, the safari is well suited for teenagers (15+), active families, and adults who enjoy nature, wildlife, and adventure-based travel.
Yes, the 10 Days Great Apes of Uganda and Rwanda safari is considered very safe. Uganda and Rwanda are among the safest and most stable safari destinations in Africa. All primate activities are conducted under the guidance of professional park rangers and experienced safari guides, ensuring visitor safety at all times. National parks have strong security measures, and trekking groups are closely monitored. Transfers between destinations are carefully planned using well-maintained vehicles and established routes, making the journey both safe and comfortable.
Is this safari eco-friendly and responsible?
Absolutely. This safari follows strict eco-tourism and conservation guidelines set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits directly fund wildlife conservation, veterinary care, and community development projects. Group sizes are limited, trekking time is restricted, and health protocols are enforced to protect the primates. Many lodges used on this itinerary practice sustainable tourism, including community employment, waste reduction, and support for local initiatives. By choosing this safari, travelers actively contribute to the long-term protection of endangered great apes and the communities that live alongside them.
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