Rwanda Primate Trekking 

Home of half of the world’s population of wild gorillas, a gorilla safari in Volcanoes National Park is the cornerstone of the Rwanda experience for those lucky enough to snag one of the few tracking permits dispersed by the Rwandan government each day.  

Within the park, guests can visit one of 12 habituated families of mountain gorillas specifically tracked for visitor interaction. Like typical human family units, each gorilla family unit offers something unique, making no two gorilla treks the same. The experience of seeing the gorillas up close and personal is surreal and exhilarating. Also, within Volcanoes National Park you can find habituated golden monkeys. Similar to trekking gorillas, trekking to see golden monkeys requires  a special permit for a private guided hike.   

While Volcanoes National Park might be the most well-known primate park in Rwanda, there are two other national parks that offer surreal primate experiences. The Nyungwe Forest National Park shelters more than 25-percent of Africa’s primate species. A trek through the park offers a chance to see 14 different species of primates, including the L’Hoest monkey, owl-faced monkey, black and white colobus, and chimpanzee. The Gishwati-Mukura National Park which is home to approximately 35 chimpanzees and is also a sanctuary for other primates like golden monkeys, blue monkeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys.  

For more detailed information, check out our Guide to Rwanda's National Parks.  

Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking 

Gorilla safaris through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda rank among one of the world’s premier wildlife encounters. The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits on the rim of the Rift Valley in southwestern Uganda. It is one of the few places in Africa to have survived and even flourished, through the last Ice Age. About 450 mountain gorillas live in the mist-covered hillsides among a maze of dense forest and vines. For that reason, gorilla safaris through the park have long been considered a highlight for most people visiting Uganda.  

The magnificence of these animals astounds, with adults and babies climbing trees, sitting in human-like positions, and snacking on the nearby vegetation. In addition to its gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts about 90 mammal species, including 11 primates. There are also 200 butterfly species, 324 varieties of trees, over 360 bird species, and rare mammals like forest elephants.  

Chimpanzees are widespread in Uganda, with Kibale National Park offering the premier trekking experience due to its large population of over 1,500 individuals and high sighting success rate. Kibale National Park has one of Africa’s richest primate populations, hosting 13 species. Alongside the chimpanzees, you can find Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Red Colobus Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Grey-Cheeked Mangabeys, Red-Tailed Monkeys, and more.