Planning guidance updated 27 September 2026. The personal account below was originally published in April 2024.
Gorillas or chimpanzees? If seeing mountain gorillas is the reason for your journey, plan that encounter first. Chimpanzee trekking offers a different forest experience and can be a rewarding addition when your time and budget allow. Choose around the whole route, rather than assuming either trek will be easy.
“Tracking Chimps through the dense forest I felt giddy, slightly nervous, exhilarated and was stunned by the noisy sounds as they were communicating to each other”
Jill
Before I started working for The Gorilla Safari Company, I had the opportunity to visit Uganda with my daughter and a friend. We planned lots of fabulous activities such as safaris, boat cruises, community activities and chimp trekking. To be honest, we had opted for chimp trekking rather than gorilla trekking due to cost reasons but in fact the chimp trek turned out to be one of our absolute highlights of the trip. Of course, having done the chimp trek we then all instantly regretted not having arranged to go gorilla trekking too!! Fortunately, a number of years later, I finally got to see the gorillas in the wild and it was just as magical as I had hoped it would be.
We are often asked which we would recommend – gorilla trekking or chimp trekking. Either experience, to be fair, is extraordinary as they both give you such a fascinating insight into these primates and their natural habitat.
“And there they were, the gorilla family we had set out to trek just a few hours before….… playing in the trees above, chilling on the forest floor whilst eating and quietly grooming one another. It was such a gentle sight and I felt as if I had stepped into another world.”
Alison T
Differences between gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
- The experience: Jill’s account above captures the contrast she felt between the two encounters. Chimpanzees can be vocal and fast-moving, and you may watch them in the canopy as well as on the ground. Wildlife behaviour varies on every visit.
- The walking: Neither trek is guaranteed to be easy. Gorilla trekking may involve altitude and steep slopes; chimpanzee terrain can also be steep, slippery and muddy. Discuss your fitness and mobility before choosing a park or route.
- Group size: Standard gorilla treks normally allow up to eight visitors per gorilla family. Chimpanzee group limits depend on the park and activity: Nyungwe specifies a maximum of eight adults per community for standard tracking.
- Age limits: The standard minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15. Chimpanzee rules vary by destination; Nyungwe also requires visitors to be at least 15. We confirm eligibility for your chosen park before arranging permits.
- Cost: Compare the complete safari, including permits, park entry where charged separately, accommodation and transfers. An activity price alone does not tell you what the trip will cost.
What both experiences have in common
- Both involve guided visits to wild animals. Follow your ranger’s instructions and the park’s rules on distance, photography and health.
- Standard visits generally allow up to one hour with the animals once located; the walk to find them is additional. Habituation experiences are separate activities with their own conditions.
- Permits and places are limited. We plan the trekking date alongside your accommodation and travel arrangements.
Should I choose one trek or combine both?
Start with the encounter that matters most to you. If your main ambition is to see mountain gorillas, make that the anchor of the itinerary. Add chimpanzees if you have the time and interest to enjoy another forest experience without rushing the journey.
In Uganda, a longer route can combine gorilla trekking with Kibale and other wildlife areas. In Rwanda, combining gorillas with chimpanzees means travelling between Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe. These are different bases, so allow time for transfers and rest rather than treating the second trek as a quick add-on.
Explore our Uganda safaris and Rwanda safaris, or browse journey ideas for a starting point.
Where can I trek chimpanzees?
For the Uganda and Rwanda journeys we plan, Kibale National Park in Uganda and Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda are key options to discuss. The best fit depends on your route, the available activity and the time you have. We confirm the arrangements for the specific park before booking.
Where can I see mountain gorillas?
In Uganda, mountain gorilla trekking takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. In Rwanda, it takes place in Volcanoes National Park. We plan your permit, accommodation and transfers together.
How much will it cost?
Permit prices depend on the country, park, activity, visitor category and travel date. Use our gorilla permit guide for gorilla permit options, and ask us to confirm the chimpanzee fees that apply to your itinerary.
Check what a quoted activity fee includes. Nyungwe publishes chimpanzee tracking charges separately from park entry, so its tracking fee alone is not the complete park cost. Accommodation, transfers and other activities also need to be included in your safari budget.
We prepare a proposal showing the inclusions and confirm applicable rates and availability before booking. Tell us your dates, interests and approximate budget →
When should I go?
Plan around both the forest experience and the rest of your safari. Rain can make trails slippery and muddy, and conditions vary with the park, altitude and day. A drier travel period does not guarantee dry trails or a shorter walk. We will discuss your dates, preferred pace and wider route when recommending a journey.
For practical answers about fitness, clothing, porters and what to expect, see our gorilla trekking FAQs.
Plan a journey around the encounters you want
Tell us whether gorillas, chimpanzees or both are on your wish list, how much time you have and any concerns about the walking. We will help you choose a practical route and bring the permits, transfers and places to stay together.