Rwanda and Uganda Primate Safari

What a primate safari across two countries offers

Rwanda and Uganda between them hold most of the world's remaining mountain gorillas, and both countries also have strong chimpanzee tracking. A primate-focused trip lets you combine the two, trekking gorillas in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park or Uganda's Bwindi, and tracking chimpanzees in Rwanda's Nyungwe Forest or Uganda's Kibale Forest, all planned from a Kigali base. Rather than one fixed route, we build this trip around which combination interests you most.

If you only want the Bwindi gorilla trek without the wider primate circuit, our 3-day Bwindi gorilla trekking page covers that shorter option. If you want gorillas in both parks rather than gorillas plus chimpanzees, see our Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari. This page is for travellers who want the broader primate story, not only gorillas.

Who this suits

This trip suits travellers with a week or more available, who are drawn to primates specifically rather than wildlife in general, and who do not mind a border crossing partway through. It works well for photographers, for repeat visitors to Rwanda who have already trekked gorillas here and want chimpanzees next, and for anyone comparing the two countries before deciding where to focus. Our comparison of Kibale and Nyungwe for chimpanzee tracking is a useful starting point if you are unsure which forest to include.

How the route typically works

A common structure treks gorillas first in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, then continues south to Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzee tracking and canopy walks, giving you two of Rwanda's headline experiences before crossing into Uganda. From there, the trip can extend to Bwindi for a second gorilla trek in a different forest, or to Kibale for a further chimpanzee day, depending on how much time and budget you have. Some travellers prefer the reverse: starting in Uganda and finishing in Rwanda before flying out of Kigali. Either way, we sequence the trekking days so that permits, which must be booked to a fixed date, are set first and the rest of the route is built around them.

Our guide to driving from Rwanda to Uganda explains the crossing itself, and our chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe page describes that side of the trip if Rwanda is your only chimpanzee stop.

What is included and what is not

We include private transport for the full route, a driver-guide, and coordination between Rwanda and Uganda park bookings so your dates line up. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are priced and paid separately, since Rwanda and Uganda each set and collect their own fees through their respective wildlife authorities, and prices change from time to time. Accommodation, meals and tips are quoted separately once we know your preferred lodges. Our gorilla trekking cost in Rwanda page explains how the Rwanda side of the budget breaks down, which is a useful reference even though Uganda's figures differ.

Best season

Both countries share broadly similar dry and rainy seasons. June to September and December to February are the driest and busiest months for trekking, so permits for both gorillas and chimpanzees should be booked well ahead if you are travelling then. The wetter months of March to May and October to November see fewer visitors, and Nyungwe in particular is a rainforest that sees rain year round, so pack for wet trails whenever you go. Our guide to the best time to visit Nyungwe is useful for that leg of the trip specifically.

What to expect on trekking days

Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking both begin with an early briefing, followed by a walk of variable length depending on where the animals were last seen. Chimpanzee tracking tends to involve more movement, since chimpanzees range further and move faster through the canopy than gorillas do on the ground. Bring the same kit for both: sturdy waterproof boots, a rain jacket regardless of season, long sleeves, and a camera without flash. Our gorilla trekking packing list covers this in full.

How to book

Tell us how many trekking days you want, which forests interest you and your approximate travel dates. Because gorilla and chimpanzee permits in both countries are limited and date-specific, we check and hold availability before building the surrounding itinerary, then send you a full day-by-day plan with permit and non-permit costs shown separately.

Choosing which forests to include

The right combination depends on what you have already done and how much time you have. First-time visitors to the region often choose one gorilla trek and one chimpanzee day, since repeating either activity in a second forest costs a second permit without necessarily adding much to the experience. Repeat visitors, or serious primate enthusiasts, sometimes choose two gorilla treks in two different forests, or chimpanzee tracking in both Nyungwe and Kibale, to compare habituated groups and forest types directly. Tell us which you are and we will suggest a combination rather than defaulting to the longest, most expensive option.

Getting between forests

Travel days between forests can be as long as trekking days themselves, since Rwanda and Uganda's parks are spread across varied terrain and the border crossing adds time on top of ordinary driving. We schedule these as lower-key days, often with a stop at a viewpoint, market town or lodge with its own grounds worth resting in, rather than treating them as dead time to rush through. Our Rwanda safari page shows how similar multi-region routes are typically paced within Rwanda alone, which gives a sense of the driving distances involved before you add Uganda to the route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days should I allow for a Rwanda and Uganda primate safari?

Most versions of this trip run 6 to 8 days, giving you one gorilla trek, one chimpanzee tracking day and travel time between forests. Shorter and longer versions are possible depending on how many trekking days you want.

Do I need separate permits for gorillas and chimpanzees?

Yes. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are booked and priced separately from each other, and separately again between Rwanda and Uganda, since each park and country manages its own permit system.

Is chimpanzee tracking harder than gorilla trekking?

It can be, since chimpanzees move faster and range further, which sometimes means a longer or more energetic walk. Neither activity requires technical climbing skill.

Can I do this trip without crossing into Uganda?

Yes, a Rwanda-only version combining Volcanoes National Park gorillas with Nyungwe Forest chimpanzees is possible and removes the need for a Uganda visa or border crossing. Ask us for that variation.

What visa do I need for both countries?

This depends on your nationality and whether the East Africa tourist visa is available to you, which can cover Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya together. We confirm your specific requirements once we know your nationality.

Can this trip include Akagera or Lake Kivu as well?

Yes, though adding either extends the trip further. Our 4-day gorilla and Akagera safari shows how Akagera pairs with gorilla trekking if you want that combination instead.