Uganda small group safaris from Australia

Are you a travel agent in one of the cities in Australia and you are interested in planning Uganda small group safaris from Australia? Are you based in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide or Canberra among others and you are interested in visiting Uganda for a gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari. Did you know booking this safari is easy and all can be done on your laptop or telephone with less hustle, below are the guidelines to enlighten you with more information, ranging from whether to use a tour operator or not, different Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safaris options, best time to book a Uganda gorilla and chimp trekking safari, where to go in Uganda for a gorilla and chimp safari and so many other important things to help you plan a memorable Uganda gorilla and chimp trekking safari from Sydney.

Selected Uganda small group safaris from Australia options

These are the most popular gorilla safaris in Uganda you can book from Europe you can book an all-inclusive gorilla safari or customize to it to your interests;

2 Days Chimpanzee Trekking Tour

3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari

4 Days Gorilla and Chimp Trekking Safari

5 Days Gorilla and Chimp Trekking Safari

6 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari

8 Days Uganda Primate Safari

12 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari

Main things to consider while booking Uganda small group safaris from Australia

Are you planning to visit Africa and Uganda for the first time and you need more information to consider when planning your gorilla and chimpanzee safari, below are the important things you need to know before organizing Uganda small group safaris from Australia?

How to book Uganda small group safaris from Australia?

Booking Uganda small group safaris from Australia you need a gorilla and chimpanzee permit secured in advanced to confirm that you are booked for a Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safari. Once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed we will need you to send us an email here so that we check for availability of gorilla and chimpanzee permits online with the Uganda Wildlife Authority once we confirm permits are available for your planned dates we will let you know so that we can send you an invoice for you to make payment for the permits. Once the payment is done and we have received it on our account we will go ahead and purchase your permits immediately and send you a scanned copy of the permits for your records and perusal, this will confirm you are booked for Uganda gorilla and chimp trekking safari from Australia. It is advised to book your Uganda gorilla and chimp trekking safari in advance atleast 2-3 months prior your visit given the fact permits sell out very quickly on first come first serve basis.

About gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is a gorilla activity that involves trekking/walking and hiking through the forest to search for habituated mountain gorillas which leave together in a given gorilla family group and are used to human presence, once you find them you will have an encounter with them which involves seeing them, taking photographs as well learning about them from your ranger guide. Gorilla trekking gives you an opportunity to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in done in a group of 8 people trekking one given gorilla family.

About chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking is activity that involves trekking/walking and hiking through the forest to search for habituated chimpanzees which leave together in a given chimpanzee group and are used to human presence, once you find them you will have an encounter with them which involves seeing them, taking photographs as well learning about them from your ranger guide. Chimpanzee trekking gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with them in their natural habitat.

Where to see the gorillas in Uganda?

Uganda is home to 50% of the only remaining mountain gorillas in their natural habitats in the world. In Uganda mountain gorillas are only found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both parks are found in the south western part of Uganda close to one another. Many people prefer trekking gorillas in Bwindi because of the many mountain gorilla groups available in the park compared to Mgahinga which only has one gorilla family Nyakagezi, this makes it easy and assured to get a gorilla permit in Bwindi compared to Mghainga. The whole truth is that both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park have mountain gorillas and there is no big difference when it comes to the experience obtained at the end of your trek. The only difference is that mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are in the Virunga/hills with mainly bamboo as the main vegetation while in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, these mountain gorillas are in a tropical rain forest with varieties of trees and plants. Chances of seeing gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are 98% so which ever park you visit, you will be able to see these great apes in their natural environment.

Where to see Chimpanzees in Uganda?

Uganda is home to more than 5000 chimpanzees, these are distributed and found in various destinations, these include Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo forest Murchison falls National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kalinzu forest among other notable locations. This makes Uganda one of the best places to see chimpanzees in the world. Kibale Forest National Park is best known for its number and variety of resident primates with 13 species of primates including the largest population of chimpanzees in Uganda estimated at over 1500 chimpanzees making it the best place to see chimpanzees in Uganda, other primates found in Kibale Forest include the nocturnal busbaby and potto, Monkeys, baboons among others. Kibale forest national park is also a popular destination for birders with over 335 bird species recorded. Chimpanzee trekking is done in two sessions in the morning and afternoon this will be determine by the chimpanzee permit you purchase and your itinerary to trek in a given session accordingly.

How long and tough is Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park timings and conditions vary tremendously as the gorillas move continuously through the rain forest depending on the nature conditions at the time of your trek. It is good to be prepared and remember the weather can change with very little warning. The terrain is often steep and through areas where there are no marked paths. It can be very strenuous it may be just a couple of hours but it can also be for a full day of up to 8 hours or more of hiking in hot, high altitude conditions therefore please be prepared for this by being as fit as possible.

How much is a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda

The Gorilla permit in Uganda Costs $700 Per person per trek for the Foreign non residents, $600 Per person for residents and $70 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Uganda has 17 habituated gorilla family groups with 16 found in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga this means 136 Gorilla permits are available every day for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Uganda also gives you an option to spend more time with the mountain gorillas through Gorilla habituation experience which is only done in Bwindi forest, a gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 per person giving you an opportunity to spend 4 hours encounter with the semi habituated mountain gorillas under the guidance of trackers and researchers as opposed to one hour for the normal trekking. Getting gorilla permits in Uganda can be done directly by booking them through Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a trusted tour operator in Uganda Eco Adventure Safaris.

How long and tough is Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is not generally strenuous compared to gorilla trekking however you still need to be prepared and remember the weather can change with very little warning while in the forest with the chimpanzees so for example carrying a rain jacket is very good. The terrain is often gentle for chimpanzee trekking through areas with well marked paths and trails.

How much is chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda.

Kibale Chimp permit costs USD200 per person Non-Foreign Residents, Kyambura gorge chimp permit costs USD50 per person Non-Foreign Residents, Kalinzu chimp permit costs USD50 per person Non-Foreign Residents and Budongo the permit costs USD130 per person Non-Foreign Residents. There are two sessions for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda namely; Morning session that starts at 8:00am and afternoon session that starts at Mid-day through put the year.

How much does Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari cost?

A 5 Days Uganda gorilla and chimp trekking safari cost starts from US1870 per person sharing all inclusive excluding the international flight fares and Visas. On top of the gorilla and chimp permit you will also pay other services for a successful gorilla and chimp trekking safari which include transport, accommodation and guiding.

Best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda?

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is best done in the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for the treks in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga gorilla National Park, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for viewing the mountain gorillas offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of April, May and November which is normally a wet season this makes the vegetations grow high making the sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact mountain gorillas don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available. Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done throughout the year given the fact it is a very well organized activity and you have 99% chances of seeing the mountain gorillas.

Best time for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is best done in the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for Chimpanzee trekking in the Forest, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for viewing the chimpanzees offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of April, May and November which is normally a wet season this makes the vegetations grow high making the sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact chimpanzees don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can be done throughout the year given the fact it is a very well organized activity and you have 99% chances of seeing the Chimpanzees.

Where to stay and price of accommodation during your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari

Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Forest National Park is done in the northern part that is Buhoma and Ruhija and in southern part that is Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. In Rushaga, you can stay at Rushaga Gorilla camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge and Karungi Camp. In Nkuringo you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge or Lake Mutanda Resort, all these lodges are close to the start point of Gorilla Habituation.

In the northern part, in Buhoma sector you can stay at Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Ride 4 a Woman among others, In Ruhija you can stay at Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Agandi Eco Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Broadbill Tented Camp among others.

In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lodges include Gahinga Lodge, Lake Chahafi Resort and Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge

There are many accommodation options in Kibale national park where you can stay during your Chimpanzee trekking here these range from budget, mid-range to luxury let us now we will book for you accordingly. Budget options include Chimpanzee forest Guest House, Isunga Lodge and Kibale Home saty among others these cost USD90-100 per person per night, mid-range include Primate Lodge and Turaco Treetops Lodge among others these cost USD150-200 per person per night, Luxury options include Papaya Lake Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge and Nadli Lodge these cost USD250-700 per person per night.

The best route to use during your gorilla and chimp trekking safari in Uganda.

Both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are located in the south western part of Uganda and these parks are close to each other. For you to get to one of these parks for gorilla trekking you can use the main high way road from Entebbe/Kampala via Mbarara, Kabale and then proceed to either the northern or southern part of Bwindi depending on which side you have booked for your gorilla trek. For the northern side you will turn off along the Kabale-Kisoro highway you will see a sign post of Uganda Wildlife Authority and follow this road to either Ruhija or Buhoma sector. The southern sectors Nkuringo and Rushaga these are accessed by branching off at Muko town located along the Kabale-Kisoro highway for Mgahinga you will proceed and pass through Kisoro town to get to the park

By Air; There are scheduled flights available at Entebbe International Airport operated by Aero Link Uganda and Kajjansi Air field operated by Air Uganda which fly to both Kisoro and Kihihi airstrips which are close to close to Bwindi forest National Park. From here you will access the park for gorilla trekking which takes approximately 1-2 hours drive.

Depending on your itinerary and places you plan to visit where to do your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking also depending on availability and booking you will either start with gorilla trekking or end with chimpanzee trekking.

Why book Uganda small group safaris from Australia with Eco Adventure Safaris.

Eco Adventure Safaris will help you book your Uganda small group safaris from Australia contact us here we advise you on the booking process. We as well have different Uganda gorilla trekking safari packages ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury options that we can book for you including the gorilla permits. Feel free to checkout our trip advisor reviews and read from a community of happy satisfied clients. With us, you can be rest assured of a memorable Uganda safari holiday. We are devoted to providing excellent service and customer satisfaction. Our team of excellent tour consultants is always willing to help answer all your safari questions. We guarantee you a great gorilla and chimp trekking tour in Uganda with us.