Classic Ugandan Journey - Gorilla's & Chimpanzee's

Uganda’s forests are home to over half the world’s 1004 or so mountain gorillas (as of May 2018) – the rest live in the neighboring Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As they do not survive in captivity, preservation of these fragile habitats is essential for their survival.

In Uganda mountain gorillas are found in two parks – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park – and tracking takes place at 5 locations. All locations combined give a total of over 20 gorilla groups and this figure includes two groups under habituation and one group only for researchers.

Max 8 people are allowed per each gorilla group and for maximum 1 hour. Permits are 700US$ (including Park Entrance Fee) or you can spend 4 hours with family of Gorilla under the Gorilla Habituation Experience for 1500US$

The minimum age for gorilla tracking is 15 years and there are specific behavior guidelines to follow. Due to the steep terrain, the thick vegetation and the high altitude, a good level of fitness is required.

Our team of local enthaustic guides are eager to show you the warmth of friendship and hospitality Ugandan’s are well known for. Traveling with Nkuringo Walking Safaris you will be humbled and touched by the heart felt sincerity of the people you will meet on your journey. We provide the opportunity for you, the travellers, to immerse yourself in the fabric of rural Uganda few others get to experience.

Journey highlights include:
Views of the Virunga Volcanoes and day hikes to the Virungas
Journey by dugout canoe on Lake Mutanda
Visits to rural homesteads
Trek through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Experience wondrous views from Nkuringo

The Batwa Experience is a historical drama acting by the Batwa Pygmy people of what their life used to be like in the forest. Highlights include learning about medicinal herbs, traditional shelters, fire making, honey harvesting, burial rituals, different types of snares, and more. The Batwa do not just demonstrate their culture for tourists, but also for their own children, so they strive for authenticity. The experience was designed by a professional anthropologist together with Batwa elders who had lived in the forest. Proceeds from the tour go to Batwa education and healthcare.

A day spent with the Batwa gives you the opportunity to enjoy the following;-

Hike in the forest with the forest people – the Batwa pygmies guide this trail and provide you chance to see the forest and its habitants through their eyes.
See how they lived and hunted in the traditional manner. You will have a go at how they hunted with a bow and arrow.
Visit their traditional homesteads and learn how they lived together in small spaces and what each hut represented.
You will learn about survival in the forest and each tree and scrub was of importance to them – as they depended on them for medicine.
Batwa were known for their dancing, and were always invited into the communities nearing the parks to entertain people, you will have chance to join in the dancing.

Accompanied by a guide, you will follow the forest trails and look out for different types of birds. Of the 325 that are recorded in this national park, 6 species of birds are endemic to the Albertine Rift region, including the Black-capped Apalis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Collared Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Purple-breasted Sunbird and Red-faced Woodland Warbler.

The forest opens its doors for a sensational chimp tracking! Enjoy a guided primate walk in the lush expenses of the tropical rainforest, in search of the wild chimpanzees. The ranger guide will explain you more about the animals and plants species that you encounter on your way. Also look out for other primates like the Red-Colobus Monkeys and Mangabey, birds, tracks of mammals and much more!

Be educated and entertained by experienced ranger guides. This walk especially caters for children who are too young to participate in the chimp tracking. While the parents enjoy their chimpanzee experience, the young ones will go for a forest walk and learn more about the ecosystem, followed by creative activities and games.

Another project initiated by the community is the Village Walk. This guided walk takes you for a closer meeting with the Bigodi Trading Centre. Accompanied by a guide, who can tell you everything about the traditional customs and lifestyle of this tribe, you will follow the village path and visit a primary school, Catholic church, traditional homesteads, learn about the crops and listen to the story telling of a Mzee (elderly man).

As you drive from Fort Portal to Kibale Forest you will pass the area of the Bunyaruguru Crater Lakes region. Here you can simply enjoy the beauty of the numerous small lakes, surrounded by gentle hills, and the stunning views. Take a hike at Lake Nkuruba to encounter different species of primates and birds. Or visit the hidden Mahoma Falls while you meet the local people as you walk through their villages and learn more about the customs of the Batoro tribe.

This part of Kibale Forest is located 12 km from Fort Portal in the direction of Kampala. The area offers different walking trails for excellent bird and primate viewing in moist evergreen forest.

Kibale Forest is located almost at the foot of the “Mountains of the Moon”. Here you can enjoy a guided nature walk, with scenic views of the rolling hills, green valleys and large banana plantations. You will get a glimpse of the village life and visit a traditional healer at this home.

Kibale Forest is surrounded by large, green tea plantations and therefore your stay at Primate Lodge Kibale cannot go without a visit to one of the tea estates. Touch the fresh tea leaves and watch the workers tipping, plucking and weeding. Of course you are invited to participate! At the tea factory you will witness the progress of transforming the leaves to black (made) tea and you will get a taste of the final product!