Primate Trekking Expeditions
Primate Trekking Expeditions are amazing to do and these offer you a chance to trek the various primates in Arica which include; Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Golden Monkeys, Pottos, Red Tailed Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys. The Primate Trekking Expeditions include transferring through dense forests, Mountainous Terrain in search of primates in the regions of Central and East Africa. You shall adventure, enhance conservation and encounter wildlife animals.
Primate trekking involves transferring in small groups of visitors to trek the primates as you engage in activities like Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Tracking, Golden Monkey Tracking in the green forest vegetation. On these adventures, you shall be led by park ranger guides who inform and transfer you along various trails in the green forest where you trek the Primates for periods of 3 to 5 hours and when you meet them an hour is allowed to stay in their presence taking various photos to keep.
Destinations for Primate Trekking
Volcanoes National Park
Located in northwestern Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park offers Gorilla Trekking Tours to all travelers on safari holiday in Rwanda. The Park is part of the Virunga Mountains offering well-organized trekking adventures, high success rate of gorilla views, home to endangered golden monkeys which are exceptional to trek and watch. Trekking the Gorillas here costs US $1500 per person, Golden monkeys at US $100 and hiking Mount Volcanoes at US $75.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the Southwestern part of Uganda and known to offer amazing Gorilla Trekking Adventures as the Park includes various Gorilla Trekking Families which are led by silverback Gorillas and are amazing to trek and watch on Gorilla Safari Adventure. The Park includes; dense rainforest environment, Multiple gorilla families available for trekking, More rugged and adventurous trekking conditions. The Park offer you Gorilla Trekking experiences through very thick/ challenging trails as the vegetation is thick and tough to navigate through as you traverse from one point to another.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in Rwanda and known to offer amazing Chimpanzee Tracking Adventures to all travelers on safari in Rwanda. The Park offers chimpanzee tracking adventures which include getting briefing on conduct around the chimpanzees then later you shall follow trails traversing from one point to another watching the chimpanzees for a period of 2 to 4 hours and when you meet them an hour is allowed in their presence taking many photos to keep. The chimpanzee Tracking permit to the forest costs US $150 per person. Other than chimpanzee Tracking, visitors can engage in canopy walkway experience.
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park is located in the western part of Uganda close to Fort Portal Town and known famously to offer amazing Chimpanzee Tracking Adventures to all travelers from all over the world. Chimpanzee Tracking in the Park is the most prominent adventure and includes briefing then transferring into the green forest vegetation to trek the chimpanzees for a period of 2 to 4 hours as you traverse from one point to another. After a while, you shall meet the chimpanzees and stay in their presence taking various photos. After chimpanzee tracking, you receive your chimpanzee tracking certificate to take back with you home. You must have a chimpanzee trekking permit at US $250 per person.
Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park is located a few kilometers off the busy town of Goma. The Park is known to offer amazing Gorilla Trekking Adventures to travelers looking for amazing adventures. The Park offers Mountain Gorilla Trekking Tours and this includes getting to the headquarters where you briefed on conduct around the Gorillas then later you shall be located into groups of 8 with lead rangers who transfer you through the green forest traversing from one point to another for a period of 3 to 5 hours then after a while, you shall meet the Gorillas and stay in their presence taking many photos. After trekking Gorillas, you shall transfer and get your Gorilla Trekking certificate. The Gorilla Trekking Permit costs US $400 per person.
Types of Primate Trekking Experiences
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking is the most prominent safari adventure carried out on Primate Trekking Experiences and this offers you a chance to trek and encounter the rare species of Gorillas in their natural habitat.
Experience Includes:
Trekking through forests and mountains (1–6 hours)
One hour spent observing a gorilla family
Close-range interaction (typically 5–10 meters)
Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee Tracking is a very ideal safari adventure carried out in the various National Parks and this offers you a chance to trek and watch the rare species of Chimpanzees in their natural forest habitat.
Experience Includes:
Early morning treks
Following vocalizations and movements
Watching chimps feed, groom, and swing through trees
Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden Monkey Trekking is amazing to do as you get to trek and watch the amazing Golden Monkeys in their natural forest vegetation habitat. The Golden monkeys are smaller, lively primates found in bamboo forests and a fond of moving in groups jumping from one tree branch to another feeding on fruits, leaves as they communicate, play.
Experience Includes:
Shorter and easier treks
Excellent for photography
Ideal for those wanting a less strenuous option
What to Expect on Primate Wildlife Expeditions
Pre-Trek Briefing
Safety guidelines
Group allocation (max ~8 people)
Assignment of guides and trackers
The Trek
Duration varies from 1 to 6+ hours
Terrain can be steep, muddy, and dense
Guides cut paths and track animal movements
The Encounter
Limited to one hour for gorillas and chimpanzees
Strict rules to protect animals (distance, no flash photography, etc.)
Best Time for Primate Trekking
Dry Seasons (Recommended)
June to September
December to February
Packing List for Trekking
Essential items include:
Hiking boots (waterproof)
Long-sleeved clothing
Rain jacket
Gloves for gripping vegetation
Insect repellent
Camera (no flash)
Primate Trekking Expeditions/ Tours