PRIMATE SAFARIS

Undoubtedly the most popular primate safaris are to East Africa. Here in the forests live some of our closest relatives and it is this that draws travellers to the region. Safari in Uganda, Rwanda or Tanzania and you will meet with chimpanzees. They are real characters, living much of the time high in the trees but coming down to travel, they spend their days in search of food and new nest sites. A number of chimpanzee groups are habituated to human presence and the best places for seeing them are Mahale Mountains in Tanzania, although the walking here can be strenuous; and Kibale Forest in Uganda. Kibale now has a programme where you can spend a day in the lives of chimps, walking with them and observing them throughout the day with expert guides. Other locations for chimpanzee safaris in East Africa are Gombe Steam in Tanzania, Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda, throughout Uganda at Budongo, Semilki and Kyambura Gorge.

Whilst chimpanzees can be boisterous and sometimes aggressive our emotional attachment to mountain gorillas is much greater. There are now over 800 of these gentle giants living in the mountain forests on the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC. To sit with them for an hour feels like a real privilege, an opportunity to enter their world among the forests of the misty volcanic mountains. To watch the antics of the young is a delight and to understand the hierarchy and positioning of the silverback and his underlings is absorbing.

Whilst on any day gorilla trekking trip you are only allowed an hour in the company of gorillas it is well worth considering a second visit to fill up on life-long memories. On a second gorilla trek you will visit a different group to the preceding day and the activities of this group may be completely different. Be sure to put the camera aside and take in the surroundings and these magnificent denizens of the forest.

If you would like advice on any of the gorilla treks or chimpanzee safaris we have done a good number of treks and are happy to discuss permits, the pros and cons of different trekking locations, the possible difficulties of the mountain trekking and the sheer thrill of the experiences!