Trekking Great Apes
It’s easy to see why hanging out with great apes in the wild snags the top spot on many a bucket list. Their eyes a mirror to a not-so-distant past, their gestures and relationships so like our own. Perhaps you dream of trekking through lush forest to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda? Or visiting those charismatic redheads, the orangutans of Borneo? Powerful and moving, a primate safari is one of the most rewarding trips you’ll ever take in your life.
Gorilla and orangutan trekking
Hike deep into the forest and come face to face with a mother gorilla and her baby, the advanced sentries of a habituated family group in Uganda. Or trail orangutans as they journey through the canopies of ancient Sumatran rainforests or across scantly inhabited islands
Wealth of wildlife
Aside from gorillas and orangutans, these secret pockets of dense jungle also hide a wealth of other species, including monkeys, elephants, antelopes, and bird species by the bucket load. We’ve handpicked a couple of our favourite primate safari itineraries to inspire you…
-
Gorillas have unique nose prints, like human finger prints.
-
Orangutan means 'forest person' in Malay.
-
We share roughly 98% of our DNA with gorillas.
-
An orangutan's arm span is two metres from fingertip to fingertip.
-
Gorillas sleep in nests on the ground or in trees.
-
Orangutan's big toes are opposable.
Greystoke Mahale
Mahale Mountains, Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania
Greystoke Mahale enjoys a breathtaking position on a golden beach along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, sheltered by the lush forest of the Mahale Mountains. This isolated setting is home to the world's largest known population of chimpanzees.
Rubondo Island Lodge
Lake Victoria, Western Tanzania, Tanzania
Rubondo Island Lodge is possibly one of the most unique lodges in Africa. Situated in the south-western corner of Lake Victoria it is an adventure seekers paradise in a one-of-a-kind destination, offering a mix of wildlife and lake-based activities.
Bisate Lodge
Volcanoes National Park, Virungas and northern Rwanda, Rwanda
Bisate is the newest luxury lodge in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, home to the mountain gorillas. Owned by Wilderness Safaris the lodge offers a new level of luxury and conservation tourism to the country.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Danum Valley, Borneo, Malaysia
Borneo Rainforest Lodge, located in Sabah, is one of the most luxurious of the lodges found in Borneo. This rather special lodge offers an off the beaten track wildlife experience in the heart of the Danum Valley, surrounded by primary rainforest.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Nkuringo, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge nestles in the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes. The lodge accommodates guests in eight stone cottages, each of which has its own fireplace for keeping warm on cool evenings.
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is situated on the edge of the Parc National des Volcans. This eight room lodge has fabulous views of the Virunga Mountains and is a great base from which to trek into the mountains to hopefully see the mountain gorillas.
Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge
Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge overlooks the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Reserve in Western Uganda, close to where the gorilla treks start. Guests stay in one of the eight simple stone cottages, each of which offers stunning views over the forest canopy.
Volcanoes Virunga Lodge
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Virunga Lodge has ten cottages set in an incredible position with views of the Virunga volcanoes and shimmering lakes Ruhondo and Burera. The lodge is a great base from which to go gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park.
Buhoma Lodge
Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Buhoma Lodge is an intimate property that gives you stunning and picturesque views of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Perfectly located for gorilla tracking and various other activities in the surrounding area.
Mahogany Springs Safari Lodge
Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Mahogany Springs Safari Lodge overlooks the ecologically diverse and stunning Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The lodge offers comfortable rooms and a friendly atmosphere with a focus on high quality customer service.