Tracking and Trekking in East Africa

There is something primal and profoundly moving about following the trail of a wild animal through its natural habitat. The anticipation builds with each footprint in the mud, each broken branch, each distant call echoing through the forest. This is the essence of tracking and trekking in East Africa—an immersive adventure that connects you to the wilderness in ways no game drive ever can. At Chosen Expeditions, we believe that these active, intimate encounters represent the pinnacle of safari experiences. From the misty mountains of Rwanda to the dense forests of Uganda, here is your complete guide to tracking and trekking across this extraordinary region.

East Africa offers some of the world’s most remarkable tracking and trekking experiences. Whether you are following the trail of endangered mountain gorillas, searching for acrobatic golden monkeys, or trekking through forests to find chimpanzees, each journey is a unique adventure shaped by the terrain, the wildlife, and the expertise of your guides. Here is everything you need to know about these unforgettable experiences.

The Difference Between Tracking and Trekking

While often used interchangeably, tracking and trekking represent two complementary aspects of wildlife encounters:

Tracking refers to the skill of following animal signs—footprints, dung, nests, broken vegetation—to locate a specific group or individual. This is the detective work, led by expert trackers who have spent years learning to read the forest.

Trekking describes the physical journey—the walking, climbing, and pushing through vegetation that takes you to the animals. It is the exertion, the immersion, and the adventure.

Together, tracking and trekking create a complete experience that engages both mind and body, culminating in an encounter that feels earned and deeply meaningful.

Gorilla Tracking and Trekking

The most famous of all tracking and trekking experiences in East Africa is undoubtedly mountain gorilla trekking. With fewer than 1,100 mountain gorillas remaining in the wild, spending an hour with these magnificent creatures is a privilege reserved for a fortunate few.

Where to Go

Mountain gorillas can be trekked in three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are home to over half the world’s population. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park offers the most accessible trekking with excellent infrastructure. Each destination offers a distinct experience.

What to Expect

Your gorilla tracking and trekking day begins early. After a briefing at park headquarters, you are assigned to a specific gorilla family based on your fitness level and preferences. Then you set off with your guide, trackers, and a small group of fellow trekkers.

The trek can last anywhere from 30 minutes to five hours or more, depending on where the gorillas nested the previous night. You will hike through dense forest, sometimes on steep slopes, often pushing through thick vegetation. The trackers communicate via radio, updating your guide on the gorillas’ movements.

When you finally locate the family, you have exactly one hour in their presence. This hour—watching silverbacks assert their dominance, mothers tenderly nursing infants, juveniles playfully tumbling—is the reward for your efforts. It is an experience that stays with you forever.

Preparation and Fitness

Gorilla tracking and trekking requires moderate to good physical fitness. While the experience is accessible to most reasonably active individuals, some treks are more demanding than others. We recommend:

• Regular walking and hill training in advance

• Hiring a porter for assistance with your daypack and stability on slippery trails

• Wearing sturdy, waterproof hiking boots broken in before your trip

• Carrying a walking stick (provided at park headquarters)

Golden Monkey Tracking

For those seeking a different primate experience, golden monkey tracking and trekking offers a delightful complement to gorilla trekking. Found only in the Virunga Massif, these vibrant primates with their striking orange-gold fur are a joy to observe.

The Experience

Golden monkey tracking and trekking takes place in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The trek is generally less strenuous than gorilla tracking, as golden monkeys inhabit lower altitudes and are often found in bamboo forests.

Unlike the deliberate pace of gorilla trekking, observing golden monkeys is a dynamic experience. These acrobatic primates move quickly through the bamboo, leaping between stalks, grooming each other, and caring for their young. The hour you spend with them is filled with constant movement and activity.

Best Time to Go

Golden monkey tracking and trekking is possible year-round, but the dry seasons—June to September and December to February—offer the most comfortable conditions with firmer trails and clearer visibility.

Chimpanzee Tracking and Trekking

Uganda is one of the best places in Africa for chimpanzee tracking and trekking. These intelligent, social primates share approximately 98% of their DNA with humans, and observing their behavior is endlessly fascinating.

Prime Locations

• Kibale Forest National Park: Known as the primate capital of the world, Kibale is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees and offers the highest concentration of primates in Africa.

• Budongo Forest: Located near Murchison Falls, Budongo offers excellent chimpanzee tracking with fewer visitors.

• Kyambura Gorge: Within Queen Elizabeth National Park, this underground forest offers a unique chimpanzee trekking experience.

The Experience

Chimpanzee tracking and trekking differs from gorilla trekking in several ways. Chimpanzees are more active and cover larger territories, so treks can be longer and more variable. When you locate a group, the experience is more dynamic—chimpanzees move constantly, calling to each other, feeding, and interacting. Kibale also offers a chimpanzee habituation experience, where you can spend four hours with a group undergoing habituation, gaining deeper insights into their behavior.

Wildlife Tracking on Foot

Beyond primates, several parks offer guided walking safaris and wildlife tracking and trekking experiences that allow you to explore the savannah on foot.

Guided Walking Safaris

In parks like Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and the Masai Mara, guided walking safaris offer a different perspective on wildlife. Accompanied by an armed ranger, you learn to read tracks, identify dung, and understand the smaller details of the ecosystem often missed from a vehicle.

Rhino Tracking

At the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda, walking tracking and trekking allows you to approach southern white rhinos on foot. This experience offers a unique opportunity to learn about rhino conservation while getting close to these magnificent animals.

Essential Preparation for Tracking and Trekking

Proper preparation ensures your tracking and trekking experience is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable:

Gear and Clothing

• Footwear: Waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support, thoroughly broken in

• Clothing: Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts for protection against stinging nettles and insects

• Rain Gear: Lightweight, waterproof jacket (rain is possible even in dry seasons)

• Gloves: Gardening gloves for gripping vegetation

• Daypack: Comfortable pack for water, snacks, camera, and rain gear

Physical Preparation

While you do not need to be an athlete, some preparation will enhance your experience:

• Regular walking or hiking in the months before your trip

• Stair climbing or hill walking to build endurance

• Core strengthening exercises for stability on uneven terrain

What to Bring

• Water: At least 1.5 liters per person

• Snacks: Energy bars, nuts, or fruit

• Camera: With extra batteries (cold and humidity can drain batteries)

• Binoculars: For bird and wildlife viewing during breaks

Combining Tracking and Trekking Experiences

At Chosen Expeditions, we specialize in creating itineraries that combine multiple tracking and trekking experiences into a single journey. Imagine trekking to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi, then traveling to Kibale for chimpanzee tracking, followed by a walking safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Each experience offers a different perspective, creating a comprehensive immersion in East Africa’s wildlife.

Related Trips That Match This Blog

Our itineraries are designed to showcase the best tracking and trekking experiences across East Africa:

• Ultimate Uganda Primate Safari (10 Days): Combine gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, and golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga. The complete primate experience

• Rwanda Primate Expedition (5 Days): Trek mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, with a visit to the Dian Fossey grave site.  

• Uganda & Rwanda Twin Gorilla Trek (10 Days): Experience gorilla tracking and trekking in both Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park, plus golden monkeys and chimpanzees.  

• Kibale & Queen Elizabeth Adventure (7 Days): Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, game drives in Queen Elizabeth, and a walking safari in the Ishasha sector.  

• East Africa Walking Safari (12 Days): Combine gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and guided walking safaris in Murchison Falls and the Masai Mara.  

Why Choose Chosen Expeditions for Tracking and Trekking?

At Chosen Expeditions, we understand that successful tracking and trekking experiences depend on expert guidance, careful preparation, and seamless logistics. Our guides are among the most experienced in East Africa, with decades of combined experience tracking gorillas, chimpanzees, and other wildlife.

We handle every detail—permits, accommodation, transportation, and briefings—so you can focus entirely on the experience. Whether you are a seasoned trekker or embarking on your first jungle adventure, we ensure you are matched with the right group, properly prepared, and fully supported throughout.

 Start Your Tracking and Trekking Adventure

The forests and savannahs of East Africa await, filled with the tracks of extraordinary creatures and the promise of encounters that will stay with you forever. Tracking and trekking offers a way to connect with the wild that no vehicle ever can—on foot, immersed in nature, following the trail of animals that have walked these lands for millennia.

Contact Chosen Expeditions today to begin planning your tracking and trekking adventure. Let us guide you into the heart of East Africa’s wilderness.