Discover the Heart of Africa with Apes and Wildlife Safaris
Your Trusted African Safari Experts Across 9 Destinations
Who We Are
Apes and Wildlife Safaris is a premier East and Central African tour company headquartered in Kampala, Uganda, the heart of Africa’s most biodiverse safari region. We specialize in crafting authentic, safe, and unforgettable safari experiences across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, Burundi, Zanzibar, South Sudan, and DR Congo.
With years of hands-on experience in African tourism, we serve international travelers, European clients, travel agencies, and group tours, offering both guided safaris and self-drive adventures tailored to individual preferences.
Your Trusted Partner for Authentic, Seamless, and Unforgettable African Adventures.
Welcome to Apes and Wildlife Safaris, a premier destination management company and tour operator dedicated to showcasing the untamed beauty of Africa. Headquartered in the lush and vibrant “Pearl of Africa,” Uganda, we are the leading experts in crafting bespoke safari experiences, thrilling primate treks, and immersive cultural tours across the African continent.
Whether you are a family seeking a holiday of a lifetime, a group of friends chasing adventure, or a global travel agent looking for a reliable, high-standard ground handler, we bring the wonders of Africa to your doorstep with unrivaled professionalism.
🌍 Our African Footprint
From our operational base camp in Uganda, our expertise expands across Africa’s most iconic landscapes. We hold deep, on-the-ground knowledge and robust partnerships in over nine spectacular destinations:
• Uganda (Our Base Camp): The ultimate destination for Mountain Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking, combined with classic savanna safaris.
• Kenya & Tanzania: The theater of the Great Migration, vast plains, and legendary big cat encounters.
• Rwanda: Premium, luxury primate trekking in the pristine Volcanoes National Park.
• Botswana: Exclusive, high-end wilderness experiences in the Okavango Delta and Chobe.
• Zanzibar: The perfect post-safari tropical retreat with white-sand beaches and rich history.
• Burundi & South Sudan: Off-the-beaten-path expeditions for the intrepid, seasoned traveler.
• DR Congo: Adventurous encounters with lowland gorillas and the awe-inspiring Mount Nyiragongo.
🤝 Why Travel With Us? (The Apes & Wildlife Difference)
We understand that planning a trip to Africa requires absolute trust. We have built our reputation on exceeding the expectations of our international guests, catering specifically to the high standards of European and Western travelers, as well as maintaining seamless B2B relationships with global travel agencies.
1. Uncompromising Professionalism & European Standards
We bridge the gap between African authenticity and international expectations. From prompt, clear communication during the booking process to immaculately maintained 4×4 Land Cruisers, our services are designed to offer maximum comfort, safety, and luxury.
2. Trusted by Global Travel Agents
We are the “boots on the ground” for numerous European and international travel agencies. We understand the intricacies of handling B2B clients, offering white-label services, competitive group rates, and a guarantee that your clients are in the safest, most capable hands.
3. Group Tour Specialists
Coordinating group travel requires precision logistics. Whether it’s a specialized photography group, a university alumni trip, or a multi-generational family, we flawlessly manage accommodations, specialized multilingual guides, and tailored itineraries to keep every group member engaged and comfortable.
4. Expert, Multilingual Guides
Our guides are the heart of our safaris. Handpicked for their deep ecological knowledge, fluent communication, and warm hospitality, they are trained to international standards to ensure you feel secure, informed, and captivated throughout your journey.
🎯 Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission: To deliver safe, sustainable, and highly personalized wildlife and primate safaris that exceed the expectations of our global clientele, while directly contributing to the conservation of Africa’s natural heritage and the uplifting of local communities.
Our Vision: To be the most trusted and sought-after luxury safari operator and B2B travel partner in Africa, known for our integrity, seamless logistics, and passion for the wild.
🛡️ Your Peace of Mind is Our Priority
Your safety and financial security are paramount. We are fully licensed, insured, and partnered with leading international and local tourism boards. When you book with Apes and Wildlife Safaris, you are protected from the moment you inquire until you board your flight home.
“Let us handle the logistics, so you can lose yourself in the magic of Africa.”
Ready to Plan Your Journey?
Whether you are planning your own private getaway or you are a travel agent looking to partner with us, we are ready to assist.
Kampala, Uganda — Est. Apes & Wildlife Safaris
We Live & Breathe
African Wildlife
A proudly Uganda-based team of naturalists, birding experts, and safari guides — building tailor-made adventures across East and Southern Africa since our first gorilla trek in Bwindi.
Born in the Forests of Uganda, Built on a Love for Wildlife
Apes & Wildlife Safaris grew from a simple conviction: that encountering Africa’s great apes in the wild — eye to eye, heart rate elevated, breath held — is one of the most profound experiences a human being can have. We started here, in the misty forests of southwestern Uganda, and we have never stopped being moved by it.
We are a Kampala-based, independently owned tour operator headquartered at Upper Kololo Terrace. Our team includes specialist birding guides, certified gorilla trekking experts, wildlife naturalists, and seasoned safari drivers — all Ugandan, all passionate, all deeply familiar with the landscapes they guide through.
“Every gorilla trek is different. Every forest trail holds something unexpected. That’s why we never stop discovering East Africa — even after hundreds of safaris.”
Over the years, we have expanded our operations to cover Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana — five of Africa’s greatest wildlife destinations, each with its own irreplaceable character. Whether you want four days in Bwindi or a 20-day sweep from the Okavango to the Serengeti, our team builds it from scratch around you.
Plan Your Safari With UsMoments That Define Us
Every image below was captured on an Apes & Wildlife safari — real moments, real wildlife, real guests whose lives were changed by Africa.
What We Stand For
Every decision we make — from which lodges we recommend to how we run our treks — is guided by these core commitments.
Primate Conservation First
We operate within Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board guidelines at all times. Our treks are capped, our guides are certified, and a portion of every booking supports gorilla conservation.
Local Ownership
We are Ugandan-owned and operated. When you book with us, your money stays in East Africa — supporting our guides, their families, park communities, and local accommodation partners.
Truly Tailor-Made
No two clients have the same safari. We don’t sell off-the-shelf tours. We listen, we plan, and we deliver an experience calibrated to exactly what you want — budget, dates, interests, group size.
Birding Excellence
Uganda has recorded over 1,050 bird species. Our specialist birding guides carry decades of field experience and know exactly where to find the rarest Albertine Rift endemics in any season.
Honest & Transparent
No hidden fees. No misleading inclusions. Our quotes are itemised and our communication is direct. We tell you exactly what to expect — and we deliver it.
Sustainable Safari
We champion low-impact travel: small group sizes, carefully selected eco-lodges, responsible waste practices, and community visits that genuinely benefit local people rather than tokenise them.
How We Got Here
From our first Bwindi trek to 483 clients across five countries — here are the milestones that shaped Apes & Wildlife Safaris.
First Steps into Bwindi
Our founders — passionate Ugandan naturalists — lead their first gorilla trekking group into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The response from guests is overwhelming. The idea for a specialist company takes root.
Expanding to Chimpanzee & Birding
We add chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest and specialist birding itineraries targeting Albertine Rift endemics. Birding guests from Europe and North America begin making Apes & Wildlife their chosen Uganda operator.
Rwanda, Kenya & Tanzania Added
Client demand drives us to build partnerships and itineraries in Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park), Kenya (Maasai Mara, birding tours), and Tanzania (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Zanzibar). Our operations reach four countries.
Botswana — Okavango & Kalahari
We partner with Botswana’s finest camps to offer the ultimate combination safari: Uganda gorillas plus Okavango Delta wildlife. Our 15-Day Botswana & Uganda Gorilla Trek becomes one of our most celebrated itineraries.
483+ Clients, 5 Countries, 200+ Tours
With an ever-growing team of specialist guides, a portfolio of over 20 curated itineraries, and a community of loyal repeat clients, Apes & Wildlife Safaris continues to be Uganda’s most trusted specialist primate and birding tour operator.
The People Behind Your Safari
Our guides aren’t just drivers — they are naturalists, birding specialists, and storytellers who have spent years in the forests and savannas of East Africa.
Lead Gorilla Trekking Guide
Bwindi & Mgahinga SpecialistWith hundreds of gorilla treks in Bwindi and Mgahinga under his belt, our lead trekking guide knows every family group, every forest trail, and every ranger station intimately.
Senior Birding Guide
Albertine Rift & Uganda Birding ExpertOur senior birding specialist has recorded over 900 Uganda species. He leads all our multi-day birding itineraries through Bwindi, Kibale, Murchison, and the Albertine Rift forests.
Wildlife Safari Guide
Queen Elizabeth NP & Murchison Falls SpecialistOur wildlife guide specialises in savanna game drives across Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks, with deep knowledge of lion behaviour, elephant herds, and hippo habitats.
Rwanda & Kenya Operations Guide
Volcanoes NP & Maasai Mara SpecialistOur cross-border guide coordinates all Rwanda gorilla permits and Kenya birding and game drive safaris — fluent in Kinyarwanda, Swahili, and English, with deep expertise in the Virunga Massif.
Our Safari Specialities
From gorilla encounters at dawn to 17-day birding odysseys, these are the experiences our guests return for — and recommend to every traveller they know.
Gorilla Trekking — Uganda & Rwanda
Encounter habituated mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga (Uganda) and Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda). We secure permits from $700 (Uganda) and $1,500 (Rwanda) and handle every detail of your trek.
Uganda Gorilla Safaris →
Chimpanzee Tracking — Kibale Forest
Kibale National Park holds one of Africa’s highest chimpanzee densities. Half-day permits and full-day habituation experiences are available year-round — we integrate them into virtually every Uganda itinerary.
View Uganda Itineraries →
Specialist Birding Tours
Uganda has over 1,050 recorded species — more per km² than almost anywhere on Earth. Our specialist itineraries cover all 54 Albertine Rift endemics, from the African Green Broadbill to the Shelley’s Crimsonwing.
12-Day Birding Tour →
Big Five Game Safaris
From tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth NP to Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti, we operate Big Five game safaris across three countries with expert naturalist guides on every drive.
Kenya Safari Guide →
Botswana Wilderness Safaris
The Okavango Delta and Central Kalahari offer Africa’s most intimate wildlife encounters. Our Botswana itineraries include mokoro canoe safaris, walking safaris, and elephant-dense Chobe National Park.
Botswana Safari Guide →
Multi-Country Combination Safaris
Why choose one destination when East Africa is so interconnected? We build seamless cross-border safaris combining Uganda gorillas with Rwanda golden monkeys, or Kenya’s Mara with Tanzania’s Serengeti.
All Safari Itineraries →Our Safari Destinations
We offer expert-guided safaris across five of Africa’s most compelling wildlife destinations. Click any country to explore our dedicated destination guide.
Featured Safari Itineraries
Every itinerary below was built by our team, tested in the field, and loved by our clients. All can be customised for your group, dates, and budget.
Travel Inspiration from Our Team
Our guides write from the field — gorilla permit updates, wildlife tips, birding guides, and safari advice rooted in first-hand experience.
Uganda Gorilla Permits 2026: Exclusive Low Season Discounts & Booking Guide
Read Article →
Discover the Incredible Wildlife of East Africa: A Safari Adventure
Read Article →
The Ultimate East Africa Safari: Apes, Wildlife & Adventure in Uganda & Rwanda
Read Article →Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before booking your African safari with us.
Simply email us at book@apesandwildlife.com or WhatsApp +256 709 960 384 with your preferred dates, group size, and destination (Uganda or Rwanda). We check permit availability directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board and confirm your booking within 24–48 hours. A deposit is required to secure permits.
Uganda gorilla permits cost $800 per person (high season) and $700 per person during the low season (June–August). Rwanda gorilla permits are $1,500 per person year-round. Golden monkey permits in Rwanda are $100 per person. All permits include a 1-hour gorilla encounter with a habituated family group.
Gorilla trekking is available year-round in Uganda. The two dry seasons — June to September and December to February — offer easier trail conditions and cleaner photography. The rainy seasons (March–May and October–November) have fewer visitors, lower permit prices, and the forest is dramatically lush and green.
Yes — our trusted partner Car Hire Africa specialises in 4×4 self-drive safari vehicle hire across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, and beyond. They offer rooftop tents, camping gear, GPS units, and cross-border permits. We can coordinate your self-drive safari alongside your gorilla trekking permits and accommodation bookings.
Absolutely. All our packages include airport pickup from Entebbe International Airport (Uganda), transfers between parks, and accommodation at carefully selected lodges and camps ranging from budget bandas to luxury forest lodges. We cater to all price points and preferences.
Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry into Uganda — you must carry your vaccination certificate. Anti-malarial prophylaxis is strongly recommended. We also advise Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, and Tetanus vaccinations. Please consult your doctor or travel health clinic at least 4–6 weeks before departure.
We operate tailor-made safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana. We also offer cross-border multi-country safaris combining destinations — for example, Uganda gorillas + Rwanda golden monkeys, or Kenya’s Maasai Mara + Tanzania’s Serengeti. Browse all our itineraries here.
Gorilla trekking involves hiking through dense rainforest on uneven terrain for between 1 and 8 hours depending on where the gorilla family is located that day. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Walking sticks are provided, and porters are available to assist you for a small fee. There is no upper age limit, but trekkers must be at least 15 years old.
Why Apes & Wildlife Safaris Is Uganda’s Top-Rated Tour Operator
Specialist Knowledge You Can’t Buy
Every guide on our team has spent years — not weeks — in the forests and savannas of East Africa. Our birding specialists have personally recorded over 900 Uganda species. Our gorilla guides know the personality of individual silverbacks. That depth of knowledge is what makes the difference between a good safari and one you never stop talking about.
Headquartered in Kampala, Uganda
Being based in Uganda — not a European or American office — means we work in real time with Uganda Wildlife Authority, Rwanda Development Board, and our park-level contacts. When permits become available at short notice, we hear about it first. When road conditions change, we know before you book.
A Trusted Partner Network
From our 4×4 self-drive partner Car Hire Africa to carefully vetted lodges across five countries, our partnerships are built on years of collaboration and shared standards. We only recommend what we have personally experienced and trust.
Conservation-Led Tourism
Tourism revenue is the single most powerful tool for protecting Africa’s remaining great apes and wilderness areas. Every booking with Apes & Wildlife Safaris contributes to permit fees that fund anti-poaching units, ranger salaries, and community development programmes around Uganda’s national parks. Travel with us is travel that counts.