Apes & Wildlife Safaris — Est. Kampala, Uganda
Africa’s Most Extraordinary
Safari Destinations
From gorilla encounters in ancient rainforests to lion-filled savannas and birding through Albertine Rift endemics — we operate across 5 countries and the continent’s most iconic wildlife corridors.
Moments Captured in the Wild
Our guides and guests bring back images that no lens can fully prepare you for. These are real scenes from our safaris — unscripted, unfiltered, unforgettable.
Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Africa’s Great Apes
East Africa is the last place on Earth where you can sit metres from wild mountain gorillas — critically endangered animals whose population numbers fewer than 1,100. This is why travellers fly thousands of miles and why Apes & Wildlife Safaris exists.
We specialise in securing gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, and in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda — and we handle everything so you don’t have to.
Our Safari Destination Countries
We operate bespoke safari itineraries across five of Africa’s most rewarding wildlife destinations. Each country offers something truly irreplaceable.
Uganda — The Pearl of Africa
Uganda packs extraordinary diversity into a compact country: mountain gorillas in Bwindi, chimps in Kibale, tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth NP, and thundering Murchison Falls. Add Kidepo Valley for the ultimate off-the-beaten-path Big Five experience.
Rwanda — Land of a Thousand Hills
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is home to nearly half the world’s mountain gorilla population. Combine gorilla trekking with golden monkey encounters, Nyungwe Forest chimpanzees, and wildlife at Akagera National Park — all within a well-organised, safe destination.
Kenya — Safari’s Heartland
Kenya wrote the rulebook on African safari. The Maasai Mara’s Great Migration, Amboseli’s elephant herds beneath Kilimanjaro, and Samburu’s rare northern species make Kenya a must. We also offer world-class birding and photography tours from 17 days.
Tanzania — Serengeti to Zanzibar
Tanzania contains some of Africa’s most iconic landscapes: the Serengeti’s endless plains, the Ngorongoro Crater’s wildlife-dense bowl, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the spice-scented beaches of Zanzibar. Our 14–16 day birding tours unlock the country’s rarest avian endemics.
Botswana — Africa’s Pristine Wilderness
Botswana prioritises low-volume, high-impact tourism. The Okavango Delta — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — offers mokoro canoe safaris, walking safaris, and some of Africa’s largest elephant herds. The Central Kalahari reveals a raw, ancient landscape unlike anywhere else on the continent.
Combined East & Southern Africa Safaris
Why choose one country when you can have three? Our cross-border safaris pair Uganda gorillas with Kenya’s Maasai Mara, or combine Rwanda’s Volcanoes with Tanzania’s Serengeti. We handle every border, visa, and transfer — seamlessly.
Explore Each Country in Detail
Select a destination to discover its national parks, wildlife, best travel seasons, and the experiences only insiders know about.
Uganda
Uganda is one of Africa’s most underrated destinations — and one of its most rewarding. Its small size belies staggering ecological diversity: alpine gorillas in the southwest, savanna elephants and lions in the west, and forest chimpanzees in the heart of the country.
With more bird species than all of Europe combined, Uganda is also the continent’s top birding destination — particularly along the Albertine Rift, home to 54 Albertine Rift endemics found nowhere else on Earth.
Best time to visit: June–September (dry) and December–February (short dry season). Gorilla trekking is year-round; permits are discounted June–August (low season).
Rwanda
Rwanda punches far above its size as a safari destination. Despite being one of Africa’s smallest nations, it hosts some of the continent’s most iconic wildlife — including roughly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas in the mist-cloaked Virunga Massif.
The country’s commitment to conservation and sustainable tourism means meticulously managed parks, top-tier lodges, and some of the best-value premium safari experiences in Africa. Combine gorilla and golden monkey permits for a dual-species day in Volcanoes National Park.
Best time to visit: June–September and December–February. Gorilla permits ($1,500/person) are available year-round but book months in advance.
Kenya
Kenya is where the word “safari” was forged. The Maasai Mara’s endless grasslands, Amboseli’s iconic elephants framed by Kilimanjaro, Samburu’s rare Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe — Kenya delivers wildlife spectacle that has no equal.
For birders, our 17-Day Kenya Birding and Photography Tour is one of the most comprehensive birding itineraries in East Africa, covering the Rift Valley lakes, Kakamega Forest, and the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
Best time to visit: July–October for the wildebeest migration. January–February for calving season. Dry-season game viewing is excellent June–October.
Tanzania
Tanzania is Africa in superlatives. The Serengeti National Park is the setting for the planet’s largest wildlife migration — 1.5 million wildebeest following ancient instinct across the plains. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and holds the densest concentration of Big Five mammals anywhere.
We offer both luxury and mid-range itineraries, including our acclaimed 6-Day Majestic Tanzania Luxury Safari and a 16-Day Classic North and East Tanzania Birding Tour covering the country’s finest avian habitats.
Best time to visit: June–October (dry season, excellent game viewing). January–March for calving season on the Serengeti’s southern plains.
Botswana
Botswana is Africa at its most untouched. With a deliberate policy of low-volume, high-value tourism, the country protects its ecosystems with exceptional rigour — and the result is wildlife encounters of breathtaking intimacy. The Okavango Delta, which floods each year from Angolan rainfall, creates a pulsating inland sea that supports lions, leopards, wild dogs, and 400+ bird species.
Combine with a Uganda gorilla trek for our ultimate Africa experience: our 15-Day Botswana Safari and Uganda Gorilla Trek pairs the two most dramatic wildlife encounters on the continent.
Best time to visit: May–October (dry season, peak wildlife viewing). June–August for the Okavango flood and largest concentrations of game.
The Apes & Wildlife Difference
We are not a booking engine. We are a Kampala-based team of passionate naturalists, birding experts, and safari guides who have trekked these forests and driven these roads ourselves.
Primate Specialists
Gorillas and chimpanzees are our heartland. We know every habituated group, every sector gate time, and every low-season permit window. Nobody secures these encounters more reliably.
Local & Independent
We are Uganda-based, owner-operated, and independent. Every shilling spent with us stays in the local economy — supporting guides, park communities, and conservation projects.
Tailor-Made Itineraries
No two safaris are the same. Whether you want 4 days or 20, budget or luxury, primates-only or Big Five — we build your itinerary from scratch around your goals and timeline.
Expert Birding Guides
With 1,000+ recorded species, Uganda is the world’s most birdable country per km². Our specialist birding guides are fluent in Albertine Rift endemics and know exactly where to find them.
4×4 Self-Drive Partner
Prefer to drive your own safari? Our trusted partner, Car Hire Africa, provides top-condition 4×4 safari vehicles with rooftop tents, camping gear, and cross-border permits across 8 countries.
Full-Service Planning
Permits, visa guidance, airport transfers, accommodation, guides, park fees, and detailed day-by-day briefings — we handle every element so you arrive ready to experience Africa fully.
Safari Tours Ready to Book
From 4-day gorilla treks to 17-day birding odysseys — every itinerary is crafted by our team and can be adjusted to your schedule, group size, and budget.
Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Gorilla Trekking Permits
Uganda gorilla permits cost $700 per person (low season: June–August, discounted from $800). Rwanda permits are $1,500 per person year-round. Golden monkey permits in Rwanda are $100. We secure all permits on your behalf — no queuing, no risk of missing out.
Best Time to Visit East Africa
The long dry season (June–October) offers the best game viewing across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Gorilla and chimp trekking is excellent year-round. Rwanda’s gorillas are accessible all year. Botswana peaks May–October as the Okavango floods and wildlife concentrates.
Visa & Entry Requirements
Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania participate in the East African Tourist Visa — a single $100 permit covering all three East African countries. Botswana offers visa-free entry to most nationalities. We provide full pre-departure visa guidance for every destination.
What to Pack for a Safari
For gorilla trekking: neutral-coloured long sleeves and trousers, sturdy waterproof boots, gardening gloves, a walking stick (provided), and a daypack. For game drives: binoculars, a zoom camera, sunscreen, and layers for morning cold. We send a full packing checklist with every confirmed booking.
Health & Safety
Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for Uganda. Anti-malarial prophylaxis is strongly recommended. COVID-19 requirements vary by country — we keep you updated on current entry conditions. All our vehicles are fully insured and our guides are first-aid certified.
Self-Drive Safaris
Prefer the freedom of driving yourself? Our sister company Car Hire Africa offers quality 4×4 safari vehicles with rooftop tents, GPS, and cross-border permits for Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, and beyond. The ultimate self-drive Africa experience.