Issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority through licensed tour operators, a chimpanzee trekking permit is a legal document for travelers intending to engage in chimpanzee safaris. Situated in western Uganda, Kibale Forest National Park is a majestic hidden oasis where most of the chimpanzee tracking tours are carried out. The spot is known as the best for tracking chimpanzees in the world, with over 1,500 in their natural habitats.

A chimpanzee tracking permit is only issued to persons above the age of 12. Travelers can therefore purchase their chimpanzee trekking permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) through a local registered tour operator. The whole process involves the submission of all travel documents including a valid passport and visa, vaccination cards, and other essentials.

Trusted tour operator like Standard Safaris will go their way to book you the chimpanzee trekking permit to Kibale forest, as well as lodges, other activities and transportation.

Aside from chimpanzee trekking, travelers can also engage in several other chimpanzee activities in Kibale national park like chimpanzee habituation experience, where they’ll get to spend quality time with these primate species in their natural habitats than the normal chimpanzee trekking tour. Therefore, the prices of these permits differ and are not be charged the same.

What is the cost of chimpanzee permits in Kibale national park?

The price of chimpanzee permits differs depending on nationality of the visitor. However, different chimpanzee trekking destinations offer different pricing for their permits. For instance, chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale National Park are charged 250 USD for foreign non-residents, 200 USD for foreign residents, and 180,000 UGX for East African citizens.

A chimpanzee habituation permit on the other hand goes slightly high to 300 USD for foreign non-residents, 250 USD for foreign residents, and 300,000 UGX for East African citizens per person. Chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda can only be done at Kibale National Park and Budongo forest.

Travelers are advised to book their chimpanzee permits in advance, about 30 days or 2 months in advance during peak season for proper preparations and to avoid inconveniences. Other interesting spots where chimpanzee tracking can be done in Uganda include Kalinzu forest, Kyambura gorge, Bugoma forest, Semuliki national park and Budongo forest.

When is the best time for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park?

Chimpanzee trekking is an outdoor activity that is best done when the conditions are dry and favor navigation. Uganda receives an equatorial climate and hence has two dry and wet seasons annually. The dry season is characterized by humid temperatures with limited rainfall patterns. The dry season is the best time for a chimpanzee trekking experience in this national park. The dry season runs from December to February and June to September.

Chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale Forest National Park.

Kibale Forest National Park is the most formidable chimpanzee trekking destination in the country. It is known as the primate capital of the world since it harbors over 1,500 chimpanzees.

This park harbors the most chimpanzees in the country. Visitors can have an incredible trekking experience through the forest canopies as they watch chimpanzees jump from tree to tree.

Other chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda apart from Kibale National Park.

Several chimpanzee destinations in the country offer unmatched chimpanzee trekking experiences. These destinations include the following;