Chimpanzee trekking is one of the most sought-after wildlife experiences in Uganda but is usually overshadowed by gorilla trekking. The experience of visiting the chimpanzees, the human close relatives, offers an opportunity to get a closer look at the chimps in their natural environment. Uganda, also known as the pearl of Africa, is home to over 5,000 chimpanzees living both wild and captive in zoos and sanctuaries.
Like the gorillas that can be traced in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks, chimpanzee tree king requires trekking permits, which must be secured in advance. Chimpanzees share 98.7% of our DNA, making an encounter with these primates both educational and awe-inspiring. Trekking chimpanzees involves walking in the forest with a park ranger guide and escorts and spending an hour in the presence of the chimpanzees as they perform their daily work, such as vocalizing, playing, swinging, and more.
Where to do Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park, also referred to as the primate capital of the world, with 13 primates, is located in western Uganda. The park boosts chimpanzees and has a high number of chimpanzees compared to any other place in Africa. This means that the permits here are sold more expensively compared to any other place since you have a 99% chance of meeting them.
Kibale Forest National Park also offers a chimpanzee habituation experience where you get a 4-hour close encounter with the chimps. Also, tourists opt to take a nature walk, Community walk, Crater lakes tour, bird watching, and more after chimpanzee tracking. Other primates apart from chimpanzees are also in this forest, such as Galagos, common poto, L’Hoest monkey, red colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and more. Trekking permits here cost USD 250 for foreign non-residents, USD 200 for foreign residents, and UGX 200,000 for East African citizens.
Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest houses approximately 800 chimpanzees, and about 100 chimpanzees are habituated. Budongo is located near Murchison Falls National Park, and this becomes an ideal place for tourists, combining wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park and chimpanzee tracking in Budongo forest. Permits here are sold at USD 130 per person.
Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is known as the Valley of Apes, and it is located in the middle of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Trekking in Kyambura Gorge is an amazing experience since the community of chimps is in small numbers but well-studied and trained to get used to human presence. The gorge is surrounded by savannah grassland, hence offering a double experience of game drive and chimpanzee trekking adventure. The trekking permits here costs USD 50 per person.
Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Kalinzu Forest Reserve, located on the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park, is managed by the National Forestry Authority (NFA). The forest has about 320 chimpanzees and is known to be the second alternative after Kibale National Park. About 50 chimpanzees are habituated here and are always ready to be trekked. While in this forest you can spot other wildlife like birds, butterflies and more. It’s less crowded compared to any other chimpanzee trekking destination, and this provides a more intimate trekking experience. The permits here costs USD 50 per person, hence becoming most affordable to everyone.
Toro Semlik Wildlife Reserve
Toro Semlik Wildlife Reserve is located between Lake Albert and Rwenzori mountains and offers a less commercialized chimpanzee tracking experience. It’s the best for tourists seeking to explore one of the oldest protected areas in Uganda. Trekking permits here costs USD 30-60 per person.
When to book a chimpanzee trekking permit
Any time of the year, you can book your chimpanzee tracking permit, but we normally advise our clients to book in advance at least 2 to 6 months of travel, especially in the high season that occurs from June to August and December to February. Uganda, therefore, offers a perfect blend to all classes of people since all categories of tourists can be able to visit the chimpanzees. A 2-3 day can be a great safari to Uganda as you target to spot and visit the chimpanzees.
Booking a chimpanzee trekking permit is only done by the Uganda Wildlife Authority through a registered and licensed tour operator. We have a professional staff that can plan as it advises you about where to do trekking the chimpanzees.
A trekking permit is a legal document that allows you to trek in allocated protected areas, and without it, you cannot trek these beautiful creatures. This document is presented to the park warden on the day of trekking while the briefing is taking place. Our tour consultant team is ready to receive your inquiry about your chimpanzee trekking tour in Uganda.
