New Uganda Chimpanzee Permit Prices 2024 – 2026

Did you know Uganda has issued new chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation permit prices? Effective 1st July 2024, a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale Forest National Park will be USD 250 per person per trek. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura Gorge will be USD 100 per person per trek. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu Forest, Bugoma Forest, and Budongo Forest costs USD 65 per person per day.

A chimpanzee habituation permit in Kibale Forest National Park costs USD 300 per person per trek. A chimpanzee habituation permit in Kalinzu Forest, Bugoma Forest, and Budongo Forest costs USD 150 per person per day. All the above prices are for anybody who is a foreign non-resident of Uganda.

Why did chimpanzee trekking permit prices increase in Uganda?

There is a reason behind every price! Uganda chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation permit prices have increased for several reasons. These include among others but are not limited to the following;

Supporting conservation efforts: The need for the Uganda tourism industry to support and sustain the conservation efforts. Chimpanzees are some of the most endangered species in the world. This is why Kibale Forest National Park is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To be able to solicit funds to support chimpanzee conservation, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) had to increase the prices of chimpanzee trekking permits and chimpanzee habituation permits.

Supporting local communities: All the chimpanzee trekking safari destinations in Uganda have a huge neighborhood of local communities. To be able to reduce the human-wildlife conflict, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has embarked on community development initiatives. These initiatives are focused on empowering communities through the tourism industry. To be able to achieve this, the government had to increase the prices for chimpanzee trekking permits and chimpanzee trekking habituation permits. When you visit Kibale National Park for a chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation adventure, you will visit the Bigodi wetland community. This is a perfect moment for you to know why the prices of chimpanzee trekking had to be increased. The people of Kibale are hospitable and have portrayed the desire to protect wildlife like never before.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority encourages travelers to further support the local communities by purchasing their locally made products. Buying a souvenir from the craft shops will create a signature of memories on your chimpanzee trekking safari. By purchasing a Uganda chimpanzee trekking permit or Uganda chimpanzee habituation permit, you are directly giving back to the community and supporting sustainable tourism in Uganda.

The increasing demand for chimpanzee trekking permits and chimpanzee habituation permits: There is no doubt that Uganda has been receiving overwhelming numbers of tourists over the past decades. Like mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking is a popular tour activity in Uganda. Kibale Forests National Park is Uganda’s major chimpanzee trekking habituation. The park has been receiving tremendous demand for chimp permits. Only a few people are allowed to trek chimpanzees a day. To be able to address the challenges related to traffic, the Uganda Wildlife Authority had to increase the prices for chimpanzee trekking permits as well as chimpanzee habituation permits.

How is chimpanzee trekking done in Uganda?

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is one of the most rewarding safari and adventure activities in Uganda. Chimpanzee trekking activity involves a group of tourists or trekkers entering the forests in search of a particular chimpanzee family. Did you know that, chimpanzees, like mountain gorillas live in families? However, chimpanzees live in bigger groups than critically endangered mountain gorillas.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda starts with a delicious breakfast at your lodge. You then transfer to the park headquarters for a pre-chimpanzee trekking briefing. The briefing will equip the trekkers with chimpanzee trekking rules and regulations. After the briefing, you will be led by a professional guide searching for these human-like apes. Did you know that chimpanzees share 98.4% of human DNA? This is why spreading and contracting human diseases is easy among the chimps. Upon meeting a chimpanzee family, trekkers are given one hour to spend in its presence. You will observe and learn about the behaviors of the chimps before returning to your lodge for a delicious lunch.

For those seeking an extended time in the presence of chimpanzees, you may opt for a chimpanzee habituation experience instead of chimpanzee trekking. For chimpanzee habituation, trekkers are allowed to spend four (4) hours in the presence of a chimpanzee family.

How to book a chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda?

Booking a chimpanzee trekking permit or chimpanzee habituation in Uganda can be done online or physically from the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala. You will have to provide a few details like your passport and visa. The easiest way to book a Uganda chimpanzee is using a reputable tour operator in Uganda. The company can also book accommodation and transportation on your behalf. It is important to book your chimpanzee permit in advance at least 30 days before your arrival. This is because chimp permits in Uganda are in high demand, especially during the high seasons (June to September and December to February).

Where to trek chimpanzees in Uganda?

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can be done in the following places;

Kibale Forest National Park
Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kalinzu Forest
Budongo Forest
Bugoma Forest
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

What to pack for a chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda?

For the best chimpanzee experience, one needs to have the right packing. Below are some of the equipment you need for a chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda;

Steady hiking shoes
Long-sleeved shirts
A pair of trousers
Insect repellants
Anti-malarial drugs
Hat or cape
Garden gloves
Water bottle
Backpack
Sunglasses
A good camera with spare batteries
Snacks that are energy-giving

What is the best time to book a chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda?

Uganda is open for tourism and chimpanzee trekking any time of the year including weekends and public holidays. The dry months of June to September and December to February are the best time to trek chimpanzees in Uganda. this is when the roads are not slippery and trekking becomes less challenging. The wet season comes with a reduction in accommodation prices and may be the best time for budget travelers to do a chimpanzee trip to Uganda. generally, the best time to trek chimps in Uganda depends on your level of experience and budget.

Now that you are everywhere you want to be about the new chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda, book yours now and create a signature of memories while satisfying your curiosity.

Sándor Jakubinyi

14:31 22 Feb 24

2019 megigazulás

12:45 21 Feb 24

We went on a two-week trip with my family, organised by Coleb from Standard Safaris.

I had my concerns about organised trips, but this one didn’t justify any of those. Everything went very smoothly, even when some problems arose with one of the cars it got fixed by next morning, the accomodations were clean and comfortable, the programs were exciting and well-balanced - everything was done to a truly high standard.

If you plan to visit Uganda and are looking for a guide, I warmly recommend Coleb and his team. In case you have a choice of drivers, go for Godwin, his presence made this trip even more enjoyable - cheerful, helpful, good sense of humour, generally a great person. Just look for the guy with a big smile and big heart:)

Bert Simoens

09:38 08 Jan 24

We recently embarked on a safari adventure with Standard Safaris in Uganda, which was truly exceptional. Our guide, Yonah, was outstanding - his kindness, knowledge, and discretion significantly enhanced our experience. He was the heart of our trip.

The local company's planning was offering a tailor-made journey that matched our interests. We saw an array of wildlife in Murchison, enjoyed rafting at Jinja, and experienced mountain biking at Sipi. A visit to Kidepo National Park was a highlight and comes highly recommended.

The vehicle provided was comfortable and reliable. We highly recommend Standard Safaris for anyone seeking an unforgettable safari in Uganda. Their professionalism and the exceptional guidance of staff like Yonah make them an great choice.

Michał Kostrzewa

00:41 15 Nov 23

We are all extremely grateful Standard Safaris for an incredible East Africa experience. I recently booked a custom trip for group of 8 people, including an 8-year-old boy, from Kampala through Queen Elizabeth National Park and on to Rwanda and Burundi. Coleb delivered on everything that was discussed and agreed upon beforehand.

The car provided was in great condition and our driver Meddy went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable, informed, and had the best possible time. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. All local services were inlcuded in (reasonable) price that we agreed, so there was no need to worry about payments during the 6 day trip. Also Standard Safaris agreed took care about safety and security by helping us organize armed ranger while in the park.

The whole trip was hassle-free and smooth. We saw amazing wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP, took in the sights of Rwanda and Burundi, and made lifelong memories.

I would happily book with Standard Safaris again in a heartbeat and recommend them wholeheartedly to anyone looking for the best East Africa trip. They provide top-notch service while ensuring you have an incredible, customized experience. If you want a hassle-free, flawlessly organized African adventure, Standard Safaris is the tour operator to book with.

Ivan Nammanda

18:31 27 Oct 23

Very organized travel operator who chose awesome guide to make our trip wonderful.

We booked a nine days trip with Standard Safaris and all was perfect from start to finish. Coleb was very prompt at replying and easy to liaise with ahead of the trip. We had done a lot of research and had an itinerary in mind and Coleb helped us to put everything together to make this happen for a very reasonable price.  On the trip we had a private vehicle for the whole tour which was exactly what we wanted. Bryan was our driver and an amazing guide - really friendly and knowledgable, working hard to find the things that we wanted to see and quickly understanding what was of interest to us/how much information to give.

Would highly recommend a trip to Uganda with Standard Safaris. We are definitely coming back soon!

MUGAIGA KENNETH

18:01 27 Oct 23

The company has very courteous tour guides with wide knowledge of fauna and frola in the whole of East Africa.
The choice of safari Lodges is good with first class treatment.
Game drive security is assured.
Almost The whole of September I was traversing through DRC, Uganda,and Rwanda on a gorilla tour and wildlife expedition.
Everything was arranged and booked perfectly by Standard Safaris.
The owner, Coleb was always helpful whenever we needed to ask questions about this gorilla safari in Uganda and beyond.
It was a complex expedition but Standard safaris and Coleb made it look amazingly easy.
I’ll recommend Standard safaris 200%, for all gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and wildlife tours in east africa.

travel uganda

16:35 27 Oct 23

This is so far the best gorilla trekking company in Uganda, and africa, by far. I had a wonderful time with Standard Safaris as a solo traveler.
My guide was excellent and our safari planner, Coleb was quick with responses and the prices were very friendly.
I’ll definitely book with Standard safaris on my next gorilla tour in Rwanda and Uganda.