Top Chimpanzee Destinations in Uganda

Travellers planning for a primate safari in Africa especially chimpanzee trekking, you have got reached. This is an exciting and popular activity in Uganda, ranking second only to gorilla trekking. Chimpanzee trekking involves immersing your self into the tropical rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzees and upon seeing them you will spend an hour with the intelligent chimpanzees in their natural habitat, Uganda is noted for having the highest population densities of chimpanzee and chimpanzee trekking may be done in a several destinations across the country. Top chimpanzee destinations in Uganda include Africa’s strong hold Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo Forest Reserve, Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Forest, Bugoma Forest, among others. Bugoma Forest.

Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park, is Uganda’s top chimpanzee trekking destination, boasting the largest concentration of chimps in Africa. The park is home to around 1,500 chimps and other primates, including black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys, l’Hoest monkeys, and olive baboons. With a 90% chance of sightings, the park is easily accessible from Kampala or Entebbe and offers tracking excursions twice a day. Tracking permits can be booked through the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Chimp habituation experiences are also available, with full-day trips allowing visitors to join the chimps from their nest break to their night nesting. Kibale is a famous wildlife destination with epiphyte-covered passes, tangled undergrowth, and sun-dazzled glades. The park also offers chimp habituation experiences, where wild chimps are educated to become accustomed to human presence. The chimp habituation experience takes two to three years to complete, and participants can spend four hours with the chimps in their natural habitat.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kalinzu Forest.

Kalinzu Forest Reserve in Uganda is a popular chimp attraction, home to various primates like blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and olive baboons. Chimpanzee trekking is a popular activity, allowing tourists to spend an hour with habituated chimpanzees in their natural environment. The forest is located in the Bushenyi District, near Queen Elizabeth National Park and Maramagambo Forest. Chimpanzee trekking is also available in Kibale Forest National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, and Budongo Forest.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge.

Kyambura Gorge is one of the top chimpanzee destinations in Uganda located in Queen Elizabeth National Park in southwestern part of the country, and the third visited destination for chimp trekking after Kibale National Park and Budongo Forest reserve. It offers higher chances of seeing chimpanzees in the dense forested valley created by the Kyambura River’s erosion. Uganda Wildlife Authority issues out chimpanzee trekking permits, a document or a pass that grants visitors permission to conduct the chimpanzee trekking activity. Other Park activities to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park, include game drives, predator tracking, community visits, boat rides and birdwatching, among others.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest.

Budongo Forest is a profound chimp trekking site located in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest protected area. It offers chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation experiences, where chimps learn to get used to humans, and it is conducted mainly during the low season from March to May and October to November. The forest has a high sighting rate for chimpanzees, with a contact rate over 80% compared to other forest reserves. Activities to do in Murchison Falls include chimp trekking, game drives, and boat rides. Permits for tracking can be booked with the National Forestry Authority, and well-trained guides provide in-depth knowledge due to a connection with the Jane Goodall Institute.

Bugoma Forest-Top Chimpanzee Destinations in Uganda

This newly elevated forest reserve is one of the remarkable destinations in Uganda with several chimpanzee population totaling to about 500 chimpanzees, which is over 10 % to the total number of chimpanzees in Uganda. This forest reserve is located next to Lake Albert in western Uganda, established in 1932 and its under the National Forestry Authority. On 15 August 2024 it opened officially for chimpanzee trekking at a cost of $80 per person. Other primates to see include the blue monkeys, red-tailed, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, forest elephants, cape buffalos and several antelopes.

Chimpanzee Trekking Experience in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda takes place in areas like Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, and Kyambura Gorge. It starts early in the morning with a briefing on rules and regulations to follow. After the briefing, groups of 8 are formed, each assigned to a habituated chimp family with a knowledgeable ranger guide. The trek lasts 2 to 4 hours, depending on the chimps’ location and movement of the chimps as they search for food. During the trek, you might also see other primates, birds, and various plants. On seeing the chimps, you can spend one hour observing their behaviour, including feeding and playing, as well as taking memorable photos and videos.

What is the best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda- Top Chimpanzee Destinations in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda’s top destinations of Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest Reserve, Bugoma Forest, Kalinzu and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park can be carried out  throughout the year. However, the best time to go chimpanzee trekking is during the dry season through June to September and December to February. This is because these months receive little to no rain fall in the protected areas, making chimpanzee trekking trails dry and easily accessible than the slick and slippery trails during the rainy season.

The cost of chimpanzee Trekking Permit in Uganda

Here in Uganda, the price of chimpanzee trekking differs depending on the destination. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale National Park costs $250 for foreign non residents, $200 for foreign residents, and UGX 180,000 for East African Citizens. Budongo Forest costs $130 for non-foreign residents, $120 for foreign residents and $85 for East African Citizens. Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth costs $ 100 for non-foreign residents, $80 for foreign residents and UGX 50,000, Bugoma Chimpanzee permit costs $80 for non-foreign residents and Kalinzu Forest Reserve costs $50, among others.

How can I book a chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda- Top Chimpanzee Destinations in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda can be bought directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority by emailing or calling the park offices. They can also be obtained from a tour operator like Caracal Explorers To get a permit, contact us with your planned dates and destination. If permits are available, you will need to pay a deposit. We shall secure the permit for you and send a scanned receipt as proof of payment.

Things to pack for your chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda

Travellers planning to go for chimpanzee trekking safaris in Uganda shouldn’t miss out on the following essential items, these include hiking shoes, waterproof jacket, camera, water bottle, pair of trousers, long sleeved shirts, light backpacker, pair of binoculars, extra batteries, cotton socks, bug repellent, pair of binoculars, among others.

Conclusively, chimpanzee trekking is one of the top stunning adventure activities in Uganda that attracts both nature lovers and primate enthusiasts in the country’s dense jungles of Kibale Forest National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Budongo Forest and Bugoma Forest among others. These destinations offer exceptional experiences depending on your time of stay and preference.