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Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda – Information & Guide
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, Uganda is a popular activity and one of the most remarkable wildlife experiences, but it is underrated. If you are planning gorilla trekking or a wildlife safari, chances are you will also love to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Chimpanzee trekking is obviously one of those life-transforming experiences you could add to a trip in Uganda.
Table of Contents
- What is chimpanzee tracking?
- Where can I see chimpanzees in Uganda?
- Do I need a permit to go chimpanzee trekking?
- How many people go on a chimpanzee trek?
- How likely am I to see chimpanzees in Uganda?
- How long do I spend with the chimpanzees in Uganda?
- How much is chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda?
- How can I book a chimpanzee trek in Uganda?
- How difficult is chimpanzee trekking?
- Is chimpanzee trekking in Uganda safe?
- Is chimpanzee tracking worth it?
- What is the age limit for chimpanzee trekking?
- When is the best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda?
- Chimpanzee trekking safaris
What is chimpanzee tracking?
Chimpanzee tracking is a guided walk through the rainforest jungles in search of a habituated troop of endangered chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The trek lasts about 2–5 hours, depending on the location of the primates, and after finding them, visitors have a maximum of one hour in their presence.
You are expected to observe the chimps from a safe but intimate distance of 8–10 metres. Get up close and personal with the chimpanzees and discover their beauty, intelligence, and social structures.
Where can I see chimpanzees in Uganda?
You can go chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Semuliki National Park. Uganda is home to about 5,000 wild chimpanzees distributed in the national parks and forest reserves. Kibale Forest National Park is the best place for chimpanzee tracking, as the forest has high population densities and 98% chances of sighting them.
1. Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is home to an estimated 1,500 chimpanzees and is the most popular for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda. The park has a large population of not only chimpanzees but also other primate species within its boundaries. Kibale National Park is the only place in Uganda where chimpanzee habituation experiences are conducted and there are four habituated chimpanzee troops.
2. Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Kalinzu Forest Reserve sits near Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is managed by the Uganda National Forestry Authority (NFA) and has a total of about 300 individual chimpanzees and one habituated group. This is the lowest-cost chimpanzee trekking option in Uganda and visitors have a high chance of seeing them.
3. Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge offers chimpanzee tracking excursions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. Chimpanzee tracking here is priced lower than Kibale National Park because it is less popular. There are around 30 chimpanzees, with one habituated group. The gorge is a fairly small expanse and relatively easy to find the chimps, but it can be a longer trek if they go deep into the gorge.
4. Budongo Forest Reserve
Budongo Forest Reserve is a continuation of Murchison Falls National Park. It is located on the escarpment of the western rift, northeast of Lake Albert and northwest of the capital, Kampala. The forest reserve is home to an estimated 700 chimpanzees, with one habituated group. It is managed by Uganda Lodges and the Uganda National Forestry Authority (NFA).
5. Semliki Valley Game Reserve
Semliki Game Reserve is located at the foothills of the magnificent Rwenzori Mountain near the western border of Uganda and Congo in Kabarole district. Semliki is home to a small population of chimpanzees, which many find quite hard to find as they keep roaming far and wide.
6. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
You can also see chimpanzees on Ngamba Island, home to 52 orphaned and rescued chimpanzees. The Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (Chimpanzee Trust) is surrounded by the peaceful waters of Lake Victoria. It is approximately 23 kilometers (14 mi) south-east of Entebbe and accessible by boat.
This is a good option for travelers who want a guaranteed chimpanzee viewing experience without trekking and those who are in Uganda for a short period of time. It’s a quick drive from Entebbe or Kampala.
Most of our safaris focus on Kibale Forest, which offers a very high success rate for seeing chimpanzees, and the atmospheric Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where sightings are less certain, but the scenery is spectacular.
Do I need a permit to go chimpanzee trekking?
Yes! Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda requires you to have a chimpanzee trekking permit in order to have a good chance of seeing chimps in their natural habitat. Chimpanzees live in remote and difficult-to-access places. You can’t just roam the jungles on your own to search for them. The permit includes the cost of the chimpanzee trekking activity, entrance fees, briefing, and hiring a ranger guide.
How many people go on a chimpanzee trek?
A maximum of eight people per group are allowed to go chimpanzee trekking. This is usually intended to protect the chimps from contracting human-related diseases since they share the same DNA as humans. Multiple tracking groups usually set off at the same time from the trailhead, but they will separate themselves as they search for the chimpanzee troops.
How likely am I to see chimpanzees in Uganda?
You have around a 90% chance of seeing chimpanzees in Uganda especially in Kibale National Park. This is because of its high population of chimpanzees, habituated chimpanzee troops and the availability of tracking permits. Chimpanzee sightings in Kyambura Gorge have a reduced likelihood due to the gorge’s length, so if you’re unlucky, they might be quite a distance from the trailhead. Nevertheless, most travelers still end up seeing them.
How long do I spend with the chimpanzees in Uganda?
You will spend a maximum of one uninterrupted hour with a habituated chimpanzee group when you have found them. The one hour allotted to you may feel like it goes by very quickly, but it is enough time for you to observe the chimpanzees play around, groom and feed and take lots of photos.
How much is chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda?
A chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda costs between $50 and $200, depending on where you go tracking. There can also be a difference in price depending on whether you are just visiting, a foreign resident, or a Ugandan resident.
1. Kibale Forest National Park
Foreign Non-residents
Foreign residents
East African Citizens
$200
$150
UGX 150,000
Prices here include park entry fees.
2. Kyamburu Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Foreign Non-residents
Foreign residents
East African Citizens
$50
$50
UGX 30,000
Note: Price does not include entry fees to Queen Elizabeth National Park
3. Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Foreign Non-residents
Foreign residents
East African Citizens
$50
$40
UGX 30,000
4. Budongo Forest
Foreign Non-residents
Foreign residents
East African Citizens
Between $130 & 120
Between $120 & 110
Between $85 & 80
High season: 1st March – 31st May and 1st Oct – 31st Oct
Low season: 1st Jan – 28th Feb, 1st June – 30th Sept and Nov 1st – 31st
5. Ngamba Island
Number of persons
Foreign Non-residents per person
Foreign residents per person
1
$ 326
$ 326
2
$168
$168
3
$118
$118
4 and more
$88
$88
Note: The fee includes the cost of a speed boat or ferry to and from the Islands, entrance fee and viewing fee.
How can I book a chimpanzee trek in Uganda?
You can book your chimpanzee trekking permit by directly contacting the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) via email or telephone. However, most travelers on a chimpanzee trekking safari usually book their permits through trusted tour operators. This is the easiest option, as tour operators tend to book permits for Kibale, which has the highest number of chimpanzees and the most permits available per day.
Therefore, Stingers Africa Safaris will process a permit on your behalf at a reasonable booking date. Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda is a popular activity, and we encourage travelers to book their permits at least three months in advance due to limited availability.
How difficult is chimpanzee trekking?
Chimpanzee tracking is a relatively smooth but challenging experience for some of the elderly. The trek primarily follows forest trails, and you should be prepared to navigate the undergrowth if the chimpanzees are located away from the trails. Hiking through the forest jungles to find a troop of habituated chimpanzees is a physically demanding activity. A moderate level of physical fitness is therefore required since treks are around three hours long.
However, the trails to the chimpanzees are not difficult even though the forest is denser, and the trails can be more slippery during the rainy season. Chimpanzees in Uganda have been tracked since 1993 and the chances of seeing them in their natural habitat are excellent.
Unlike gorillas, chimpanzees typically live in low altitude areas, and the gentle terrain allows trekkers to focus their attention on the chimpanzees. However, chimpanzees are animals that move widely on their own free will. They are highly active and can plough through the forest, which means you should be comfortable moving quickly to keep up with them.
The best option to see chimpanzees in Uganda without trekking is to visit Ngamba Island. It is easily accessible by speedboat or motorized canoe, and you can visit, feed, and see the rescued orphan chimpanzees here, but remember, it’s not as thrilling as meeting them in their natural habitat.
Is chimpanzee trekking in Uganda safe?
Yes, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is absolutely safe. This is due to the different measures in place to ensure a safe and exciting experience when seeing the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Uganda is a safe destination to visit and there are rigorous security measures in place to ensure both visitors and chimpanzees are safe. The trekking rules and regulations are established by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Spending time with man’s closest relatives in their natural domain is a really humbling experience, made all the more significant by the effort put out to get there. You won’t need to worry about chimpanzee attacks as long as you pay attention to your guide and abide by the park rules.
There are a few disturbing cases in which chimpanzees attacked settlers close to the park in search of food, prompting them to destroy crops. But until then, chimpanzee tracking remains a safe experience on any Uganda safari.
Is chimpanzee tracking worth it?
Is chimpanzee trekking in Uganda worth the money? Yes, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is worth the money since you will come face-to-face with man’s closest relatives in their natural habitat. You will be visiting Kibale National Park, the best place in Africa to go chimpanzee tracking.
If you are on a fixed budget, you can either do it in Budongo forest near Murchison Falls or in Kyambura Godge in Queen Elizabeth, where tracking is cheaper than that of Kibale forest.
You will also enjoy the Bigodi swamp walk, a community-run activity that is close by. It offers the opportunity to see 5 or 6 different monkey species. You will also enjoy the dramatic scenery of Kibale National Park and Kyambura Gorge.
What is the age limit for chimpanzee trekking?
The age limit for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is 15 years. Children below the age of 15 are considered minors and are prohibited from taking part in the trekking activity. The Uganda Wildlife Authority is responsible for setting rules with regards to chimpanzee trekking, and therefore, all children under the age of 15 are not allowed to go trekking. Below are the reasons why children are restricted from trekking.
- Children get tired easily while trekking since you never know when you might come across a habituated chimpanzee troop.
- Children are also very playful and may not be as obedient as grownups. They may easily get out of order and consequently, disappear in the forest.
However, children below the age of 15 can participate in the activity after their parents’ permission and a critical examination (including their physical fitness) by the park wardens. Their parents will be required to fill out and sign a consent form. The visitor’s passport is normally used to verify age when purchasing or picking up the trekking permit.
Ngamba Chimpanzee Island in Entebbe is the best option if you are traveling with children below age and still want to see chimpanzees. There are no age restrictions here since the viewing area is enclosed.
When is the best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda?
The dry season of June to September and December to February is the best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. During this time, there is little or no rainfall in the park and accessing the trails is relatively easy because they are dry and passable. You are far less likely to get drenched due to a tropical downpour. Your trek should be made more enjoyable by the clear, sunny weather, but downpours are still likely due to Uganda’s tropical climate.
However, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can be done any time of year because of its equatorial climate. The country’s temperatures are consistent all year round with seasons separated by varying levels of rainfall. March to May is the long wet or rainy season, and October to November is the short rainy season.
There are some advantages to visiting during the wet season. Chimpanzees do not move as much because of abundant food supply. This makes them easier to find, so you might not have to trek so far. In addition, there is availability of accommodations and low-cost tours at this time of year. Because there is less demand during the rainy season, permits are also less expensive and easier to obtain.
Chimpanzee Trekking safaris
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