Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda is a premier wildlife experience, offering close encounters with our closest living relatives in some of the most biologically rich forests on the continent. Uganda is considered one of the best places in East Africa for chimpanzee tracking due to its large chimpanzee populations—estimated at over 5,000 individuals—and excellent habituated chimpanzee groups available for trekking.
Best Places for Chimpanzee Tracking
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Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale is the most popular and productive destination for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda, with about 1,500 chimpanzees in the forest. It has five habituated chimpanzee groups that visitors can track for 3 to 4 hours. The forest also hosts numerous other primates, making it an exceptional primate-watching destination. Kibale offers both half-day treks and full-day chimpanzee habituation experiences where visitors can spend an entire day observing the chimps in their natural behaviors. The chimpanzee tracking permits here generally cost around $200 to $250 for foreign non-residents, with habituation permits costing around $300. -
Budongo Forest Reserve (Murchison Falls National Park area)
Budongo Forest, part of the greater Murchison Falls ecosystem, is another key site for chimpanzee tracking, with a high contact rate of about 80%. It has a rich biodiversity and is known for its excellent guiding services with a historical association with primate conservation. The permit costs here are slightly lower, at around $90 per trek. -
Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth National Park)
Kyambura Gorge offers a rewarding but somewhat more challenging chimpanzee trekking experience through a narrow gorge filled with dense forests. The chance of seeing chimpanzees here is good, and the trek takes about three hours. Permit fees in Kyambura Gorge are around $50. Visitors can trek chimps both in the morning and afternoon, with morning sessions often being more fruitful. -
Kalinzu Forest (near Queen Elizabeth National Park)
Kalinzu Forest is considered the second-best place for chimpanzee tracking after Kibale, with higher probabilities (over 90%) of chimp sightings. It features four guided trails with rich birdlife and primate diversity.
Other locations include the Semliki Forest and the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, although these are less frequented for trekking.
The Tracking Experience
Chimpanzee tracking is typically conducted in groups guided by expert trackers who follow fresh signs such as footprints, dung, nests, and sounds to locate the chimpanzees. Trekkers spend about one hour observing the chimpanzees once found, adhering to strict guidelines to minimize disturbance and prevent disease transmission. The minimum age for tracking is generally 15 years.
The trekking routes vary in difficulty and can involve walking through dense forests, muddy paths, and steep slopes. Participants are advised to wear appropriate footwear with good grip, long-sleeved clothing for protection, and carry rain gear due to the unpredictable forest weather. Binoculars are recommended for improved viewing.
Best Time to Go
The best seasons for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda are during the dry months from June to September and December to February. Trails are more passable, and spotting chimps tends to be easier. However, chimpanzee tracking can also be done year-round since chimps are active in all seasons, with slightly denser vegetation during the wet seasons making tracking more challenging.
Booking and Permits
Permits for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and should be booked well in advance, especially during peak tourism months, to secure availability. Permit prices vary by location and nationality, with foreign non-residents paying the highest fees. Booking is often done through tour operators who handle permit procurement and coordinate the tracking experience.
Conservation and Community Impact
Chimpanzee tracking contributes to the conservation of chimpanzee populations and their habitats by generating vital tourism revenue. This revenue supports park management, anti-poaching efforts, and local community development projects, strengthening the coexistence between humans and wildlife.
In summary, chimpanzee tracking in Uganda is an exceptional wildlife encounter set in some of East Africa’s most biodiverse and scenic habitats. With multiple well-managed sites like Kibale Forest and Budongo Forest, expert guides, and structured permits, visitors can expect a thrilling and educational experience observing wild chimpanzees up close, supported by strong conservation and community benefits.
To book a chimpanzee tracking safari in Uganda today, simply contact us now by sending an email to info@ugandacarrentalservices.com or call us now via +256-700135510.
