Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
Follow a wild chimpanzee community through Kibale Forest, our closest living relatives at eye level.
Why Uganda for chimpanzee trekking
Uganda is one of the best places in Africa to see wild chimpanzees. Several parks hold habituated communities, but Kibale National Park is the one most travellers choose: its moist tropical forest is home to around 1,500 chimpanzees and 13 primate species in all, including red colobus, black-and-white colobus and L'Hoest's monkeys.
Chimpanzees share about 98% of our DNA, and spending an hour with them is very different from a gorilla encounter. Gorillas are calm and slow; chimpanzees are loud, fast and social. You hear a community long before you see it, as pant-hoots echo through the trees and the group drums on buttress roots, then you watch them feed, groom, squabble and swing overhead.
Chimpanzee tracking vs the habituation experience
Chimpanzee tracking
The classic option. Groups set off with a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger in the morning or afternoon, follow the community's calls and trails, and spend one hour with the chimpanzees once they are found. Allow two to four hours in the forest.
Chimpanzee habituation experience
A full day with researchers and rangers following a community that is still becoming used to people. You are there from the moment they leave their night nests, and you see far more natural behaviour. Permits are fewer and sell out first, so book early.
Chimpanzee trekking permit cost in 2026
- Chimpanzee tracking, Kibale: USD $250 per person for foreign non-residents.
- Low season (April, May and November): USD $200, under the Uganda Wildlife Authority's discounted low-season permits.
- Chimpanzee habituation experience: USD $300 per person.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority has announced revised park rates from 1 January 2027. We secure permits as part of every itinerary, and our Uganda safari cost guide shows how they fit into the overall price.
What a chimpanzee trek is like
- Briefing at Kanyanchu. Treks start from the Kanyanchu visitor centre, with a ranger briefing on the rules before you enter the forest.
- Following the calls. Rangers track the community by sound and fresh signs. Trails are mostly flat but can be muddy, with roots and the odd steep bank.
- One hour with the chimpanzees. Keep at least 8 metres away, do not eat near them, and wear a mask if your ranger asks. Chimpanzees catch human illnesses, so do not trek if you are unwell.
- Age limit. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale is open to visitors aged 12 and over.
What to bring
- Waterproof hiking boots and long trousers tucked into your socks.
- A light rain jacket, since Kibale can rain in any month.
- Water, a snack, insect repellent and a camera that works in low light (no flash).
Best time to go chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking runs all year. The drier months, June to September and December to February, bring firmer trails and are the most popular. The wetter months of April, May and November are quieter, greener and come with discounted permits, and the chimpanzees are often easier to find when forest fruit is plentiful.
Combine chimpanzees with gorillas and a savannah safari
Kibale sits at the start of Uganda's classic western circuit. From the forest, the road runs south into Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives, the Kazinga Channel boat cruise and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, then on to the mountain gorillas of Bwindi. See our Uganda gorilla trekking guide and silverback gorilla guide.
These journeys include chimpanzee trekking in Kibale:
- 8-Day Uganda Safari: Gorillas, Chimps and Game Drives
- 10-Day Uganda Fly-In Primate Safari
- 12-Day Uganda Signature Safari
Or plan a tailor-made primate safari with our team.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda?
Kibale National Park in western Uganda. Its forest holds around 1,500 chimpanzees, one of the densest populations in Africa, and its habituated communities give some of the most reliable sightings anywhere.
How much is a chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda?
A Kibale chimpanzee tracking permit costs USD $250 for foreign non-residents in 2026, or USD $200 in the April, May and November low season. The full-day chimpanzee habituation experience is USD $300. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has announced revised rates from 1 January 2027.
How long does chimpanzee trekking take?
Standard tracking usually takes two to four hours in the forest, including one hour with the chimpanzees once they are found. The habituation experience spends most of the day with a community still getting used to people.
Is chimpanzee trekking harder than gorilla trekking?
Usually easier. Kibale's trails are flatter than Bwindi's hills, but chimpanzees move quickly through the forest, so expect brisk walking and the occasional scramble to keep up.
Can I do chimpanzee and gorilla trekking on the same trip?
Yes, and most travellers do. Kibale and Bwindi are linked by road through Queen Elizabeth National Park, so a single safari can include chimpanzees, a savannah game drive and the gorillas.
