Chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda

What is Chimpanzee Trekking?

Chimpanzee trekking involves seeing chimpanzees in their natural habitat. It is done only when the chimpanzees have been habituated and are ready for visitor tracking. Habituation is the process of introducing human beings to the chimpanzees in their natural habitat and this process usually takes about 3 to 4 years.

Uganda is home to about 5000 chimpanzees covering Africa’s greatest population of most chimpanzee destinations. This makes chimpanzee trekking the second most activity after gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mt. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for travellers on a primate African safari.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is mostly done in the Primate capital of the World, Kibale Forest National Park. However, Uganda consists of other Chimpanzee trekking destinations such as Budongo Eco Forest, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest Reserve and Toro Semuliki Game Reserve Briefly Highlighted below;

Where can I go for Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda?

Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park is Uganda’s most popular chimpanzee destination located in western Uganda covering an area of approximately 795sqkm that is home to about 70 mammal species including over 1500 chimpanzees, forest hogs, warthogs, bush pigs, the blue and red duiker, peter duiker, bushbucks, and the rare sitatunga, 350 bird species such as Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Black-capped Apalis, Collared Apalis, Yellow-billed Duck, Anas undulata, Dusky Crimsonwing, Helmeted Guineafowl, Blue-headed Bee-eater, Nahan’s Francolin, the Masked Apalis and the Cassin’s Spinetail. 270 butterflies and other tree species.

Kibale Forest is also home to 13 endemic primate species including grey-cheeked Mangabeys, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, bush infants, and pottos.

Unlike gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park has two sessions; starting at 0800 in the Morning and 1500 in the afternoon. That means tourists can combine chimpanzee trekking with other wildlife or cultural activities for example Morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Afternoon Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park starts at the Kanyanchu Visitor’s Centre with a briefing to the tourists about the behaviours, lifestyle, park rules and regulations to follow while observing the chimpanzees in their natural sanctuary.

Thereafter, Visitors are divided into groups of 6 Pax and allocated to different habituated chimpanzee families with park rangers for safety. Later, begin the thrilling chimpanzee trekking process through the lush forests giving you a variety of viewing opportunities for wildlife. Upon meeting the chimpanzees, Visitors are granted only 1 hour of encounter as they watch the chimpanzees playing with the young ones, collecting fruits and grooming themselves. From this moment, you can collect as many memories as possible that will create the adventure of a lifetime.

Head back to the starting point where you will meet your guides and be awarded chimpanzee trekking permits.

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Kibale Forest National Park.

Visitors willing to spend more time with the chimpanzees can opt for the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience and this is only done at Kibale Forest National Park in all Chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda. Chimpanzee Habituation involves the process of introducing human presence to the chimpanzees in their natural sanctuary.

Unlike chimpanzee trekking where visitors are granted one hour, Visitors doing Chimpanzee Habituation are granted 4 hours to spend with the chimpanzees as they learn more about them. This experience is usually led by Researchers who are still studying the behaviours and lifestyles of a particular chimpanzee Family.

Budongo Eco Forest

Budongo Forest is yet another chimpanzee trekking destination located in the southern sector of Murchison Falls National Park spanning an area of about 825sqkm which makes it one of Africa’s biggest tropical rainforests. The park is home to a variety of flora and fauna including 300 tree species, Forest Elephants, moneys and Baboons.

Bird species such as Senegal thick-knee, black-headed lapwing, Denham’s bustard, grey heron, pied giant malachite, woodpecker, warblers, ducks, geese and many others also make the forest a birding destination on African safaris.

Budongo Eco Forest is home to about 200 Chimpanzee individuals with about 10 habituated chimpanzee communities which makes it a chimpanzee trekking destination. Chimpanzee trekking is done at the Kaniyo Pabidi eco-tourism site which also has two chimpanzee trekking sessions, morning and afternoon.

Visitors start with a briefing and are later grouped into groups of 6 pax who are only allowed to visit a particular chimpanzee family. Before they start the trekking process, Visitors are assigned to park rangers to improve safety and a better trekking experience.

Navigating through the park takes about 2 to 3 hours to meet chimpanzees depending on their nature. Visitors are granted only one hour to spend with the chimpanzees as they take photographs, learning their behaviours and lifestyle.

Later visitors head back to the starting point and are awarded Chimpanzee trekking Certificates which makes it a memorable Experience.

Kalinzu Forest Reserve

Kalinzu Forest is Located in Western Uganda, Bushenyi district shared by some parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kalinzu Forest Reserve consists of about 414 tree species which makes it shady throughout the year and home to about 100 chimpanzee individuals that are habituated for visitor’s experience thus making it one of Uganda’s chimpanzee trekking destinations.

Enjoy a guided Chimpanzee trekking experience through the shady forests of Kalinzu taking you for about 2 to 3 hours with great wildlife encounters in the forest such as monkeys, baboons, tree species and bird species in search of the chimpanzees.

Once you meet the chimpanzees, you are granted 1 full hour of experience with the chimpanzees as you take photographs, learn about their behaviours and watch the chimps feeding in their natural habitat which is a great guest experience.

Kyambura Gorge – (The Valley of Apes)

Kyambura Gorge lies in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Western Uganda. Kyambura Gorge is popular for its stunning biodiversity that lies in the gorge drained by River Kyambura. Kyambura Gorge is also home to about 30 Habituated chimpanzees which makes Kyambura Gorge a chimpanzee trekking destination.

Visitors go through a briefing that Highlights the rules and guidelines while observing the chimpanzees in their natural setting and are later assigned a ranger to lead the chimpanzee trekking process. Navigating through the forests takes about 2 to 3 hours to meet the chimpanzees and Visitors are granted 1 full hour of encounter with the chimpanzees as they learn more about the chimpanzees including their Lifestyle and behaviours.

How much is a Chimpanzee Trekking Permit in Uganda?

Seeing the chimpanzees in their natural habitat requires a chimpanzee trekking permit. A chimpanzee trekking permit is a document issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority allowing tourists to trek to the natural habitats of these endemic species.

However, Chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda’s Chimpanzee trekking destinations cost differently and here are some of the costs of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda;

In Kibale Forest National Park, a chimpanzee trekking permit costs USD 250 (for Foreign Non-Residents), USD 200 (for Foreign Residents) and UGX 180,000 (for East African Citizens). For travellers interested in the chimpanzee Habituation Experience, a Chimpanzee Habituation Permit Costs USD 300 (for Foreign Non-Residents), USD 250 (for Foreign Residents) and UGX 250,000 (for East African Citizens).

In Budongo Eco Forest, a chimpanzee trekking permit costs USD 200 (for Foreign Non-Residents), USD 150 (for Foreign Residents)

In Kyambura Gorge, a chimpanzee trekking permit costs USD 100 (for Foreign Non-Residents), USD 80 (for Foreign Residents) and UGX 50,000 (for East African Citizens).

In Kalinzu Forest Reserve, a chimpanzee trekking permit costs USD 130 (for Foreign Non-Residents), USD 65 (for Foreign Residents) and UGX 50,000 (for East African Citizens).