Uganda is a fantastic destination for trekking chimpanzees, and you can do so in several national parks and forest reserves. Here are some of the top places for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda:

Kibale Forest National Park: Kibale is renowned as the "Primate Capital of the World" and offers some of the best opportunities for chimpanzee tracking. Click here to view mountain gorilla trekking safaris.

Kibale Forest National Park is home to a large population of chimpanzees, and guided treks are available to encounter these primates in their natural habitat. Kibale Forest also supports other primate species, making it a fantastic destination for primate enthusiasts. Click here to see our recommended mountain gorilla trekking tour

Budongo Forest Reserve: Located within the Murchison Falls Conservation Area, Budongo Forest is another excellent location for chimpanzee trekking. This forest reserve is home to a significant chimpanzee population, and visitors can embark on guided walks to observe and learn about these intelligent creatures.

Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kyambura Gorge): Within Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can find Kyambura Gorge, also known as the "Valley of the Apes." Here, you can participate in chimpanzee tracking excursions. While visiting Kyambura Gorge, you may also spot other wildlife species like hippos, buffalo, and various bird species.

Semuliki National Park: Semuliki National Park is another option for chimpanzee trekking. It's situated in the western part of Uganda, near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Semuliki, you can explore the forest and have the chance to encounter chimpanzees and other primates.

Kaniyo Pabidi Forest Reserve: Located in the Budongo Forest Reserve, Kaniyo Pabidi is a protected area known for its chimpanzee habituation experience. This allows visitors to spend longer periods with a group of chimpanzees as they become habituated to human presence.

Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve: This reserve, adjacent to Semuliki National Park, also offers chimpanzee tracking opportunities. It's a lesser-known destination, providing a more intimate and less crowded experience.

To go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, you will need to secure permits, which are typically obtained through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or local tour operators. It's advisable to book your permits in advance, especially during the high tourist season, to ensure availability. Trekking with chimpanzees in Uganda is not only a thrilling adventure but also a valuable opportunity to learn about and support the conservation of these intelligent and endangered primates.

Chimpanzee trekking is considered second after mountain gorilla trekking by many tourists who visited Uganda. Just like mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking involves trekking and hiking deep in the forest, searching for chimpanzees that keep moving from one tree branch to another.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park begins in the morning with a briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority park rangers giving tourists the rules and regulations that must be followed. While trekking with chimpanzees, you will spot other able primate species and wildlife such as the red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and various bird species, among others.

Chimpanzee trekking permit

A chimpanzee trekking permit is a Ugandan legal document that allows tourists to access a chimpanzee family. A chimpanzee trekking permit is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Just like the gorilla trekking permit, chimpanzee trekking permits are limited permits per day, so tourists should book their permits 6 months prior to their travel date. The best way for tourists to get a chimpanzee trek permit is through booking with a trusted local tour operator based in Uganda.

How much is the Kibale Forest National Park chimpanzee trekking permit?

Kibale Forest National Park chimpanzee trekking permits cost $250 per traveler, which allows you to spend an hour with the allocated chimpanzee family, and chimpanzee habituation permits cost $300, which permits tourists to spend an hour with chimpanzees.

Chimpanzee trekking is done all year round; however, the best time to go chimpanzee trekking is in the dry months of June, July, August, September, and December to February. This is also regarded as the peak season because there are so many travelers for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. During the dry season, chimpanzee trekking trails can easily be accessed.