Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda 2025-2026

Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda 2025-2026: Where is the best place to see chimpanzees in Uganda? Where can I go for chimpanzee trekking safaris in Uganda? Chimpanzee tracking/trekking in Uganda is undoubtedly a unique primate experience offering nature lovers a lifetime opportunity to enjoy a close encounter with Eastern chimpanzees while in their natural habitat.

Trekking with chimpanzees in Uganda entirely involves visitors stepping foot into the lush forest to look for chimpanzees, an exceptional primate adventure often lasting 3o minutes to 4 hours. Uganda is one of the preferred chimpanzee-tracking safari destinations for a reason. Over 5050 chimpanzees all live in different places in Uganda with 5 major spots currently open for chimpanzee trekking safaris.

The 5 main chimpanzee tracking tour destinations in Uganda include Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Forest, and Budongo Forest. Trekking to see chimps begin in the early morning at 8:00 am with a briefing from the park office and lasts for 2-4 hours depending on visitor speed of walking.

Chimpanzee tracking Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is generally East Africa’s best chimp tracking destination, hosting up to 1500 of Uganda’s 5050 chimpanzees. Kibale NP is a premier chimpanzee tracking protected area found in Western Uganda and occupies up to 795 sq. km of land area. In Kibale, chimpanzee tracking is conducted twice a day- the morning shift which begins at 7:00 am with a briefing, and the afternoon chimpanzee trekking at 2:00 pm.

Whether it is morning or afternoon chimpanzee tracking Kibale NP, visitors are led by an experienced park guide. Treks to see Kibale chimpanzees are done on already habituated chimpanzee communities and the experience includes observing the daily behaviors of these rare apes, taking pictures, exploring their unique body gestures as the park guide interprets them.

A park guide leads a group of 6pax to search for chimpanzees and the whole adventure takes 2-4 hours inclusive of an hour of a face-to-face encounter with wild chimps in their habitat. Kibale Chimpanzee tracking permits can be reserved by Uganda safari travelers at USD250 per pax for foreign non-residents, USD 200 foreign residents, and UGX180,000 Citizens within East Africa Community. Kibale chimp permits can be booked via Maranatha Tours and Travel or directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

Available accommodation for an overnight stay in Kibale National Park includes Primate Lodge, Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Crater Safari Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, Kyaninga Lodge, Papyrus Lake Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Isunga Lodge, and others.

Chimpanzee tracking Budongo Forest

Located about 4-5 hours’ drive from Kampala, Budongo Forest is amazingly one of the five best places worth visiting in Uganda for chimpanzee tracking. Budongo protects over 800 of the 5050 Uganda chimpanzees and forms part of the extensive Murchison Falls National Park, Northwestern Uganda.

Budongo Forest is comprised of main sites such as the Busingiro Ecotourism site and Kaniyo-Pabidi. The rainforest is home to extensive mahogany and iron-wood trees. Chimp permits for Budongo Forest cost about USD130 for foreign non-residents, USD85 for East African citizens, and USD120 for foreign residents.

Kalinzu Forest

Kalinzu Forest is an exceptional chimpanzee-tracking safari spot of its own. It is one must-visit place to see chimpanzees in the wild while on Uganda safaris. Kalinzu Forest lies in Western Uganda near Queen Elizabeth National Park and shelters at least 300 chimpanzees. Chimpanzee permits for Kalinzu cost USD35 per pax making it one of the most affordable chimpanzee safari destinations in Uganda and East Africa.

The lush natural forest also protects several primate species such as L’Hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons. There are also many birds to expect to sight on chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest including sunbirds, cuckoos, black and white casqued hornbills, the great blue turacos, and more.

Kyambura Gorge

Chimpanzee tracking is one of the most exciting safari activities tourists on Uganda safari should expect while at Kyambura Gorge. The gorge lies on the Eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Uganda- it is 16km long and 1km wide with a depth of 100m.

Chimpanzee trekking permits for Kyambura Gorge cost USD 100 per person. While at Kyambura Gorge, there is a chance to also take part in other tourist activities such as birding, guided nature walks, and more. The best places or accommodation to book for an overnight stay here include Kingfisher Camp, Katara Lodge, Elephant Hub Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, and Jacana Safari Lodge.

Semliki Wildlife Reserve

Semliki Wildlife Reserve/National Park is interestingly another best place to consider a must-visit for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. The nature reserve lies in Bundibugyo, western Uganda, and hosts a significant population of Eastern chimpanzees. Like Kibale National Park, trekking chimpanzees in Semliki NP/Reserve takes about 4 hours, and while on a search for chimpanzees, there are lots of other primates to see including blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and more.

Best time to go Uganda chimpanzee tracking

Trekking to see chimpanzees in Uganda in any of the tourist sites is possible at any time of the year. However, the dry season is notably the best period to go trek chimpanzees in Kibale, Semliki, Kalinzu, Kyambura Gorge, Budongo Forest, and other tourist sites. The dry season often occurs from June, July, August, September, and December, January, February- the months of the year with low or no rainfall.

The wet season also attracts some visitors though the challenge about it is that there is too much rain occur during this period making the ground muddy and slippery. The wet or rainy months in most of these chimp tracking spots begin from March to May and October to November.

What to carry for your 2025-2026 chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda

The list of gear or equipment you will need for your 2022 chimpanzee tracking safari in Uganda includes a camera with no flashlight, waterproof rain jacket, hiking boots, backpack, insect repellent, first aid kit, long-sleeved shirt, bottled water, snacks, sunscreen, trousers, and others.