Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda: What to Expect

Uganda is home to over 5,000 wild chimpanzees — our closest living relatives, sharing 98.7% of our DNA. Kibale Forest National Park offers the best chimpanzee trekking experience on Earth, and combining it with gorilla trekking in Bwindi makes for one of Africa's most extraordinary wildlife itineraries.

Why Kibale Forest?

Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda protects one of the most biodiverse tropical forests in Africa. It is home to 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species — the highest primate diversity of any protected area on Earth. The habituated chimpanzee communities here are the best studied and most accessible in Africa.

The Chimpanzee Trekking Experience

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale operates similarly to gorilla trekking. Groups of up to 6 visitors are assigned to a habituated chimp community with an experienced guide. You trek through the forest following the chimps — who can move fast and unpredictably — spending one hour observing them in their natural environment.

Unlike the relatively calm mountain gorillas, chimpanzees are loud, energetic, and exciting. They chase each other through the canopy, groom, play, and occasionally display dominance in dramatic fashion. The noise alone — hooting, drumming on tree buttresses, crashing through branches — is unforgettable.

Permit Cost & Practicalities

• Permit cost: $200 per person (habituated experience: $250)
• Group size: Maximum 6 people per chimp community
• Time with chimps: 1 hour
• Minimum age: 12 years
• Best time: Dry seasons (June–September, December–February)
• Start time: 8:00 AM — arrive at park HQ by 7:30 AM

Chimp Habituation Experience

For the ultimate chimp experience, Kibale also offers the Chimp Habituation Experience — spending a full day (6+ hours) with a semi-habituated chimpanzee community as researchers work to accustom them to human presence. This costs $250 and is extraordinarily intimate and raw.

Other Primates in Kibale

Even on the drive to the park you will spot primates. Kibale is home to red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, black-and-white colobus, L'Hoest's monkeys, and olive baboons. The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, just outside the park, is superb for birding and additional primate sightings.

Combining Chimps & Gorillas

Our most popular Uganda itinerary combines chimp trekking in Kibale with gorilla trekking in Bwindi — the ultimate primate safari. The drive between the two parks takes 4–5 hours through beautiful Ugandan highlands, with Queen Elizabeth National Park en route for game drives. See our Uganda Primates Safari (7 Days) for the full itinerary.

What to Wear & Bring

• Long-sleeved shirt and long trousers (neutral colours)
• Sturdy closed-toe shoes or hiking boots
• Insect repellent — the forest has more insects than gorilla habitat
• Camera (no flash near chimps)
• Water and snacks
• Rain jacket