Book chimpanzee permits for Kibale, Kyambura, Budongo, and Nyungwe. You can also check online for availability, prices, and any discounts.
Chimpanzees are a special kind of ape with four different species. They are bigger than bonobos and have black fur covering their bodies, except for their face, palms, hands, fingers, soles, and feet.
Female chimpanzees weigh between 27 and 50 kilograms, while males weigh between 40 and 60 kilograms. The gestation period for a female is about 8 months, which is almost the same as humans. Mothers nurse their babies until they are 3 to 4 years old and continue to care for them until they grow up.
Chimpanzee trekking usually starts in the morning at 8:00 am. Visitors spend around 2 to 3 hours searching for the chimpanzees. Once they are found, tourists are allowed one hour to watch and take pictures. Flash cameras are not allowed.
When booking a chimpanzee permit, you must give full passport details and the exact date you plan to trek—year, month, and day. This helps to check if permits are still available, as they can sell out quickly.
In Uganda, chimpanzee trekking is done at Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Kibale National Park, and Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park.
In Rwanda, you can trek chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park and Cyamudongo Forest. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is done in Virunga National Park.
Chimpanzee permits in Rwanda cost $150, and there are more than 64 permits available. In Uganda, Kibale National Park permits cost $250 per person in both low and high seasons. Kyambura Gorge permits cost $100, and Budongo Forest permits cost $130 per person.
You can book permits through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Rwanda Development Board, or with a trusted tour operator in either country. Children under 12 years and people with infections like the flu are not allowed to trek chimpanzees.
Chimpanzees live in tropical rainforests in Africa, where it can rain even during the dry season. If you are planning to go chimpanzee trekking, pack waterproof boots, garden gloves, enough drinking water, energy snacks, warm clothes, and other items you may need.
