Book chimpanzee permits for Kibale, Kyambura, Budongo & Nyungwe. Also check online availability, prices & discounts.
Chimpanzees are a remarkable species of apes that can be divided into four species. They are larger than bonobo monkeys, with bodies covered in black fur, except for their face, palms, hands, fingers, soles, and feet.
A female chimpanzee can weigh between 27-50 kilograms, while males can weigh between 40-60 kilograms. The gestation period for a female chimpanzee is approximately 8 months, which is almost similar to humans. Female chimpanzees wean their babies until they reach about 3-4 years of age, maintaining a close relationship until the baby matures.
Chimpanzee trekking typically begins in the morning at 8 am, and tourists spend about 2-3 hours searching for the apes. Once tourists find the chimpanzees, they are allowed one hour for observation and photography. The use of flash cameras is not permitted.
When booking chimpanzee permits, ensure that you provide full details from your passport, including the year, month, and date of trekking, to check permit availability, as they may run out due to high demand. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is available at Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Kibale National Park, and Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park.
Rwanda chimpanzee trekking can also be enjoyed at Nyungwe Forest National Park and Cyamudongo Forest, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it can be done at Virunga National Park.
Rwanda charges $150 for chimpanzee permits, with over 64 permits available. The cost of chimpanzee permits is $200 in Uganda for both low and high seasons in Kibale National Park. Kyambura Gorge permits cost $50 during both the dry and rainy seasons, and Budongo Forest chimpanzee permits cost $90 per person.
Chimpanzee permits can be booked through Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda, Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda, or through a tour operator in any of these countries. Chimpanzee permits are not available for children under the age of twelve years and for people with infections such as the flu.
Chimpanzees inhabit tropical rain-forests in Africa that receive substantial rainfall even during the dry season. Tourists planning for chimpanzee trekking can bring waterproof boots, garden gloves, plenty of drinking water, energy snacks, warm clothing, and other necessary items.
