Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris

Uganda chimpanzee trekking tours takes place in Kibale Forest National Park (best place in the world to see common chimpanzees), Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Budongo Forest. These are the common places you’ll visit on your Uganda chimpanzee trekking safaris.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda involves trekking the jungle with a sole aim of locating and spending some time around habituated chimpanzees in their natural habitat, under the guidance of a trained and armed ranger guide.

On your Uganda chimpanzee trekking safaris, you will follow marked trails which are sometimes dotted with chimps’ poo, leftovers or follow the movement of branches or chimpanzee sound.

Encountering a troop of chimps in the wilderness is an experience to embrace wholeheartedly, as you get to learn their conservation history, cultures and their genetic relationship with humans.

Chimps are known to be humans’ closest relatives. They share over 98% of DNA with humans. They live in a big communities known as a troops, each containing at least 20-70 members.

A dominant male chimp is the head of the troop who usually taking control and makes major decisions on behalf every other member.

It maintains order and security and directs the group on the best route to take when looking for food.

Chimpanzees are herbivores that mainly feeding on tree leaves, shoots, fruits, roots and insects. Book Uganda chimpanzee trekking safaris with us now.

Best Chimpanzee Trekking Places in Uganda

In Uganda, Chimpanzee trekking is done in several places which among others include Kyambura gorge, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Kibale National Park, and Budongo Forest.

Kibale Forest National Park

Located in western Uganda, Kibale’s prime tourist attraction are the chimps, the forest is a vital primate destination, which among other species hosts up to 13 primate species, inclusive of the endangered chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys, Mangabeys, L’hoeste’s monkeys and other primates such as ververt monkeys, olive baboons and red tailed monkeys.

While here, visitors get the opportunity to engage in a full day chimpanzee habituation experience or half day trekking with a chimp troop which is undergoing habituation or already habituated respectively.

A chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest National Park commences at 8:30 with a briefing before heading to the jungle to start the real activity the can last between 1-3 hours depending on how far the primates have gone.

Budongo Forest Reserve

Situated in north west of Uganda is East Africa’s biggest tropical forest, Budongo which is known to harbor some of the continent’s oldest tree species.

It is located approximately 5-6 hours’ drive from Kampala just on the periphery of Murchison falls national park, next to Kichumbanyobo gate. The forest occupies an area of 793 sq km, 53% being montane forest and the rest grassland.

The reserve is home to numerous wildlife species such as over 359 bird species, 465 species of trees, 9 primate species, 289 butterfly species, and 24 species of mammals as well as 130 species of moths.

It is also recognized for its Budongo mahogany trees and numerous Chimpanzees roughly 700 chimpanzees. There are 6 groups of Chimpanzee families at this destination to be viewed by the different tourists all year round.

The Trek commences at 7:00 am with a briefing session at the gate before the guides take you to the jungle in quest for these amazing primates.

The reserve is managed both by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Jane Good all Institute.

Chimpanzee Trekking at Kyambura Gorge

Kyambura also is known as “Valley of Apes” is located in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth national park.

A perfect trekking spot for tourists who have small time to reach Kibale Forest, this gorge has only one chimpanzee group that is very mobile though very interesting to watch, a tourist who is of the age 15 and above are given chance to go and view these amazing creatures.

Trekking chimps in Kyambura is highly unpredictable unlike other destinations, due to the volatile nature of chimps here, and the trek can last for up to 4 hours with only about 70% chances of spotting them.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Situated at the shores of Lake Victoria, 49 orphaned chimpanzees rescued from across East Africa call Ngamba Island home.

It is a 90mins drive through Lake Victoria before meeting the chimps feeding and caring for each other, number tourists take to the destination to participate in the care.

Ensure that you don’t go trekking the chimpanzees in case you have flu, and cough, keep distance off 8-12m while with these apes, flash photography is prohibited, and children below the age of twelve are not allowed to go trekking.

Uganda, dubbed the Pearl of Africa offers its visitors variety on its soils, viewing primates is a one-time opportunity that no one ought to miss while on a safari in east Africa. Visit Uganda today for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience.