Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking | Top Destinations, Permits, and Prices

Uganda chimpanzee trekking tours occur in Kibale Forest National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and Budongo Forest. Guided by armed rangers, visitors trek jungles to observe habituated chimpanzees in their natural habitats, following trails marked by chimps' leftovers, or sounds. Chimps, sharing over 98% of DNA with humans, live in troops of 20-70 members led by a dominant male that maintains order and leads food searches. These herbivores feed on leaves, shoots, fruits, roots, and insects. Encountering chimps offers insights into their conservation, cultures, and unique genetic connection with humans. Book your Uganda chimpanzee tour below!

Best Uganda Chimpanzee Tours 2025/2026



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

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

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

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

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.

Popular Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Questions & Answers

Below are some of the most popular Uganda chimpanzee trekking questions and answers.

  1. Where does chimpanzee trekking take place in Uganda? Chimpanzee trekking tours in Uganda occur in Kibale Forest National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and Budongo Forest.
  2. What is chimpanzee trekking? It involves trekking through the jungle to locate and spend time with habituated chimpanzees in their natural habitat, guided by a trained and armed ranger.
  3. What can tourists expect to see on chimpanzee trekking trails? Trails may have chimpanzee droppings, leftovers, or signs like moving branches and the sound of chimps.
  4. Why is encountering chimpanzees in the wild special? It provides insights into their conservation history, behaviors, and genetic similarities to humans.
  5. How closely related are chimpanzees to humans? Chimpanzees share over 98% of their DNA with humans.
  6. What is a chimpanzee troop? A troop is a community of chimpanzees, typically consisting of 20-70 members, led by a dominant male.
  7. What does a dominant male chimpanzee do? It maintains order, ensures security, and leads the group in search of food.
  8. What do chimpanzees eat? Chimpanzees are herbivores that feed on leaves, shoots, fruits, roots, and insects.
  9. What are the best places for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda? Kibale Forest National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and Budongo Forest.
  10. Why is Kibale Forest National Park popular for chimpanzee trekking? It is home to 13 primate species, including endangered chimpanzees, and offers both trekking and habituation experiences.
  11. What is the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Kibale? It is a full-day activity that allows tourists to observe a troop undergoing habituation.
  12. What time does trekking in Kibale start? It begins at 8:30 AM with a briefing session.
  13. What makes Budongo Forest special? Budongo is East Africa’s largest tropical forest, hosting around 700 chimpanzees and other wildlife species.
  14. Where is Budongo Forest located? It is in northwest Uganda, near the Kichumbanyobo gate of Murchison Falls National Park.
  15. When does trekking in Budongo Forest start? It starts at 7:00 AM with a briefing session.
  16. What is Kyambura Gorge known for? Known as the “Valley of Apes,” it is a trekking spot within Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  17. How reliable is chimpanzee spotting in Kyambura Gorge? It is unpredictable, with about a 70% chance of spotting chimps.
  18. What makes Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary unique? It is home to 49 orphaned chimpanzees rescued from across East Africa.
  19. How do you reach Ngamba Island? By a 90-minute boat ride across Lake Victoria.
  20. What are the rules for chimpanzee trekking? Maintain a distance of 8-12 meters, avoid flash photography, and don’t trek if you have flu or cough.
  21. What is the minimum age for chimpanzee trekking? Tourists must be at least 12 years old to trek chimpanzees.
  22. Why is Kibale Forest called a primate destination? It hosts 13 primate species, including chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys, and mangabeys.
  23. What wildlife can be seen in Budongo Forest? The forest is home to 359 bird species, 9 primate species, and other animals like bushbucks and forest hogs.
  24. What is special about Kyambura Gorge? It offers a unique chimpanzee trekking experience in a dramatic setting.
  25. What precautions should be taken while trekking chimpanzees? Avoid trekking with infections, maintain the required distance, and follow the guide’s instructions.
  26. What makes chimpanzee trekking in Uganda unique? It provides a rare opportunity to observe primates in their natural habitat within diverse ecosystems.
  27. What is the best time for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda? The dry months, from June to September and December to February, are ideal.
  28. What is the trekking duration in Kibale and Budongo? Trekking typically lasts 1-3 hours, depending on the location of the chimps.
  29. What other activities are available in Ngamba Island Sanctuary? Visitors can participate in feeding and caring for the orphaned chimpanzees.
  30. Why should you visit Uganda for chimpanzee trekking? Dubbed the “Pearl of Africa,” Uganda offers an unforgettable experience of observing chimpanzees and other primates in their natural habitats.

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