Guide to Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda : Uganda is one of the best chimpanzee trekking destinations in the world and a top destination in East Africa with over 5000 chimpanzees, chimpanzees are the closest relatives to humans with a percentage of 98 of DNA composition.
In East Africa, chimpanzees are found in Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda, the best places to do chimpanzees in trekking is Uganda and Rwanda which host habituated chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the most popular safari activities in Uganda and is done in many protected areas including Kibale Forest national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kalinzu Forest, Semuliki wildlife reserve and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary which is a rehabilitation center for the rescued orphaned chimpanzees. Among the chimpanzee destinations in Uganda, Kibale Forest national park is best place to do chimpanzee trekking in Uganda as it hosts the largest population of chimpanzees in East Africa recorded to be over 1,500 chimps.
Chimpanzees are social animals living in groups however they are very mobile and found of moving deeper into the forest in search for water and food, it is hard for chimpanzees to sleep in the same place twice.
CHIMPANZEE TREKKING IN KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
Kibale Forest national park is the best chimpanzee trekking destination in East Africa, the park is a home to the largest population of chimpanzees recorded to be over 1,500 individuals.
Kibale Forest national park is located in Western Uganda, the park dominated by rainforests which hosts 13 species of primates including the chimpanzees, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest national park is conducted twice a day with morning session starting at 07 am and afternoon session starting at 12-mid day. Chimpanzee trekking experiences lasts about 3 hours depending on how far the chimps have traveled. When you spot the chimpanzees you are allowed to stay one hour, you can also take pictures as long as your flash light is off as they irritates the chimps.
Before you head into the forests of Kibale, visitors have a briefing session about the rules and regulations to follow on this activity. After the briefing you trek into the forests of Kibale with guidance of armed ranger guides, the search for chimpanzee takes approximately 2-4 hours depending on where the chimpanzee spent their previous night. As you approach the chimpanzees, you will hear their loud noise and after finding them, you will watch them playing on top of trees. Be aware of falling fruits and Urine from the chimps.
Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls national park is listed among the best chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda and is done in the Budongo Forest, Kaniyo Pabidi Forest and Rabongo Forest. These 3 sites are a home to over 600 chimpanzees, Guide to Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls national park are done in groups of 6 people and offered in 2 sessions that are morning and evening with each session lasting for about 3 hours depending on the movement of the chimpanzees, there is also a full day habituation experience.
The Budongo Forest hosts over 800 chimpanzee together with other primate species including white and black Columbus monkeys, olive baboon, blue monkeys and red monkeys.
The best time of the year for chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls national park is in the dry seasons that are October to December and June to September.
Chimpanzee Trekking In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth national park is another great chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda, the park is located in the western Uganda and chimpanzee trekking is done in the Kyambura Gorge nick named “the Valley of Apes” and the Kalinzu Forest.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge
In Kyambura Gorge there is one family of chimpanzees that is trekked, there are also other primate species including white and black Columbus monkeys and grey checked mangabeys among others.
Chimpanzee trekking in the Kyambura Gorge is done in two sessions that is morning and evening sessions with each session lasting about 2-3 hours solely depending on the movement of the chimpanzees.
The best time to trek for chimpanzees in Queen Elizabeth national park “Kyambura Gorge” is during the dry seasons in the months of June, July, August and September to Mid- October.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu Forest found in Queen Elizabeth national park hosts about 300 chimpanzees with 40 habituated individuals, chimpanzee tracking in the Kalinzu Forest is relatively cheaper than any other destination in Uganda and also the minimum age of visitors is 12 years.
Chimpanzee trekking in Semuliki Wildife Reserve
Semuliki Wildlife Reserve is a magnificent valley covered with acacia woodland hosting chimpanzees, trekking chimpanzees in the reserve is done in the morning hours and the session takes approximately 1-3 hour depending on the location of the chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee trekking in Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a rehabilitation center of 52 orphaned and rescued chimpanzees, the sanctuary is found on Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria and is run by the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust – an NGO.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary offers an opportunity to observe chimpanzees as they feed, learn how they are managed, what they feed and visit their hospital where they get medication.
Chimpanzee at Ngamba Island Sanctuary are managed by putting the female chimpanzees on birth control, Guide to Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
While at Ngamba island the guide takes through how they feed the chimps and see what they eat, you also get a chance to visit their hospital where they are treated from. The number of chimpanzees at Ngamba island is maintained by putting female chimpanzee on birth control.
Cost of chimpanzee trekking permit
| Destination | FNR [USD] | FR [USD] | EAC [SHILLINGS] |
| KIBALE NATIONAL PARK | 200 | 150 | 150,000 |
| QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK | 50 | 40 | 30,000 |
| MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK | 60 | 40 | 40,000 |
Best time for chimpanzee trekking
The best time to trek for chimpanzees in Kibale Forest national park is during the dry seasons experienced between December and early March, during the dry season months the park is crowded so you should expect to encounter other visitors.
Because the park is dominated by a rain forest, it can rain any time of the year which is why you are recommended to book a morning trek as weather conditions in the afternoon are unpredictable, Guide to Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
Rules and Regulation followed on Chimpanzee trekking
- Visitors to participate in chimpanzee tracking must be 15 years and above, however if a child is strong, fit and able to follow the instructions of guide, they can be exempted.
- Only a group of 6 people are allowed to trek the chimpanzees
- Do not mimic the chimpanzees
- Eating or drinking in the presence of the chimpanzees is prohibited
- Flash cameras are not allowed as they scare the chimpanzees and might attempt them to attack you
What to wear for chimpanzee trekking
- Sturdy hiking boots for support as you trek on a slippery trail
- Insect repellant
- Camera and binoculars
- Warm clothing to keep you warm during the trek and a rain jacket
- Plenty of drinking water
- A light backpack to carry your needed items
