Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking
Ugandan chimpanzee trekking. Chimpanzee trekking is the practice of seeing chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The activity begins at the forest headquarters in the morning with a briefing on the dos and don’ts. You are then divided into groups of members, each of whom is accompanied by a park guide or ranger who will take you to the forest to see the chimpanzees.
Depending on how the chimps move, the walk can take anywhere from thirty minutes to several hours. You will spend an hour or four hours with these incredible animals to observe them eating, sleeping, and playing after the chimps have been located. Depending on your luck, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda also offers the potential to see other primates, reptiles, and mammals, such as forest elephants, monkeys, and butterflies. Chimpanzee trekking is offered in three distinct sessions: morning, which begins at 8:00 am; mid-morning, which begins at noon; and afternoon, which begins at 2:00 pm all year long.
Where in Uganda Can I Go Chimpanzee Trekking?
Kibale Forest National Park
One of the greatest locations in Africa to witness chimpanzees in their natural habitat is Kibale National Park. Known as the Primate Capital, Kibale National Park is home to roughly 20 primate species, the largest density in all of Africa, and chimpanzees are one of the world’s endangered species. In addition to having 95% human DNA, chimpanzees are the second most well-known primate after mountain gorillas.
One of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences you will have in Africa is chimpanzee trekking in Kibale. The western Ugandan districts of Kabarole, Kyenjonjo, Kamwenge, and Kyegegwa are all included in Kibale Forest National Park. Approximately 1500 chimpanzees, bird species, tree species, reptiles, monkeys, butterflies, mammals, and other forest creatures can all be found in Kibale Forest National Park, a tropical forest. It takes roughly four to five hours to drive from Kampala or Entebbe.
How much do permits cost to trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park?
To see the chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park, you must have a chimpanzee trekking permit. Chimpanzee permits are purchased from the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Kampala offices, and the cost of the permit includes both entrance and guide expenses.
According to the UWA-Tariff for 2025–2026, chimpanzee trekking permits are given to persons who want to observe chimpanzees that are accustomed to humans. Once you find one, you can spend an hour with it. Non-foreign residents pay USD 250 per person, foreign residents pay USD 200 per person, and East African citizens pay Uganda shillings 200,000 per person for this permission. Additionally, you can observe the chimpanzees for four hours with a Chimpanzee Habituation Permit, which costs USD 300 for non-foreign residents, USD 250 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for citizens.
The Forest of Kalinzu
In Western Uganda’s Bushenyi area, Kalinzu Forest is situated near Queen Elizabeth National Park and Maramagambo Forest. About 414 tree species, 378 bird species, six different primate species, blue and vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, 262 butterflies, 97 moths, reptiles, and flowers may all be found in the forest. One of the main activities in Kalinzu Forest is chimpanzee trekking, and many people who have done it say the experience is well worth the money.
How much does it cost to hike with chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest?
Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest costs vary depending on how many days you want to spend there and where you stay during your safari. You may spend an hour in the Kalinzu forest with the habituated chimpanzees by purchasing a chimpanzee trekking permit, which costs $50 for a foreign non-resident and $50 for a resident per person per trek. For a successful chimpanzee trip in Kalinzu Forest, you will also need to pay for additional services like transportation, lodging, and guiding in addition to the permit.
Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Kyambura Gorge.
The Kyambura Gorge is situated in Western Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. The gorge was created to serve as Queen Elizabeth National Park’s buffer zone. Chimpanzees, Vervet Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, as well as butterflies, moths, reptiles, and flowers, are among the various primate species that call it home. One of the main activities in Kyambura Gorge is chimpanzee trekking, and many people who have done it say the experience is well worth the money.
How much does it cost to trek with chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge?
The number of days and accommodations you choose for your safari to Kyambura Gorge will determine how much the chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge costs. You can spend an hour with the habituated chimpanzees at Kyambura Gorge by purchasing a chimpanzee trekking permit, which costs $50 for a foreign non-resident and $50 for a resident per person per hike. In addition to the permit, you will need to pay for transportation, lodging, and guiding in order to have a successful chimpanzee expedition in Kyambura Gorge.
Murchsion Falls National Park’s Budongo Forest.
The Masindi district of Murchison Falls National Park in northwest Uganda is home to the tropical rain forest known as Budongo Forest Reserve. It takes four to five hours to drive from Kampala to Budongo. Entebbe provides a chance to trek and observe chimpanzees in their natural environment. The Black-and-White Colobus Monkey, Olive Baboon, Red-tailed Monkey, Blue Monkey, and Grey-cheeked Mangabey are among the other primates that are visible.
How much does it cost to hike with chimpanzees in Budongo Forest?
Uganda lodges recognized by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and National Forestry Authority oversee chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest Reserve. For individuals who wish to visit chimpanzees who are already accustomed to humans, a chimpanzee trekking permit is necessary. Once you locate a chimpanzee, you can spend up to an hour with them.
The cost of this permit is USD 85 per person for Ugandan citizens, USD 130 per person for non-foreign residents, and USD 120 per person for foreign residents. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest is offered in two sessions: morning, which begins at 8:00 am, and afternoon, which begins at midday throughout the year. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest is extremely safe during both sessions.
When is the best time to trek chimpanzees in Uganda?
The months of June through October and December through March are the best times to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. This is because the country experiences mild rainfall during this dry season, which makes it easier to trek through the forests. Additionally, the vegetation is not yet fully grown, making it easier to see the chimpanzees and providing excellent photo opportunities.
The other months of April, May, and November are typically wet seasons, which causes the vegetation to grow higher and makes sightings more difficult. However, because food is more easily accessible in the forest and chimpanzees don’t travel as far in search of food, these treks are typically shorter than those during the dry seasons.
Why choose Monumental Expeditions and Safaris to reserve chimpanzee trekking in Uganda?
Our goal at Monumental Expeditions and Safaris is to design unforgettable experiences that start as soon as you land in Africa. On all of our trips in Africa, you will have the option to participate in activities that are primarily life-changing and provide hope to the communities while also conserving for future generations. These activities include planting trees, volunteering, and packing for a purpose, among others. Our goal is to change the way that people typically travel through Africa.
Your adventure safari is expertly organized and run, from our airport meet and greet and welcome services to our individual and group transfers to safari spots. We are really concerned about protecting the environment, therefore we try to avoid packing non-recyclable products on all of our excursions and instead bring reusable items like water bottles, among other crucial environmental protection measures.