Visiting the chimpanzees in Uganda
Many people who come to tour Uganda go to see the chimpanzees in the wild. But what actually makes chimpanzees so special? Where exactly can you find chimpanzees in Uganda? What does a trek to see them look like? And how much does chimpanzee trekking in Uganda cost? In this guide, we answer all these questions and help you plan the perfect chimpanzee trekking experience.
What makes chimpanzees so special?
Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives, sharing almost 99% of our DNA.
They look remarkably human, not only in their faces and movements but also in the way they express emotions. When you come face to face with them, the connection is immediate. You see their intelligence, watch them communicate, care for one another, play, and react to your presence.
It is a fascinating experience that often leaves a lasting impression. For many travelers, meeting wild chimpanzees becomes one of the most memorable moments of their safari in Uganda.
When you stand face to face with chimpanzees, you feel very much a kinship.
Where Can You Find Chimpanzees in Uganda?
Of the travelable part of East Africa, Uganda has the largest number of chimpanzees: around 5000. About 1500 of them are found in Kibale Forest National Park. That park is also the country’s most popular destination for chimpanzee trekking adventures. In Kibale, you can choose between a morning or afternoon chimp trek. If you do the morning chimpanzee trekking during the high season months of June, July and August, it can get crowded – that is why we actually recommend booking afternoon treks during the high season. Or you can switch to other areas where the trek is less crowded.
You will also find a group of wild chimpanzees in the beautiful Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. That chimp group is smaller and slightly less habituated.
But if you would like to avoid standing watching chimpanzees with a large group of tourists at the same time, it is a very good alternative. Also, near Queen Elizabeth National Park, there is Kalinzu Forest Reserve– a community of around 300 chimpanzees lives there. This forest has the same advantages as Kyambura Gorge: you have a beautiful, pure experience with a select group.
The same applies to Bugoma Forest and Budongo Forest Reserves near Murchison Falls. An additional advantage of these alternative places for a chimpanzee trekking: they are generally more affordable than Kibale Forest National Park. They are good alternatives for travelers looking for great value.
You are having a beautiful, pure experience with a select group.
What does chimpanzee trekking in Uganda look like?
Your chimpanzee trekking adventure begins with a short briefing at the park headquarters. An experienced ranger will tell you what you are going to do and what the activity entails.
You will be given do’s and don’ts. You will then set off into the forest in a small group, accompanied by one or two ranger guides. Because chimpanzees are wild animals, every trek is different. Sometimes they are found within an hour, while on other days the search may take 2 or 3 hours. The excitement of tracking them through the forest is all part of the experience.
Once the chimpanzees are located, you will spend one hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watch them feed, groom one another, play, communicate, and move effortlessly through the trees. It is a fascinating glimpse into the lives of our closest living relatives.
Your ranger guide will help you understand everything you are seeing. They know each chimpanzee family well and can identify individual members, explain their social relationships, describe their behavior, and share interesting facts about their diet, communication, and daily lives. So, you learn a lot about the behavior of the chimpanzees.
You learn a lot about the behavior of chimpanzees.
Is a chimpanzee trek suitable for everyone?
Good to know: chimpanzee trekking is generally less physically demanding than gorilla trekking. In Kibale Forest National Park, the trails are mostly gentle and fairly flat, making the trek suitable for most travelers with a reasonable level of fitness.
Some locations are more challenging than others. Kyambura Gorge, for example, involves steep climbs in and out of the gorge and is better suited to active travelers. Budongo Forest offers easier terrain and is a good option for those looking for a more relaxed hike.
The minimum age for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is 12 years. This requirement is in place for both safety reasons and the physical demands of the activity.
Practical tips for your chimpanzee trekking
There are so many tips, but we have listed a few important ones for you:
- Make sure you have sturdy, broken-in hiking boots/shoes
- (Garden) gloves for extra hand protection.
- A lightweight and breathable raincoat; it is still the rainforest, after all.
- Always put on long pants during your trek. Just comfortable pants will do. You don’t necessarily need to wear an Indiana Jones outfit to do the trek.
- Come with long socks that you can pull over your trouser legs so that termites and insects don’t climb up your pants.
- Use plenty of insect repellent.
- Apply sunscreen – even though you are walking in the jungle, you need to protect yourself well from the sun.
- If you have some difficulty walking: bring an extendable walking stick. That will help you during the hike.
- Fill your water bottle before you start the trek.
- Regarding food: you are not allowed to eat in the presence of the chimpanzees, but you can have a snack before or after. Consider protein bars.
How much does a chimpanzee trekking permit cost?
The costs of for the four locations where you can go on a chimpanzee trek vary. As of July 2, 2026, the costs are as follows:
- Kibale Forest National Park: $250
- Bugoma Forest: 200
- Kyambura Gorge: $100
- Budongo Forest: $120 in the high season, $110 in the low season
- Kalinzu Forest: $150
Want to know more about chimpanzees in Uganda? You can call, email, or WhatsApp Us. We enjoy answering your questions. Not done reading about this magnificent animal species yet? Then read on about other primate species in Uganda or specifically the gorilla. Already making concrete plans? Then check out the options for a Uganda tour, tailored to your wishes.
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