Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris

Uganda chimpanzee trekking safaris are one of the most interesting primate treks while on safaris in Uganda. Chimpanzee trekking is the second popular tracking activity after gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda. Uganda has a high population of chimpanzees with close to 5000 of them in the county most of them in their natural habitats.

Where to trek chimpanzees in Uganda

Chimpanzees can be found in their different natural habitats and here are the top chimp trekking spots;

Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda has the highest population of chimpanzees in the world and therefore the slogan “world’s primate capital”. Kibale Forest National Park is host to more than 1,500 chimpanzees mostly tracked along the Kanyanchu primate walk trails. With the high chimpanzee population, you have about 99.9% chances of seeing the chimpanzees at play at any time of the day.

2. Budongo Forest

Budongo Forest is adjacent to the popular Murchison Falls National Park covering about 825 sq km and hosting more than 600 chimpanzees. The Budongo forest is the closest chimpanzee trekking destination on about 4 hours drive from the capital of Uganda. About 80 chimpanzee individuals have been habituated for chimpanzee trekking on an extensive trail of about 115 km length.

3. Kyambura Gorge

Kyambura Gorge is about 100 m below sea level at its deepest point a reason it’s also referred to as the valley of apes. It’s situated within Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kyambura Gorge is a great place for Uganda chimpanzee trekking tours though its home to fewer chimpanzees, habituated for trekking compared to other chimp habitats.

Cost for Uganda Chimpanzee trekking safaris

	Foreign non-residents	Foreign residents	East Africans
2019 -1st July 2020
Kibale Forest National Park	150 USD	100 USD	150,000 UGX
Kyambura Gorge	50 USD	50 USD	30,000 UGX
1st July 2020 onwards	200 USD	150USD	150,000 UGX

Best time for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda

Chimpanzee tracking in both Kibale Forest National Park and Budongo Forest which are the best spots in the country is good all year round. However, chimp tracking is good from December to March and also in June and July when rainfall is less.

How to see chimpanzees in Uganda without trekking – Uganda chimpanzee trekking safaris

In case you want to see chimpanzees without taking the chimpanzee trekking experience. The best option is taking a 1 day tour to Ngamba Island and see the chimps. Ngamba island is on Lake Victoria where you take the trip from Entebbe. To have a visit to the island, you can add a day trip to your long Uganda safari either at the start or at the end.