Best Places to see Chimpanzees in Uganda

Many travelers ask for the best places to see Chimpanzees in Uganda which is One of the most interesting primates to trek while on Uganda safaris. Uganda has the best places where tourists can trek or just see chimps. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is almost the second popular tracking activity after gorilla trekking.

Uganda has a high population of chimpanzees with close to 5000 of them in the county most of them in their natural habitats. There are several destinations in Uganda that are wild habitats for chimpanzees. The chimpanzee trekking spots or places to trek chimps in Uganda include Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Kalinzu Forest.

Just to see chimpanzees in Uganda, tourists can visit Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary or the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre. Here are a few details on the best places to see chimpanzees in Uganda;

Kibale National Park

Kibale Forest hosts the highest total population of chimpanzees. The park has over a thousand chimpanzees and is still home to over 13 primate species, that’s why it’s dubbed the primate capital of the world. Kibale Forest National Park is very accessible for chimpanzee trekking and a 4 days Uganda primate tracking safari is a good itinerary. You can also tailor along the trip with a visit to other parks like Murchison Falls National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Budongo Forest

Budongo forest is the closest spot from Kampala-Uganda’s capital for tourists to trek chimpanzees. The forest is part of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area. There are 2 habituated chimpanzee families that can be trekked by those interested in the activity. You can choose to have a trip to the forest just for chimp trekking or take a 4 days safari to Murchison Falls National Park.

Kyambura Gorge – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Kyambura Gorge is the only destination in Uganda where you will have to visit the chimps below sea level. The chimpanzees live in a gorge that is about 100m deep at its deepest spot. Unlike other chimpanzees, this population lives below within the gorge and make it an extraordinary experience to trek them.

However, the chimpanzees here are few and therefore sightings are not that marvelous. If you want to have a magical experience, then trek in Kyambura you may never find this experience anywhere else. The trekking safari can be tailored with a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Kalinzu forest

Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve is situated in southwestern Uganda in the district of Bushenyi. The forest is close to the Maramagambo forest of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The forest is host to numerous wildlife species with chimpanzees being the star attraction. Chimpanzee trekking in the forest is one of the top activities as it has a habituated group of chimps with about 50 individuals. There are also other chimps within the forest that are not habituated. Armed guides will lead each group of tourists to the forest for the trekking experience either for the morning or afternoon session.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Ngamba Island is the only island in Uganda where rescued chimpanzees are kept. These chimpanzees are rescued from all over the East African region and kept within the island. Here you don’t trek the chimpanzees but just see them.

The island is located within the Lake Victoria archipelago and reaching it is amazing. You take a boat cruise and pass through the equator to get to the island which is a magical island. You can visit the chimps on a day tour or even stay at the island for more than 2 days.

Uganda Wildlife Education Centre – Zoo

Located in Entebbe, a few kilometers from the airport the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre offers a Chimpanzee close-up experience: Chimpanzees are one of man’s closest relatives, and it’s great having a very close up experience with these primates. Subject to the provision of valid health proof, visitors can integrate with the chimpanzees.

With the company of the keeper, tourists can take the chimpanzees on a walk. You observe the chimps enjoy their lives on trees, learn and adapt living with other chimps in a forest-like environment. This experience helps newly rescued chimpanzees to build the confidence and trust of other chimpanzees who in turn become their long-term allies. The experience takes one hour in a controlled environment.

Each chimpanzee here has its history that the caregiver will explain to you with their behavior and challenges. Chimps are lively and enjoy being groomed and be ready to return this favor. Watch the chimps also hold their own cup of porridge, peeling a banana or asking for food.

If you love primates the chimpanzee trekking must be one of the activities you choose to undertake while on an Uganda safari. Book with us whether a chimpanzee trekking or visit to see the chimps. Chimpanzee trekking is less demanding than the popular Uganda gorilla safaris that require hiking since chimps usually live in flatter terrain.

Other primates can also be tracked as part of Uganda wildlife safari activities all through the year. With more than 20 years of expertise, we have also been planning primate tours among our top packages for Rwanda tours, Kenya safaris, and Tanzania wildlife safari packages.