Chimpanzee Trekking
Many tourists visiting Uganda choose chimpanzee trekking as one of their favourite activities. Like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking involves traversing the forest in pursuit of chimpanzees swinging from tree to tree. The trek may take a few hours or less, but once you encounter the chimpanzees, each group can spend an hour with them before returning to the camp.
Uganda boasts several chimpanzee destinations, each home to a group of chimpanzees available for trekking. Chimpanzee trekking primarily takes place in Kibale Forest National Park. Other sites include Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, and Kalinzu Forest in Bushenyi.
Chimpanzee trekking begins early in the morning, with each trek commencing with tour guides providing guidelines and rules to follow. During the trek, you may also encounter other primates and wildlife, including red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and various bird species.
Chimpanzee trekking permit
A chimpanzee trekking permit is a legal document that will give you access to the chimpanzees. The Uganda Wildlife Authority processes them, and they remain the property of the Republic of Uganda even after being issued to you. Just like the trekking permit for gorillas, limited permits are printed per day and are only valid for the date they have been printed. Few permits are printed to try as much as possible to reduce the interaction between chimpanzees and humans to conserve them. The chimps are prone to diseases, so interaction is limited.
The best way to get a chimpanzee trek permit is by booking through a trusted tour operator. Local tour operators know more about the booking process and other related costs, so letting them take up the planning process is better. The tour operators will book the permit at the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Once payment is made, a scanned copy will be sent to you via email with details on when you are to trek, the time, your name, passport details, and the unique serial number that makes it unique. Note that these permits cannot be interchanged, and it is also hard for you to get a refund if you do not make it.
Cost of the chimpanzee trekking permit
The cost of a Chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda varies according to the season. Two seasons are the peak season (the dry season) and the low season (the wet season), and they both see a variety of tourists come for chimpanzee trekking. During the peak/high season, a chimpanzee trek permit costs $1500 per day per person; during the low season, the permit can go as low as $100 per person per day in Kibaale Forest National Park. The cost of a chimpanzee permit in Budongo is $90 during both the peak and low season, and in the Kyambura gorge, the permit goes for $50.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park
Located in the southwestern part of the country, Kibale National Park has many chimpanzees, with about 1500 chimpanzees, 120 of which are habituated. The chimpanzees here can easily be located due to their high number, and the trekking is done twice a day, in the morning and afternoon. A chimpanzee trek permit in Kibaale costs $1500 during the peak season and $100 during the low season. Chimpanzee habituation is also done at the Kibale National Park, where visitors spend more time with the primates, for example, 6 hours or the whole day.
The park is ranked as the best destination for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. In addition to meeting the chimpanzees, you will also get to see other primates, including different types of monkeys like the Colobus and red-tailed monkeys, a wide variety of bird species (400), and other wildlife.
There are several places where you can stay when you go for chimpanzee tracking in the Kibale National Park, and these include the Primate Lodge, the Kyaninga Lodge,
The most favourite activity in the park is Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda. It starts from the Kanyanchu Visitor Center at 08.00 & ends at 15.00, and lasts 2-3 hours. Visitors search down the Primates during the tracking. These include black & white Colobus, grey-cheeked Mangabey, and red-tailed monkey. Your guides will show you pittas along with other bird species & will explain the tradit of different plant species within the forest. This walk is for 6 individuals per tour group. Booking is all-important during peak season.
Chimpanzee trekking in the Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary
Ngamba Island found along Lake Victoria and easily accessed by a speedboat from Entebbe, is one of the places where you can enjoy chimpanzee trekking while in Uganda. Set up by Goodall to conserve the primates, the Island part where the chimpanzees are kept is fenced off to allow the chimps to roam freely without causing damage to the neighbours. The speedboat that goes to Ngamba has two shifts, with a half trip starting in the morning and a full one starting at 5 pm.
The cost of visiting the island depends on the number of people in the group. The smaller the group, the higher the cost; the bigger the group, the lower the cost. Children from 5 to 15 years old always pay half the price before gaining entry to the sanctuary.
The sanctuary started with about 13 chimpanzees rescued by a few locals and Dr. Jane Goodall. The number of chimpanzees has grown to over 50, who have either been rescued or orphaned. You get to see the chimpanzees at different stages, get in close contact with them, and also carry out other activities like fishing, swimming, exploring the villages, and birding.
Chimpanzee trekking in the Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is home to numerous forests: the Budongo forest, the Kaniyo Pabidi and the Rabongo forest, where the chimpanzee trekking takes place. These three forests have over 600 chimpanzees, making Murchison a good destination for chimpanzee trekking. Murchison National Park is home to over 500 bird species and wildlife and is a top destination for many tourists visiting Uganda for safaris. The best time for chimpanzee trekking is from October to January because it is easier to see the chimpanzees as they hunt for food. Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison is done twice daily, the first in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
The Rabongo forest is also found within the Murchison, where trekking is carried out. There are no clear trek routes, but with a tour guide’s help, you can set out within the forest in search of the chimpanzees. When found, you will spend an hour with them. The Rabongo forest, however, has fewer chimpanzee families than the Budongo forest.
Budongo Forest is a top destination for chimpanzee trekking and has many primates. With the help of a tour guide, trekking will be easy, and you will get to see other primates like monkeys, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, and birding, among other activities.
Kaniyo Pabidi forest is home to chimpanzees, a wide range of bird species, insects, and other primates. It is one of the few in the country that has remained in its natural state without any human intervention.
Accommodation in Murchison Falls National Park is divided into three sections: the Para and Victoria Nile, the Albert Nile, and the Kaniyo Pabidi. There are Luxurious, Mid-range, and Budget accommodation facilities, and you can choose from these with your tour operator to see what works best for you.
Chimpanzee trekking in the Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best national parks that is sought after by many tourists, and it has about 17 chimpanzees available. Chimpanzee trekking here is in the Kyambura game reserve, also known as the Kyambura Gorge. The activity is best done in the mornings and takes about 1 to 2 hours. Experienced tour guides will escort you, and after the trek, you can enjoy a game drive around the National Park. Some lodges you can check out while in Kyambura include the Kyambura Gorge Safari Lodge, KingFisher Camp, Mweya Safari Lodge, Jacana Lodge and Katara Lodge.
What to pack for a chimp trek in Uganda
No one wants to carry excess luggage while on a safari because this can make it hard to enjoy the safari with extra luggage. You need to make sure that you carry what is considered essential when it comes to chimpanzee trekking, and these include the following:
- Insect repellent
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Bottled drinking water
- Long-sleeved shirts and trousers to avoid scratches on your body.
- A walking stick to ease trekking
- Camera and binoculars
- A small backpack to carry essentials like cameras and extra batteries while trekking.
- A sun hat and sunscreen.
- Trekking rules and regulations
Rules and guidelines when trekking chimpanzees
There are rules and guidelines that you need to follow to have a good chimp trekking experience. These were set up by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to protect both the primates and the visitors. Some of the regulations that you must follow include the following:
- You cannot trek if you feel sick, especially with flu and cough.
- You are to keep a distance of 8 meters between you and the chimps.
- You should always follow all the guidelines given to you by the tour guides.
- No one is allowed to feed the chimps.
- Visitors are not allowed to eat or drink near the chimpanzees.
- Do not urinate and poop in the Park, as this might cause the animals to fall sick. In case you want to poop, you must dig a hole of about 30cm deep and, after that, bury everything, including the toilet paper.
- The minimum age for chimp trekking in Uganda is 15 years.
- The tour guides are the only people who can help you gain access to the Park for trekking.
- Make sure that the camera you are using does not have a flashlight.
- Do not make noise while trekking because this irritates the chimps, and they migrate to other places.
What chimpanzee habituation involves
Chimpanzee habituation involves spending a few hours with the chimpanzees at close range. Chimp habituation refers to the process in which the chimps are trained so that they are used to human presence at all times, even during tracking. Chimpanzee habituation takes quite a long time before it is actualized, about 2 to 3 years. In Uganda, this has been achieved in the Kibaale National Park. After 3 years of training, the habituated chimps are let out so that they can start interacting with humans.
Chimpanzee habituation requires a special permit, which costs about $150 for foreign residents, $70 for East African citizens, and $220 for non-foreign residents. The permits need to be booked in advance so that you can enjoy your habituation experience.
Chimp trekking vs gorilla trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is on the rise and is a favourite for tourists. In different destinations, such as the Kibale National Park, Budongo and Queen Elizabeth National Park, tracking chimpanzees is one activity you will want to try while in Uganda. A chimpanzee trekking permit goes for $150; during the low season, it can go as low as $100 per person per day. While trekking, you get to spend an hour with the primates, observing them as they play, swing from one tree to the next and go about their daily activities.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is carried out in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Mgahinga National Park. There are rules and regulations that you must follow, like keeping a distance from the primates, not feeding them, and not using cameras with flashlights, just to mention a few. You also get to spend an hour with the gorillas, and this is done with the help of the tour guides. A gorilla permit is on the high end compared to the chimpanzee trek permit, which costs $1500 per person per day.
Chimpanzee trekking vs. Chimpanzee habituation
During Chimpanzee habituation, tourists get to spend more time with the primates. They are given about 6 hours to spend with the primates, and some get to spend the whole day with the chimps. Uganda is known to be a good place to enjoy chimp habituation and tracking simultaneously. When comparing chimp trekking and habituation, you should first consider the amount of time spent with the chimpanzees.
Chimp trekking normally involves trekking around the National Park until you see the chimpanzees, which can take 2 to 3 hours. Each group gets to spend at least an hour with the chimps after trekking. However, during chimpanzee habituation, tourists spend at least 6 hours and sometimes the whole day with the chimpanzees. While chimpanzee trekking permits cost $150, chimpanzee habituation permits cost $150.
Where else can I go for chimpanzee trekking?
In addition to chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, you can enjoy chimp trekking in the neighbouring countries of Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. Chimpanzee trekking in DRC can be done in the Virunga National Park, Gombe, and Mahale in Tanzania, and in Rwanda, it is best done in the Nyungwe Forest National Park.
What is the best time to see chimpanzees in Uganda?
Chimpanzee trekking can be carried out all year round; however, the best time to do a chimp trek is during the dry season, experienced between June to September and December to January. This is also known as the peak season because many tourists come for chimpanzee trekking in the country. During the dry season, the trek trails are passable. It is also easier to see the chimpanzees during the dry season, unlike during the rainy season when the roads become slippery and the vegetation is dense. Chimpanzee trekking can also be done during the wet season because there is plenty of food for the chimpanzees, making it easy for them to be spotted.
Chimpanzees, as well as humans, share over 98 per cent of their DNA.
However, being wild animals, chances of spotting these chimps are not always guaranteed, although they are over 95% within the Kibale Forest, hence making it the perfect destination in East Africa for chimpanzee tracking.
In addition, you are likely to take part in the fascinating habituation experience, meaning that you can actually spend the entire day with these impressive creatures.
However, because the number of chimpanzee trekking permits for each day is restricted, you are remarkably advised to book before your safari date.
Normally, lunch boxes may be offered to the trekkers participating in the habituation process since it requires the entire day.
Important to Note is that 15 years is the minimum age allowed to participate in the chimpanzee tracking experience.
What to carry along
- Wear shoes with a good grip, suitable for climbing steep, moist, muddy slopes.
- Several people feel more at ease when wearing long-sleeved clothes, as this protects them from the pricking thickets as they move through the verdant jungle.
- Do not forget rain gear since the weather here is highly unpredictable
- Bring enough drinking water plus snacks to bite on
- Carry a pair of binoculars
- If you take photos, keep in mind that your subjects are actually black animals living in dim light, so camera flashes are strictly not permitted. It’s better to have a fast film (400 – 800 ASA) or even utilize the settings on your camera.
About chimpanzee habituation experience
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience: this is a lifetime opportunity that allows you to accompany Kibale’s researchers and observe chimpanzees during their daily activities, helping them to acclimatise to human presence without altering their natural behaviour. During your tour, expect to see the chimps de-nesting (in their nocturnal nests) between 05:30 and 06:30, and follow them throughout the day until they construct new nests for the night around 19:00. The Habituation Experience is available to tourists during the low season months of March, April, and May November
Uganda SAFARIS
Chimpanzee Trekking
Chimpanzee Trekking
Chimpanzee Trekking
