In East Africa, Uganda and Rwanda are among the best destinations for chimpanzee trekking. Many tour companies offer safaris to both countries.
Uganda alone has over 5,600 chimpanzees, and many of them have been habituated. These great apes live in different protected areas across Uganda and Rwanda.
Chimpanzees are part of the great ape family and share about 98.7% of their DNA with humans, making them our closest relatives.
A 3-day Uganda chimpanzee trekking safari is one of the best ways to see these apes in the wild. Most tour operators can arrange this trip.
Why go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda?
- Safety: Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is safe because most chimpanzees have been habituated and are used to human presence. Both countries have also enjoyed peace and security for many years, making them safe for travel.
- Close encounter with Eastern chimpanzees: Chimpanzees are fascinating primates, second only to mountain gorillas in size. Uganda and Rwanda are home to the Eastern chimpanzee species (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii). Adult male chimps weigh about 40 to 60 kg and can reach 1.6 meters in height. Females weigh about 37 to 47 kg. They live in communities of 20 to 80 individuals, usually led by an alpha male. Chimps have a strong grip because of their thumbs and large toes, which face opposite directions.
- High chimpanzee population: Uganda and Rwanda have some of the largest populations of habituated chimpanzees. Uganda alone has over 5,600 individuals, while Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest has more than 500. This gives visitors a higher chance of seeing them.
- Many trekking destinations: In Uganda, chimpanzee trekking is done in Kibale Forest National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge, Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, Budongo Forest, and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. In Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest and Gishwati-Mukura National Park are the main trekking sites.
- Other activities: Both countries offer more than chimp trekking. In Uganda, you can trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga. In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park offers gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, primate walks, and colobus monkey tracking.
- Easy accessibility: Most chimp trekking sites are easy to reach by road or air. For example, it takes about 5 hours to drive from Kampala to Kibale. In Rwanda, it takes about 5 to 6 hours to drive from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest.
Difference between chimpanzee trekking & chimpanzee tracking
Many people confuse chimpanzee trekking with chimpanzee tracking. Some tour companies explain the difference clearly when planning your trip.
Chimpanzee trekking is when visitors hike through forests in search of a chimpanzee troop. It usually starts with a briefing where rangers explain trekking rules. Rangers then lead visitors through the forest, pointing out wildlife, birds, and plants along the way.
Chimpanzee tracking is done by rangers or an advanced team before trekkers set off. The trackers use natural signs such as nests, calls, or footprints to locate chimps. They do not use GPS. Once chimps are found, the information is passed to the trekking team.
In practice, the two terms are often used interchangeably. Tracking refers to locating the chimps, while trekking refers to the hike visitors make to see them. Both go hand in hand during a chimpanzee safari.
Best Places to Go Chimpanzee Trekking in Africa
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest
Kibale Forest National Park is one of the best places in the world to see chimpanzees. Most tour companies recommend it for chimp trekking.
Often called the primate capital of the world, Kibale is home to about 1,500 chimpanzees and 13 other primate species. The park covers 795 sq km of tropical rainforest in western Uganda, surrounded by Kabarole, Kibale, Kamwenge, and Kasese districts.
It takes 5 to 6 hours to reach Kibale Forest by road from Kampala or Entebbe along the Mityana–Mubende–Fort Portal route.
Treks begin in the morning or afternoon at the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre with a briefing on trekking rules. A ranger guide then leads groups of up to six people into the forest. The trek lasts 2 to 4 hours, including one hour with the chimpanzees.
Besides chimps, you may see other primates like colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, mangabeys, pottos, and bushbabies. The park also has over 360 bird species.
Chimp trekking permits in Kibale cost USD 200 for foreign non-residents, USD 150 for foreign residents, and 150,000 UGX for East African citizens. Some companies resell permits and may offer discounts. Visitors can also book a chimpanzee habituation experience (CHEX) in Kibale.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge lies inside Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s second largest park. The gorge is 16 km long, 100 m deep, and covered by dense forest.
It is the most convenient place to see chimpanzees if you are already on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. About 30 chimpanzees live here, along with red-tailed monkeys, baboons, vervet monkeys, and colobus monkeys.
The gorge is also rich in birdlife, with species like African finfoot, falcons, and bee-eaters. A chimp trek here takes about 3 hours.
Permits cost USD 60, much cheaper than Kibale. However, not many tour companies recommend Kyambura, so you may need to ask for it specifically.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest covers 825 sq km and is home to about 800 chimpanzees. It is located within Murchison Falls National Park, 4 to 5 hours from Kampala.
Over 100 chimps have been habituated for trekking, and tours start from the Kaniyo-Pabidi section of the forest. Treks run in the morning and afternoon, and there is also the option of joining a habituation experience.
Permits cost USD 85 and can be booked through tour companies.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu Forest lies just outside Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is home to about 290 chimpanzees, with 70 habituated for trekking. The forest is also known for birding, with more than 410 bird species including the Great Blue Turaco, sunbirds, and cuckoos.
Chimp trekking permits in Kalinzu cost only USD 30.
Although few tour companies recommend it, Kalinzu is a good option for affordable chimp trekking.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Ngamba Island
Ngamba Island is a sanctuary on Lake Victoria for rescued chimpanzees. It is not a trekking site like Kibale or Budongo but offers a unique experience.
Visitors watch chimps from raised platforms during their feeding sessions, which happen three times a day. This is especially good for families with children.
Tours to Ngamba must be arranged in advance through tour companies.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve
Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, near the border with DR Congo, is home to about 260 chimpanzees living in three communities.
Few companies recommend this site, but it is a good choice if you want to trek in a quiet, less crowded place.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest
Nyungwe Forest National Park in southern Rwanda covers about 1,000 sq km. Over 500 chimpanzees live here, along with 12 other primate species such as L’Hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, and colobus monkeys.
Briefings are held at Kitabi, Gisakura, or Uwinka centres. Most trekking happens in the Uwinka and Cyamudongo sectors.
Permits cost USD 100 and can be booked through tour companies or directly via the Irembo portal.
Accommodation options in Nyungwe include Nyungwe House (luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hotel (mid-range), and Gisakura Guesthouse (budget).
Chimpanzee Trekking in Gishwati-Mukura
Gishwati-Mukura is a new park in northwestern Rwanda, formed by merging Gishwati and Mukura Forests. It covers 34 sq km and is home to chimpanzees as well as L’Hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons, and colobus monkeys.
Trekking here is a new tourism product and offers visitors another chance to see chimps in Rwanda.
What to Carry for Chimpanzee Trekking
Whether you plan to visit Uganda or Rwanda to see chimpanzees, it is important to have the right gear. This will help you enjoy your chimpanzee trek.
Here is a list of some essential items to carry on your chimpanzee trekking safari:
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Waterproof daypack
- Garden gloves
- Anti-malaria tablets (as advised by your doctor)
- Camera without flash
- Extra camera batteries
- First aid kit
- Passport and visa
- Valid chimpanzee trekking permit
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Sweater
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Toiletries
- Bottled drinking water
- Energy snacks
Essential Chimpanzee Trekking Etiquette
Like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking has rules you must follow. These help protect the chimps and make the trek safe.
- Only visitors above 15 years are allowed to book chimpanzee permits.
- Keep a distance of 7–10 meters from the chimpanzees at all times.
- Do not litter in the forest.
- Eating, smoking, or drinking near chimpanzees is not allowed.
- Only cameras without flash are permitted.
- Keep your voice low and do not provoke the chimpanzees.
- You are allowed only 1 hour with the chimpanzees.
- Visitors with flu, diarrhea, or any infectious disease are not allowed to trek.
These are just some of the most important rules. More will be explained by your guides before the trek.
See my recommended list of chimpanzee trekking companies here.
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