If you are contemplating chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, here are the best places to visit!
Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is the best chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda. With over 1500 chimpanzees, Kibale National Park has the highest number of habituated chimpanzees in the country with over 99% chances of seeing these most sought after primates that possess 99% of human DNA. You will have a chance to do both chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation in this location.
A chimpanzee tracking permit in Kibale National Park costs 250$ while chimpanzee habituation costs 300$. Both permits must be purchased at UWA headquarters by a licensed tour operator in Uganda. Tracking can either be done in the morning or afternoon.
Trekking Chimpanzees in Kibale national park is not as difficult because the terrain is relatively flat and well-marked. It can be done by people with moderate fitness levels unlike gorilla trekking. This activity could take as long as 3 hours.
Other than chimpanzees, Kibale National Park has a high density of other primates including the red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, Olive baboons, blue monkeys and L’Hoest monkeys among others.
Kibale National Park can be found in western Uganda 276 km away from Kampala, a five hour drive.
Budongo Forest Reserve
Located within the larger Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo Forest Reserve is another top destination for chimpanzee trekking. It is the biggest natural forest in Uganda with towering Mahogany trees that grow up to 60m tall. This area is known for the largest population of chimpanzees after Kibale National Park. Budongo Forest Reserve offers both half day and full day trekking excursions but early morning treks are advised because that is when the chimpanzees are most active. The Reserve is known to have 600- 700 chimpanzees with at least 80 individuals habituated for tourism purposes
Budongo Forest offers both chimpanzee tracking and Habituation experiences which are mainly done in the Kaniyo Pabidi chimpanzee community. A chimpanzee tracking permit in Budongo Forest Reserve costs 130$ is payable at the Budongo Forest Reserve offices manned by the National Forestry Authority.
Budongo Forest is located 300 Km from Kampala and the drive takes at least 4 hours.
Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is a steep forested gorge that forms part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is fondly known as the Valley of the Apes and is the only place within the park that is home to a population of wild chimpanzees.
Chances of seeing chimpanzees in this forested area are 50-50 but the spectacular scenery makes up for it.
This trek can be physically demanding, involving steep terrain and dense vegetation. It is therefore advisable to wear sturdy hiking boots and carry along plenty of water.
A chimpanzee Trekking Permit in Kyambura Gorge is only 100$ payable at Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala.
Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu Forest Reserve is located 350 km away from Kampala and 33 km from Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is a 6 hour 40 minute drive from Kampala and only a 45 minute drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park. The reserve has over 320 chimpanzees with over 50 individuals
habituated for tourism purposes. Its location along the western circuit presents an accessible yet budget friendly alternative to Kibale National Park with over 95% chances of seeing the habituated chimpanzees.
Only chimpanzee tracking can be done in this location. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu Costs $130 and is payable at the Kalinzu Forest Reserve offices manned by the National Forestry Authority. Trekking is done in two sessions, at 8:00 am and 3pm. Each shift offers a unique experience. The chimpanzees are known to be very active in the morning as they move in search of food and securing their territory and are usually full in the afternoon when they choose to relax in order to escape the afternoon heat.
The hikes to find chimpanzees in Kalinzu are considered moderate, with a good mix of walking on relatively flat trails and occasional steeper sections. While not overly difficult, the terrain can include muddy patches and some steep slopes for several hours, so a reasonable level of fitness is still required.
In addition to chimpanzees, there are 6 different species of primates in Kalinzu Forest Reserve such as Black and white colobus monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and baboons.
Tooro – Semuliki Game Reserve
Semuliki Game Reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including chimpanzees, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, and vervet monkeys. Birds and some antelope species are also available within the reserve. Experienced guides lead the chimpanzee treks, ensuring safety and providing insights into the behavior and ecology of the chimps and other wildlife. The treks take you through forested areas, swampy areas, and along the banks of the Semuliki River, offering stunning views and great opportunities for photography. You could also opt to engage with local communities in order to enhance your visit, giving you insights into the culture and traditions of the Tooro region.
Entrance into the reserve costs 35$ for foreign nonresidents
As a traveler you must keep in mind that chimpanzee trekking in Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve is considered relatively difficult due to the fact that the chimpanzees here are still largely wild and not fully habituated, meaning you may have to walk long distances to find them. Sightings can be brief. The terrain can also be challenging with thick vegetation and occasional steep slopes. This makes Toro Semuliki Reserve a more demanding trek compared to other chimpanzee tracking locations in Uganda
Toro Semuliki Reserve is about 297 km from Kampala and it will take you about 5 hours and 30 minutes to drive to this destination.
Kinyanpanika Chimp Trail
This is a trail in Rwenzori Mountains National Park whose ranges form 6 of Africa’s 10 tallest peaks. It is mainly used for birding nature walks and a chance to see the ever moving unhabituated chimpanzees. This area is relatively small, allowing you to track the primates movements.
The trail winds through dense forests and offers stunning views of the Rwenzori mountain range, often referred to as the ‘’Mountains of the Moon’’. The trail also provides insight into the local communities and their connection to the mountains, enriching your trek with cultural experiences.
The trek can be challenging, with varied terrain, and is therefore ideal for those with very good fitness levels.
This excursion costs only 50$ for visitors that do not reside within Uganda
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Santuary
Unlike all the above locations where chimpanzees are trekked in the wild, Ngamba Island Sanctuary offers designated areas for viewing the chimps without disturbing them. These observation platforms provide a great vantage point to see the chimps during feeding times, which usually occur twice daily. This is a great opportunity to see the chimpanzees’ natural behaviors as they interact with each other and their caregivers as knowledgeable guides offer insights into the lives of the chimpanzees, their individual stories, challenges and conservation efforts.
The sanctuary offers great opportunities for families with children under 12 years who are normally not allowed to track chimpanzees in the wild to enjoy chimpanzee viewing alongside their family since this location doesn’t have age restrictions.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in addition holds educational talks, nature walks and volunteer activities for an all immersive experience.
Packages are available for half day and full day activities at the Island.
The cost of seeing these chimpanzees depends on the type of tour, the number of people, and the age of the visitors.
