Uganda, often celebrated as the Pearl of Africa, is one of the best places in the world to experience the thrill of watching chimpanzees in their natural habitat. With lush tropical forests, rich biodiversity, and several well-protected reserves, the country offers unforgettable chimpanzee watching safaris that bring travelers face-to-face with our closest living relatives. From the primate-rich Kibale Forest, known as the “Primate Capital of the World,” to the dramatic landscapes of Kyambura Gorge and the vast Budongo Forest near Murchison Falls, Uganda provides a variety of incredible destinations for chimp tracking. These safaris not only give visitors the rare chance to observe chimpanzees swinging through trees, grooming, or foraging, but also immerse them in some of Africa’s most scenic wilderness areas, thus making chimpanzee watching a must-do adventure for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
Chimpanzee trekking permit
Processed by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a chimpanzee trekking permit is a legal document that will give you access to the chimpanzees. For chimpanzee conservation, limited permits are printed per day, and these are only valid for the date that they have been printed. This helps to reduce the interaction between the apes and humans since the chimps are prone to diseases.
The best way for one to get a chimpanzee trek permit is by booking through a trusted tour operator since they know more about the process and the related costs. Once the booking and payments are done, the tour operator will send you a scanned copy with the details on when you are to trek, the time, and the unique serial number that makes it unique from the rest.
Cost of the chimpanzee trekking permit
The cost of a Chimpanzee safari in Uganda depends on the place where you are going to have the experience. In Kibale Forest National Park, the chimpanzee permit costs USD 250. The cost of a chimpanzee permit in Budongo is USD 120, and in Kyambura gorge, the permits go for USD 90.
Places to go for Chimpanzee Tracking Safaris
In Uganda, there are several destinations where one can go for chimpanzee watching, but the most famous ones are;
Kibale National Park
Located in the south-western part of Uganda, Kibale National Park is the most common destination for chimpanzee watching safaris. Also known as a Primate Capital, the park has a large number of chimpanzees, which are about 1500, where 120 of these are habituated. The chimpanzees here can easily be located due to their high number, and the trekking is done twice a day, that is, in the morning and in the afternoon.
Also in the park, one can take part in a chimpanzee habituation experience where visitors get to spend more time with the primates, for example, 6 hours or the whole day.
The park is ranked to be the best destination for primate watching in Uganda and besides meeting the chimpanzees, you will also get to see other primates, including the colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, a wide variety of bird species (400), and other wildlife.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Located along Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island Sanctuary is one of the places where one can enjoy watching the incredible chimpanzees. Set up by Goodall to conserve the primates, the Island can be reached after using a speedboat. The part where the chimpanzees are kept is fenced off in order to allow them 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, and 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 that were rescued by a few locals and Dr. Jane Goodall and ever since, the number of chimpanzees has grown to over 50 chimpanzees which have either been rescued or orphaned. While at the sanctuary, 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.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is home to numerous forests, and these are the Budongo forest and the Kaniyo Pabidi forest, where chimpanzee trekking takes place. These two forests have over 600 chimpanzees, making Murchison a good destination for chimpanzee trekking. 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 a day with the first one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
- Budongo forest,
Budongo forest is a top destination in Murchison for chimpanzee trekking and has a large number of primates. With the help of a tour guide, trekking will be easy and you get to see other primates like monkeys, the olive baboons, and red-tailed monkeys, and do birding among other activities.
- Kaniyo Pabidi forest
Also, a home to chimpanzees in Murchison, Kaniyo Pabidi forest protects a wide range of bird species, insects, and other primates. The forest is one of the few in the country that has remained in its natural state without any tampering from humans.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best National Parks that is sought after by many tourists with about 17 chimpanzees available. Chimpanzee trekking here is done in the Kyambura gorge, and it is best done in the mornings, taking about 1 to 2 hours. During the experience, you will be escorted by the experienced tour guides, and after, you can drive back to the lodge or enjoy other safaris within the park.
What to Pack for Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda
For your safety and enjoyment during the chimpanzee watching experience, one wants to carry excess essential luggage that will be used during the tracking adventure. Among the items include;
- 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 a few essentials like cameras and extra batteries while trekking.
- A sun hat and sunscreen.
Trekking Rules and Regulations
There are rules and guidelines that you need to follow in order 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 are not allowed to trek in case 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 that are 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 only people who can help you gain access to the Park for trekking are the tour guides
- 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 end up migrating to another place.