Kibale National Park has one of Africa’s highest chimpanzee densities.
Chimpanzee tracking is one of Uganda’s greatest wildlife experiences, second only to the gorillas. Watching these intelligent, endlessly expressive apes in the wild, so strikingly like ourselves, is unforgettable. This guide covers where to track chimps in Uganda, what to expect, and how to plan.
Meet Uganda’s chimpanzees
Chimpanzees are among our closest living relatives, sharing much of our DNA, and it shows in their behaviour. They are highly social and intelligent, living in communities with complex relationships, using tools, and communicating through a rich range of calls and gestures. Observing them in the forest, feeding, grooming, playing, and squabbling, offers a fascinating window into primate society and a genuine sense of connection.
Kibale National Park
Trackers lead small groups to habituated chimpanzee communities.
Kibale is the premier place to track chimpanzees in Uganda, and one of the best anywhere. Known as the primate capital, this tropical rainforest holds one of the highest densities of primates in Africa, with a large, well-habituated chimpanzee population and around a dozen other primate species. Guided by rangers, you trek into the forest to spend a magical hour with a habituated community. Kibale also offers a special full-day habituation experience for those who want longer with the chimps.
Other places to track chimps
Kyambura Gorge offers chimpanzee tracking within Queen Elizabeth NP.
Kibale isn’t the only option. The scenic Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park offers chimp tracking amid dramatic forest scenery, easily combined with a savannah safari. Budongo Forest, near Murchison Falls, is another rewarding spot. Each pairs naturally with nearby parks, so chimp tracking slots neatly into a wider Uganda itinerary.
What the trek is like
Chimp tracking is an active but manageable experience. After a briefing, you set off on foot with a guide, listening for the chimps’ distinctive hoots and crashing through the canopy. Finding them can take from under an hour to a few hours, so reasonable fitness helps. Because chimps move fast and high in the trees, sightings are more energetic than the gorillas’ calm, but no less thrilling. Wear sturdy boots and bring a camera without flash.
Best time and permits
A permit is required and should be booked ahead, though chimp permits cost considerably less than gorilla permits. Tracking is possible year-round, but the drier months, June to September and December to February, bring the easiest forest conditions. The dry season also concentrates wildlife, making it ideal for combining chimps with a broader safari.
Combine chimps with gorillas and safari
The classic Uganda primate trip pairs chimpanzee tracking in Kibale with gorilla trekking in Bwindi, often with a savannah safari in between. It’s a rich, varied adventure that showcases the best of the country. See our Uganda gorilla trekking and Uganda safari guides to plan the full circuit.
Plan your chimpanzee trek
We can build chimpanzee tracking into a wider Uganda itinerary alongside gorillas and a savannah safari. Explore our Uganda guides above, or contact us to plan your trip.
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