Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda is a guided walk through tropical forest to spend an hour with a habituated community of wild chimpanzees — our closest living relatives.
Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda is a guided walk through tropical forest to spend an hour with a habituated community of wild chimpanzees — our closest living relatives. It is lively, noisy and very different from gorilla trekking, costs much less and has a lower minimum age, which is why most Uganda safaris include it. Kibale National Park is the best place to do it, with alternatives in Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu Forest.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda Highlights
›Best site: Kibale National Park, with very reliable sightings
›Alternatives: Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu Forest
›Kibale permit around US$200–250 per person, much less than a gorilla permit
›One hour with the chimps, or a full-day habituation experience
›Minimum age 12; easier walking than most gorilla treks
On The Day
How It Actually Runs
1
8:00 AM Briefing
Ranger briefing at Kanyanchu visitor centre in Kibale, with groups capped at six guests per troop for standard tracking — smaller than a gorilla trekking group, since chimps move faster and are harder to view as a crowd.
2
The Search
Trackers follow calls, night nests and fresh feeding signs to locate the troop, typically two to four hours round trip depending on how far the group has ranged that morning.
3
One Hour With The Troop
A timed viewing window watching the troop feed, groom and move through the canopy — considerably more active and vocal than a gorilla family.
4
Return, or Extend Into Habituation
Standard tracking ends with the walk back to the visitor centre; travelers wanting more time can instead book the full-day chimpanzee habituation experience, following researchers as they work with a semi-wild troop.
If chimpanzees are a priority, choose Kibale. If your route does not pass Kibale, Budongo suits trips to Murchison Falls, and Kyambura or Kalinzu suit trips that focus on Queen Elizabeth. See Kalinzu vs Kibale.
How Much Does Chimpanzee Tracking Cost?
In Kibale, the Uganda Wildlife Authority currently charges around US$200–250 per person for foreign non-residents; tracking in Budongo, Kyambura and Kalinzu costs less. The chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale costs more because you spend most of the day with the chimps. Rates are set by UWA and the forest managers and are reviewed from time to time, so we confirm them when we quote. See chimpanzee tracking permit costs.
What Happens on a Chimp Tracking Day
In Kibale, tracking starts with a briefing at the Kanyanchu visitor centre, with morning and afternoon departures. You walk into the forest in a small group with a ranger, who follows the chimps’ calls and the reports of trackers already in the forest. Chimpanzees move fast and often feed high in fig trees, so you may walk for under an hour or for several hours, sometimes at a brisk pace when the community is on the move. When you find them, you spend one hour watching them feed, groom, rest, call and display — and sometimes come down to walk along the forest floor right past you.
The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
For a deeper encounter, the habituation experience in Kibale starts very early, when the chimps are still in their night nests, and you stay with them, alongside researchers and habituators, for much of the day. You see the full rhythm of their day rather than a single hour, in a smaller group. It is longer and more tiring, and places are limited, so book well ahead. See the chimpanzee habituation experience and a morning with habituating chimps.
Chimp Tracking Rules
Minimum age 12 for standard tracking.
Keep a distance of at least 8 metres from the chimpanzees, and follow your ranger’s instructions.
Do not track if you are ill — chimpanzees can catch human diseases.
No flash photography, no eating near the chimps and no littering.
Wear a face mask when asked, and stay with your group.
Chimp tracking runs all year. The drier months, June to September and December to February, make forest trails easier. After the rains, many trees fruit, which can keep the chimpanzees feeding in one area. Mornings are usually the most active time, so the morning session is the most popular. See the best time to track chimpanzees.
What to Wear and Bring
Long trousers and long sleeves in muted colours, comfortable waterproof walking shoes or boots, a light rain jacket, insect repellent, water and a camera without flash. Chimps move quickly in low forest light, so a camera that handles high ISO helps. See the Uganda safari packing list and chimpanzee photography tips.
Chimp Tracking for Families
With a minimum age of 12, chimp tracking is often the first great-ape experience for families with children too young for gorillas. The Bigodi Wetland walk near Kibale and the crater lakes are good for younger children. See chimp tracking with children.
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Good To Know
Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda FAQs
Kibale National Park, which has the most habituated communities and the most reliable sightings.
No sighting is guaranteed, but in Kibale they are very reliable because the communities are followed every day.
It is usually easier than gorilla trekking, on flatter trails, but you may need to walk quickly to keep up with moving chimps.
The rule is at least 8 metres, but chimps sometimes come closer on their own; your ranger will guide you.
Yes. Most itineraries include both, usually a few days apart, with Queen Elizabeth in between.
Plan Your Chimpanzee Tracking Safari
Tell us your travel dates and which parks are on your route. We will recommend the best place to track chimpanzees for your trip, check permit availability and build it into your itinerary.
