Kibale Forest National Park
Uganda
Kibale Forest National Park
Thirteen primate species share this forest, with chimp tracking success rates among the highest in Africa.
Visit UgandaChimpanzee Trekking
Track chimpanzees on foot through rainforest, listening for the calls that give away a group's location long before you see them.
Overview
Chimpanzee trekking moves faster and covers more ground than gorilla trekking, since chimps travel through the forest canopy rather than staying in one place. Guides track by call and by fresh signs on the forest floor.
Kibale Forest in Uganda holds one of the highest chimpanzee densities in Africa, and Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda adds a canopy walk to the same rainforest that shelters its chimp population.
Kibale Forest National ParkWhy Do This
01
Faster paced and often easier underfoot than gorilla trekking
02
Kibale Forest holds one of Africa's highest chimp densities
03
Pairs naturally with a gorilla trek on the same trip
04
A canopy walk option in Rwanda's Nyungwe Forest
Chimpanzee Trekking By Country
Uganda and Rwanda both offer strong chimpanzee tracking, and both work naturally as an add on to a gorilla trekking trip in the same country.
Uganda
Visit Uganda- Logistics
- Kibale Forest sits between Queen Elizabeth National Park and Fort Portal, an easy stop on a standard southern Uganda circuit.
- Cost
- Permits cost $250 per person, with a habituation experience option running a full day for closer, longer access.
- Where To Stay
- Options range from budget guesthouses in Fort Portal to Kyaninga Lodge overlooking its own crater lake.
- Our Take
- Uganda's permit is the more affordable of the two and pairs easily with a Bwindi gorilla trek on the same trip.
Rwanda
Visit Rwanda- Logistics
- Nyungwe Forest sits in Rwanda's southwest, roughly a five hour drive from Kigali or a short flight to Kamembe.
- Cost
- Permits cost $100 per person, with the canopy walkway a separate, optional add on.
- Where To Stay
- Nyungwe's lodges are smaller and quieter than the Volcanoes National Park scene, including One&Only Nyungwe House.
- Our Take
- A strong pick if you're already routing through southern Rwanda and want the canopy walk alongside the trek.
Best Parks & Regions For Chimpanzee Trekking
Kibale and Nyungwe hold two of East Africa's highest primate densities, each with its own signature extra.
Kibale Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Rwanda
Nyungwe Forest National Park
A high altitude rainforest with a suspended canopy walkway alongside its chimpanzee tracking trails.
Visit RwandaWildlife You Might See
Both forests hold a wide primate cast beyond chimpanzees, plus strong birdlife in the canopy.
Sample Chimpanzee Trekking Itineraries
A few of our ready made itineraries built around Chimpanzee Trekking, or ask us to design your own.
Bwindi & Queen Elizabeth NPBwindi & Queen Elizabeth Primates Safari
Three primate encounters in six days, without the longer transfers of a full circuit.
FROM $2,050 ppView Itinerary
Bwindi & Kibale, UgandaUganda Gorillas & Chimpanzee Safari
Our fullest Uganda primate itinerary, with rest built in between the two trekking days.
FROM $3,150 ppView Itinerary
What To Expect
Expect a two to four hour walk through rainforest, often faster paced than gorilla trekking since chimps move through the canopy. Sightings are not guaranteed but success rates are high with an experienced guide.
Nyungwe Forest National ParkWhen To Go
Chimp tracking runs year round, with the dry seasons making forest trails easier underfoot.
GREAT
JanGREAT
FebGOOD
MarFAIR
AprFAIR
MayBEST
JunBEST
JulBEST
AugGREAT
SepGOOD
OctFAIR
NovGREAT
Dec
Best — ideal conditions
Great — very good conditions
Good — solid, fewer crowds
Fair — wetter or hotter, still workable
Pair It With
Other experiences you might like
Chimpanzee Trekking pairs easily with any of these.
Gorilla Trekking
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Game Drives
4x4 safaris across open savannah and floodlit waterholes, the classic African wildlife encounter.
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Boat & Canoe Safaris
A slower, water level view of Africa's wildlife, from a boat cruise to a hand poled mokoro canoe.
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Cultural & Community Visits
Direct time with the communities who call these landscapes home, led by community members themselves.
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Mountain & Volcano Climbing
From an overnight hike to a churning lava lake to a sunrise dune climb, added altitude changes the whole character of…
ExploreChimpanzee Trekking Frequently Asked Questions
How long does chimpanzee trekking take?
Most treks run two to four hours, though a fast moving group can occasionally stretch that. Kibale's permit includes a return visit the following day if your first trek comes up empty, a guarantee Uganda Wildlife Authority offers on this specific permit.
Can I combine chimp trekking with gorilla trekking?
Yes, it is one of our most common combinations. Kibale Forest sits close enough to Bwindi that most itineraries fit both into the same southern Uganda loop without extra flights.
Is a canopy walk included?
Only in Rwanda's Nyungwe Forest, where a suspended canopy walkway is a separate, optional add on alongside the chimp trek itself.
Let's plan your journey
Ready to add Chimpanzee Trekking to your trip?
Tell us your dates and we will build it into a full itinerary.
Talk to a Safari ExpertOur Kampala team replies within 24 hours · +256 705 087 906