Four Best Places To Trek Chimpanzees In 2025-26

Four Best Places To Trek Chimpanzees In 2025-26. The four best places to trek the chimpanzees include Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Kaniyo pabidi forest and Nyungwe National Park. Chimpanzees among the animal kingdom are the closest human relatives with approximately 98% human genes. Due to habitat lose world over, the population of chimpanzees has drastically dwindled putting them on the list of endangered species in the world.

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In Uganda, the population of chimpanzees according to the report of Uganda Wildlife Authority is estimated to be 5000 chimpanzees. Uganda has several destinations where to see the chimpanzees but the most outstanding are Kibale National Park , Kaniyo Pabidi forest in Murchison Falls National Park and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

In Rwanda Nyungwe National Park is the only home for the chimpanzees in the country but very exciting, engaging and scenic too. As the forest depletion is taking a heavy toll on the world's natural forests, some countries like Rwanda are taking it upon themselves to continue conserving the habitats of such primates even though its land is small.

To do chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda one needs a chimpanzee permit but the number of permits opened to the public are restricted to about 4 to 8 permits per troop per session for conservation reasons. The chimpanzee permits in Uganda are regulated by Uganda Wildlife Authority and in Rwanda the Rwanda Development Board has that mandate.

Four Best Destinations Where To Do Chimpanzee Trekking Adventure 2025-2026

In Uganda

Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is situated in the western part of Uganda and is a tropical rainforest that hosts about 13 primate species including Chimpanzees. The population of chimpanzees in Kibale forest is estimated to be 1500 and currently about 12 chimpanzee communities have been habituated and opened to the public. In Africa, this is one of the biggest number of habituated chimpanzees so chances of seeing them in the wilderness in this park are open.

Other primates that are residents of Kibale forest include L’hoest, pottos, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus, red colobus monkeys, bush babies and several others.

More than 325 bird species have been recorded as residents of Kibale National Park including about 6 bird species that are endemic to the Albertine rift. Some of the birds of Kibale forest include Yellow spotted Nicator, African Pitta, red-faced woodland warbler, blue breasted Kingfisher, crowned eagles, black bee eater, green breasted pitta and others.

During chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, tourists may get the chance to spot some animals that cross from Queen Elizabeth National Park which shares a 180 kilometers long migration corridor south of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Some of these migratory animals include forest elephants, wild forest hogs, solitary buffaloes and others.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park has two sessions the morning and afternoon but each session must be led by a ranger guide. Each tourists is also expected to attend briefing before the chimpanzee trek starts and only one hour is permitted with these chimpanzees. An alternative activity involving chimpanzees in Kibale forest is chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) where tourists are allowed four hours with a semi-habituated chimpanzee community.

How to get to Kibale National Park

From Kampala or Entebbe the distance to Kibale National Park via Mubende Fort Portal is about 336 Kilometers at a time of approximately 5 to 6 hours.

An alternative route to Kibale National Park is via Mbarara Kamwenge

Domestic daily flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi to Kasese airstrips are present both morning and afternoon. For more private flight arrangements, charter flight services are available.

• Accommodations for Kibale National Park include Ndali Lodge, Primates Lodge, Chimpanzee Guesthouse, Kibale Safari Lodge, Chimps Nest, Kyaninga Lodge

Kyambura Gorge In Queen Elizabeth National Park

Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated 100 meters deep on the Albertine rift valley floor. This forested part of the generally savanna grassland area is home to an exciting community of chimpanzees. A combo of a game safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park and chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge is a perfect match.

The formation of this gorge resulted from the erosion of River Kyambura as it tried to make its way toward Kazinga Channel the prime game viewing spot in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Some hiking is necessary while on a search to find the chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge as you get down or up the slopes to where the chimpanzees may be spending the day. A number of other primates are present in this forested part of the park including olive baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus and others.

Other than chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, you may enjoy other activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park including game safaris, launch trips on Kazinga channel, nature walks and others.

How to get To Queen Elizabeth National Park  and Kyambura gorge

From Kampala the distance to drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park is about 420 kilometers via Masaka Mbarara route. An alternative route is via Fort Portal at a distance of about 410 kilometers.

Scheduled flight services are available from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi to Mweya or Kasese Airstrip. Charter flights are available too which you can book in advance so that all necessary clearance can be made.

Accommodations to Book in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park accommodations are categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic.  Some accommodations include Mweya Safari Lodge, Jacana Lodge, Bush Lodge, Elephants Plain Lodge, Simba Safari Camp, Kingfisher Lodge and others.

Kaniyo Pabidi Forest In Murchison Falls National Park  

Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls National Park happens inKaniyo Pabidi forest. Kaniyo Pabidi forest is 8 Kilometers from the Kicubanyombo gate of Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National Park is the largest wildlife protected area in Uganda covering an area of about 3893 square kilometers. This park is bisected by River Nile, which is its lifeblood. The park gets its name from the famous Murchison Falls, which is the point where most of the power of River Nile is drained.

During the chimpanzee trek adventure in Kaniyo Pabidi, you may spot other primates that are residents of this park such as black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons and others.  Kaniyo Pabidi forest is a great Uganda birding destination worth adding to the list of destinations to visit in Uganda.

Other than chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi forest, tourists may engage in other activities within Murchison Falls National Park including Game drives, sports fishing, Launch trips, birding, guided Nature walks, hiking to the top of the fall, visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the outskirts of this park and others.

How To Get To Murchison Falls National Park Then Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

From Kampala or Entebbe, the distance to Murchison Falls National Park is about 305 Kilometers at a drive time of about 5 to 6 hours.

Charter flights are available from Entebbe or Kajjansi airstrip to Bugungu or Pakuba airstrip.  Daily domestic flights can be booked from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip but it is best to make the necessary reservation in advance so that all the relevant clearances can be done.

Accommodation to book in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park has different options of accommodations you can book during the safari including Up-market, mid-range and basic. Accommodations in Murchison Falls National Park include Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Red Chills Camp, Sambiya Lodge and others.

In Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe National Park is the chimpanzee trekking destination in Rwanda located in the southwestern part of the country. The topography of Nyungwe National Park is generally jagged as most of the areas in Rwanda were affected by volcanic action which ended in the formation of a number of highlands. Rwanda is currently referred to as the land of a thousand hills. Nyungwe Forest currently has two chimpanzee communities open to the public that is one in Nyungwe forest and another in Cyamudondo on the outskirts of the park.

When you take the search for the chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park, you start with briefing at Uwinka where the headquarters of this park are located. Follow the different trails constructed by regular visitors in the park including the Igishigishigi trail, Usamo trail and others. Enjoy the various features that you may encounter along the way including waterfalls like Usamo Falls.

When you finally find the chimpanzees only one hour is allowed with them as they have to carry on with their day today life. The presence of humans disrupts the activities that chimpanzees have to do to survive in the forest like searching for food. Nyungwe National Park hosts other primates including black and white colobus, blue monkeys, Dent Mona Monkeys and several others.

For the best Rwanda birding experience, Nyungwe forest is a great deal as the forest hosts more than 200 bird species including Albertine rift endemics. A keen birder may get the opportunity to spot a wide range of birds.

The canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park is always that daring activity you can choose to be part of in this park. The Canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park is on a suspension bridge which is about 160 meters long and 70 meters high. This is may stimulate some adrenaline but worth every time you spend over the dense Nyungwe Forest. Enjoy the different features that stand out through the dense forest canopy.

How to get to Nyungwe National Park

From Kigali city, the distance you drive to Nyungwe National Park is about 219 kilometers drive for  drive time of about 4 to 5 hours. Charter flight services are available too in Kigali airport to Nyungwe Forest but you must book in advance so that all arrangements can be cleared upfront.

Accommodation options to use on chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe National Park are still limited by those available including Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisaku Guest House, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe House, Gisaku Family Hostel

Note that during the peak tourism season in Rwanda, the demand for chimpanzee permits and other related activities gets high creating scarcity for those who book at the last minute.

When is the best time to book A Chimpanzee Trekking Safari

The best time to book the chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda is the dry season which is normally June to September and December to Mid-January when the environment in the forest has less precipitation. Chimpanzee trekking is open all year and be sure to find the chimpanzees any time.

The chimpanzees in the forests tend to spend more time closer to the ground in the dry season but keep moving into the deeper forest as they search for better feeding grounds.

The wet season shouldn’t be ignored when you plan the chimpanzee trekking tour, the wet season is normally March to May and November. The chimpanzees are accessible in the forest during the wet season although they tend to spend more time up in the trees.

What guidelines to follow on a chimpanzee safari trip

• Never feed the chimpanzees as they are wild animals that must fend for their own food. Gradually feeding creates dependence on human provision.
• For long calls, ask your ranger guide to dig a hole of about 30 meters deep then cover well everything beyond recognition.
• Be friendly to nature because it's food for the primates including the chimpanzees, even the birds enjoy the foliage so do not dump any wraps or any other waste. The government also promotes ecotourism and violating this calls for a penalty.
• Avoid spitting randomly on the vegetation as it's the main source of food for the chimpanzees and birds
• Never smoke or eat before the chimpanzees. You may not know what would happen in case they eat human snacks
• Keep a distance from the chimpanzees and try not to surround them they will feel insecure and ambushed.
• Sneezing and coughing may come at times as a reflex action but do it away from the chimpanzees because you can never know the infections you may transmit to the chimpanzees
• Only one hour is allowed to be with the chimpanzees so that they can be left free to eat.

For more information, please get in touch with our team.