Chimpanzee Trekking Tours – Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania

The best chimpanzee trekking tour destinations in East Africa. Chimpanzee trekking is one of the most popular safari activities in Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Chimpanzees are one of the species that are on the verge of extinction as they have been hunted and used in laboratories for experiments. Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania are the best destinations for chimpanzee trekking.  

Chimpanzee trekking adventures allow travelers to walk through the forests in search of these magical apes. Upon encountering a particular chimp family, they are allowed to spend one hour in the presence of the family. Here, travelers learn about the behavior of chimps as well as enjoy seeing them play, mate, and dine. For an extended time with chimpanzees, one can take on an amazing chimpanzee habituation tour.

Best Chimpanzee Trekking Tour Packages.

Top best chimpanzee trekking destinations in East Africa

Today, the best places for chimpanzee trekking and habituation tours are the central and east African parts. From the vast tropical rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo to Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Chimpanzee trekking tours in Rwanda can be done in Nyungwe National Park. In Uganda, chimpanzee tours can be done in Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth National Park), Kalinzu Forest, Budongo Forest, and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. In Tanzania, Chimpanzee trekking tours can be done in the Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe Streams National Park.

Where to go for chimpanzee trekking tours in Uganda?

Kibale National Park

Located in the remote areas of southwestern Uganda, Kibale National Park is also known as the primate capital of the world. The park is a reliable destination for chimpanzee trekking tours in Uganda. The park is about a 5 to 6-hour drive from Kampala or Entebbe International Airport. Taking on a chimpanzee tracking adventure or chimpanzee tour in Kibale National Park allows tourists to explore the park in depth while learning about these majestic apes. During your chimp tour in Kibale, you will also meet multiple bird species some of which are Rift Valley endemics.  Taking on walk in the Bigodi wetland is an equally rewarding experience. It is a perfect reliable destination for community tours.

Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Located in western Uganda, Kyambura Gorge is a 100-meter-deep and 1-km-wide gorge. It is famous for being home to primates like chimpanzees, monkeys, and baboons. However, chimpanzee trekking tours in Kyambura Gorge are not as vibrant as those of Kibale National Park, the activity here is equally rewarding. Taking a walk in the forest of Kyambura Gorge allows travelers to enjoy scenic views of the lush green vegetation and primates. They also encounter several bird species. A trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park allows you to spot several animals like the rare tree-climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, gazelles, warthogs, etc.

Kaniyo Pabidi – Budongo forest

Located in the northern part of Uganda, the Budongo forest reserve is an untamed beauty and a perfect destination for chimpanzee trekking tours. The reserve is home to several primate species and a good area for birding. Most travelers visit the Budongo Forest Reserve on their way to Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National Park is a famous Uganda safari destination known for being home to the Big 4 animals namely; elephant, lion, buffalo, and leopard. The park also allows travelers to visit the world’s strongest waterfalls. Talk to your travel planner from Rugote Safaris to organize the best Uganda chimpanzee trekking tour in Budongo forest and Murchison Falls National Park.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Located on one of the islands of Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a stopover for chimpanzee trekking tours in Uganda. The sanctuary is close to the entry point of Uganda – Entebbe International Airport. This implies that it can easily be combined with Uganda short tours and Kampala city tours. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established specifically as an orphanage for chimps. Chimpanzees who find it difficult to survive in the jungles are brought here for treatment. By visiting the sanctuary, you are directly supporting chimp conservation in Uganda and Africa at large.

How much is a chimpanzee trekking and habituation permit in Uganda?

A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale National Park goes for USD 250 for foreign non-residents, USD 200 for foreign residents, and Ugx 200,000 for members of the East African Community. A chimpanzee habituation permit in Kibale National Park goes for USD 300 for foreign non-residents, USD 250 for foreign residents, and Ugx 250,000 for Members of the East African Community.

A chimpanzee tracking permit in Kyambura Gorge goes for USD 100 for foreign non-residents, USD 80 for foreign residents, and Ugx 50,000 for members of the East African Community.

A chimpanzee trekking permit in Budongo forest goes for USD 65 for all the categories of travelers. A chimpanzee habituation permit in Budongo forest goes for USD 150 for foreign non-residents, USD 100 for foreign residents and members of the East African Community, and USD 75 for Ugandan citizens.

Where to go for chimpanzee trekking tours in Rwanda?

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is done in Nyungwe National Park. Nyungwe National Park is a perfect destination for chimpanzee trekking in Africa. Nyungwe is located in the southwestern part of Rwanda about 4 to 5 hours from Kigali city. The park is home to some of Africa’s oldest trees. Much as chimpanzee trekking is the most popular activity done in the park, Nyungwe has quite several other activities.

These include birding tours, canopy walking safaris, golden monkey trekking, and guided nature walks. On your way to Nyungwe National Park for a chimpanzee tour, you may visit the Gisakura Tea Estate and taste the real African tea leaves straight from the garden. The park also offers amazing community tours.

What is the best time to go for chimpanzee trekking tours in Nyungwe National Park?

Nyungwe Forest National Park is an all-year-round open safari destination in Rwanda. Chimpanzee tours in Nyungwe are open to travelers throughout the year. However, heavy rains tend to affect the trekking as the trekking trails become slippery and vegetation becomes thick. This therefore renders the dry months of June to September and December to February the best time to go for a chimpanzee trekking tour or safari in Rwanda.

Where to go for chimpanzee trekking tours in Tanzania?

Other than the great wildebeest migration safaris, gorilla trekking tours in Tanzania are also the best safari activity in Africa. Your Tanzania chimpanzee trekking tours will take you to any of the places below;

Mahale Mountains National Park

One of the untamed safari destinations in Tanzania is the Mahale Mountains National Park. The park is a reliable and perfect place for chimpanzee tours in East Africa. Trekking chimps in this park allow travelers to enter the forests in search of these human-like apes.

You will also enjoy scenic views of the surrounding areas as you hike through the forests. It is only in this park that lions co-exist with lions.

Gombe Stream National Park

Gombe Stream National Park is a renowned Research Center for the primatologist Jane Goodall. She extensively invested her time in the study of chimp behavior in this National Park. By visiting the park for your chimpanzee trekking tour, you are directly contributing towards her conservation efforts.

Which country is best for chimpanzee trekking tours in Africa?

Pulling one chimpanzee destination for your tour out of a pool of destinations might be somewhat difficult. We are here to help you do it. You may not have to visit all the places for chimpanzee trekking as it might hurt your wallet.

All you need is to look for a country that has easy-to-connect destinations. This is why combining Rwanda and Uganda for a chimpanzee trekking tour might be somewhat easier. You may as well take on combined chimpanzee trekking and wildebeest migration safaris in Tanzania.