Where can I go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda?

Kibale Forest National Park.

Kibale Forest National Park, home to more than 1,500 chimpanzees, is Uganda’s primary location for chimpanzee trekking. The rainforest is conveniently accessible from Kampala or Entebbe and is located in South-West Uganda. Excellent chimp populations can be found in the forest, and the park is now widely associated with chimpanzees.

Since the park is located along the southwest safari circuit, it is simple to combine it with other experiences. The hiking exercise takes place twice a day, at 8:00 and 14:00. Since many itineraries involve an afternoon visit to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, the morning excursions are typically busier.

To participate, one must have a trekking permit and reservations can be made via authorized tour operators like Ibuth Safaris. At Kibale, one can also have experiences with chimpanzee habituation. If you plan to stay with the chimps for the entire day, you will witness them from around 06:30 when they break their nests until roughly 19:00 when they begin their nightly nests again.

Kyambura Gorge
The stunning Gorge is located on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is also home to magnificent escarpments and lions that climb trees. One of the most well-liked locations in Uganda for chimpanzee trekking is Kyambura Gorge. Referred to as “the valley of the apes,”

Kyambura Gorge is located in the easternmost part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. As a result of the Kyambura’s centuries-long erosion the river, as well as the lush vegetation that surrounds the gorge walls, provide ideal habitat for chimps. A walk in the forest can be therapeutic and provide a lovely retreat from the stresses of everyday life. Only 17 chimps live in the gorge, and the chances of sighting them are roughly 60%.

The sights and sounds of the forest heighten suspense and make a glimpse even more satisfying. Registered tour operators, such as Ibuth Safaris sell the trekking permits. Combine a visit to Kyambura Gorge with a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park to get the complete experience of viewing amazing biodiversity.

While there, you will experience exhilarating game drives, boat cruises, and witness the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha Sector in the park.

Budongo Forest Reserve.
The woodland is located near the borders of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s top safari destination. The variety of experiences on offer here is astounding. A trip can include game drives, boat cruises, chimp trekking, excursions to spectacular waterfalls and landscapes, and sundowners at boutique lodges overlooking the savannah.

The Budongo Forest Reserve, located in the woodland south of the gorgeous park, is an ideal place to monitor chimps. Budongo has a contact rate of over 80%, which is higher than that of Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. While sighting opportunities are greater at Kibale, the smaller visitor numbers make the encounter more personal.

Registered tour operators, such as Ibuth Safaris sell the trekking permits. The reserve has well-experienced guides who can assist you navigate and learn about the monkey families.

A trekking journey lasts approximately three hours, with contact usually made after only one hour of walking. However, it also depends on where the chimp families feed. A full-day habituation session is available for travellers looking for a longer encounter with the chimps.

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