If gorillas are the quiet giants of the forest, chimpanzees are the noise. You often hear a group before you see it: a burst of pant-hoots, then branches crashing overhead. Kibale National Park, near Fort Portal in western Uganda, is the best place in East Africa to see them. It’s also home to a dozen other primate species.
What it costs
A chimpanzee tracking permit in Kibale is US$250 per person for foreign non-residents in 2026, with a discount to US$200 in April, May and November. From 1 January 2027, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is raising the standard permit to US$300. For a longer, more immersive day, the chimpanzee habituation experience will cost US$400 from 2027.
How the day works
Treks leave from the Kanyanchu visitor centre, usually with a morning and an afternoon group. After a short briefing, a ranger leads a small group into the forest to find a habituated chimp community. The walking is mostly flat compared with gorilla trekking, but the chimps move fast and often, so be ready to follow quickly. Once you find them, you have one hour with the group.
Morning groups tend to see more activity, because chimps are often feeding and calling early in the day.
What to bring
- Long trousers and long sleeves, to protect against nettles and ants.
- Waterproof walking shoes or boots, and a light rain jacket: Kibale is rainforest.
- Water and a snack.
- A camera with a fast lens. Flash isn’t allowed, and the forest floor is dim.
Good to know
- The minimum age for chimpanzee tracking is 12 (it’s 15 for gorillas).
- As with gorillas, rangers will turn away anyone who looks unwell, because chimps catch human illnesses.
- Sightings are very likely, but chimps are wild and fast-moving, so they’re never guaranteed.
Pairing chimps with gorillas
Kibale is a natural stop between Kampala and Bwindi. A popular route is Kampala → Kibale (chimps) → Queen Elizabeth (game drives and a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel) → Bwindi (gorillas). Done comfortably, that’s about seven days. Have a look at our sample itineraries, or ask us to build one around your dates.
Found this useful? Send it to someone planning a trip.
