Chimpanzee Trekking

Kibale Forest National Park is widely celebrated as the “Primate Capital of the World,” sheltering Africa’s highest density and diversity of primates across its 795 square kilometers of lush rainforest. It is the premier destination for chimpanzee trekking, home to approximately 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species.

Top Activities & Experiences

Crater Lakes Tours: Explore the nearby Ndali-Kasenda crater area, which features over 50 picturesque lakes surrounded by volcanic slopes.

Chimpanzee Trekking: The park’s flagship activity allows you to track habituated chimp communities. Most treks start at 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM from the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre.

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX): For a deeper encounter, you can spend a full day following researchers and chimps as they wake up, feed, and nest.

Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary: Located just outside the park, this community-run project is a haven for birders, with over 200 bird species (including the Great Blue Turaco) and eight primate species.

Nocturnal Forest Walks: Guided night walks using powerful torches reveal elusive creatures like pottos, bushbabies, and tree hyraxes.

Essential Visitor Information

Age Limits: The minimum age for chimpanzee trekking is 16 years.

Best Time to Visit: The dry seasons (June to September and December to February) are ideal for trekking as trails are less muddy and chimps are easier to spot.

Permit Costs (2024–2026):

Chimpanzee Trekking: $250 for foreign non-residents; $200 for foreign residents; UGX 200,000 for East African citizens.

Chimpanzee Habituation: $300 for foreign non-residents.

Park Entrance Fees: For non-resident adults, the entry fee is $40 per day.

Getting There

Kibale is located in western Uganda, approximately 26km southeast of Fort Portal. Kibale Forest National Park Uganda.

By Air: Scheduled or charter flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airstrip take about 1 hour, followed by a 2-hour drive to the park.

By Road: A roughly 5 to 6-hour drive (326km) from Kampala via the Fort Portal highway.