Activities

Chimpanzee Tailored Experiences

Kibale Forest National Park is the best place for chimp trekking in Uganda. There are over 1500 chimpanzees in Kibale Forest.

Permits

Just like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking requires a permit and capacity is limited. You should buy your permit at the same time as you plan your itinerary and hotel bookings to ensure the trip fits together properly. Permits typically cost $250 per person.

Rules and restrictions

The minimum age for chimp trekking in most of. There are no exceptions. Compared to the minimum age for gorilla trekking which is 15. Travelers are led in small groups with an armed ranger and guide, and are allowed a maximum of one hour in the presence of the chimps. You also have to stay several meters/yards away. The chimps move quickly and there are so many of them, it’s practically impossible to really maintain that distance but you should try to give them their space. Remember, you’re visiting them in their home!

Duration

Unlike gorilla trekking which is a full day experience, Chimpanzee trekking is a half day experience usually lasting around three hours including entering and exiting the forest and your one hour with the chimps. There are two starting times per day, at 8AM and 2PM. I recommend going in the morning. You can plan to start after an early breakfast and you won’t even need to pack a lunch, you can have that back at your lodge.

Difficulty

Chimp trekking is not very challenging if you’re reasonably fit. Kibale Forest is much flatter than Bwindi where the gorillas live. On the day of your trek you drive to the park offices and get out of the car, enter the forest and within 30 minutes you are surrounded by chimpanzees! 

Night walks 

A guided night walk with spotlights, which runs from 19.30 to 22.00 daily and offers a good chance of sighting nocturnal primates such as the bush baby, potto, nightjars, owls etc.

As darkness falls, Kibale transforms. Night walks reveal a hidden world of nocturnal creatures such as bush babies with enormous eyes, various chameleon species blending into branches, and fascinating insects that emerge under cover of darkness. Guided by careful torchlight, you’ll experience the forest’s mysterious alternate self, where sounds become more pronounced and wildlife interactions take on an entirely different character.

Bird watching 

Kibale is home to over 370 bird species, making it a paradise for enthusiasts looking for birding trips. The forest canopy becomes a living canvas of colour and movement. Rare species like the African pitta, green-breasted pitta, and various hornbills create a dynamic aerial performance. Birdwatching trails wind through varied habitats, from wetland edges to the towering rainforest canopy. Early morning is the best time to go when the forest is alive with song, a soundscape of twittering, whistling, and cawing, creating a symphonic landscape that transforms the forest.