Chimpanzee Tracking

Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking is one of the primate safaris that is undertaken in the prime forests of Uganda particularly in Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda which is the famous prime destination due to the huge number of habituated and non-habituated chimpanzee in the area. It’s as well this park where CHEX experience is done amidst the other parks which inhabit Chimpanzee.

Chimpanzee trekking experience

The activity is one of the breathtaking experience meeting the primates in their playful environment in the forests. Chimps are stubborn, noisy and spend a lot of their time on top of the trees, unlike mountain gorillas. This, therefore, implies that you have to be extra careful while on the trek to take beautiful pictures and as well enjoy the moments in the forest.

Chimpanzee trekking experience is conducted in two phases of the day either during morning hours or afternoon hours. The trekking experience, therefore, starts with a briefing at the headquarters on the do’s and don’ts while in the forest or while in the zoo/ sanctuary. After the briefing, you will start your trek in the forest to follow where the chimpanzees are.

Chimpanzee habituation

Commonly known as CHEX Experience, chimpanzee habituation is conducted in Kibale national park where primates are undertaken into the habituation process which takes between 2-3 years for the primates to get used to human presence. With Safari Vacations & Travel Services we take you through this adventure of having a full day trek to chimpanzee and it’s worth it spending more than an hour with the primates in their natural habitat. Upon CHEX Experience you get to enjoy a full day trek which not only limits you to watching chimpanzee but as well other primates like the Black and White colobus monkeys, Elephants, Buffaloes, Bush Pigs, butterflies, and wildlife found in the park

Places where chimpanzee tracking is done in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is done in different places in the country which include, Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo forest, Kalizu forest, and Kyambura gorge. Tourists and other visitors have been tracking the primates since 1993 and the chances of seeing them are at 100%.

The Chimpanzee tracking areas described here are habituated, meaning that they are used to humans and will go about their days while you are near them.  Meanwhile, you can see chimpanzees in zoos or sanctuaries, there is nothing like seeing the chimpanzees in their natural habitat in the wild. There are also chimpanzees in Bwindi (not habituated) and other degraded forest fragments on private land across western Uganda.

Chimpanzee trekking permit price

This is one of the frequently asked questions for any visitor on a chimpanzee trekking safari to Uganda, apparently, the cost of chimpanzee permit varies depending on the trekking destination.

It costs 50 US dollars to trek in Kyambura gorge, $100 in Bundongo forest, $40 in Kalizu forest, and $150 to $200 in Kibale National Park for trekking.

With the new Uganda Wildlife Authority Tariffs chimpanzee trekking and habituation prices will increase by $50 from 1^st July 2020 ($150 to $200 and $200 to $250) respectively and filming activity being charged %40 of the activity being conducted.

Where to acquire chimpanzee trekking permits for your safari?

You can book permits directly from Uganda wildlife Authority head office in Kampala or through a tour operator/agent like us, At Safari Vacations & Travel Services we offer you the service of securing permits to have an encounter to the chimps at no cost once you secure booking with us and organizing for you the entire safari.

How many people are allowed to involve in chimpanzee trekking?

Chimpanzee trekking involves travelers limited to a specified number of visitors per group though quit many than those who do gorilla trekking. Therefore a group of six people is allowed to trek a chimp family daily. The treks are done in two shifts where the first one is started at 8:00 Am and the second shift at 2:00 Pm, since the primates are playful and keep moving from one place to another the trail may take several hours but however once met you are allowed to spend an hour experiencing their lifestyle, be able to ask questions and take plenty of pictures however chimpanzee habituation which is done in Kibale National Park takes you to a thrilling 4-hour experience learning how the primates are habituated and taught how to relate with a human encounter without violence.

Contact us for more details upon your planned encounter with the closest relatives to humans which we share with 98% DNA for discounted permits, accommodation, and any other tailor-made safari in Uganda and Rwanda.