Best Places for Chimpanzee trekking in East Africa

Looking for the best places for chimpanzee trekking in East Africa? Superfine Safaris brings you details on the top places to see chimpanzees in Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Globally, chimpanzee trekking is rated as one of the best wildlife experiences in the wild.  A close encounter with the endangered chimpanzees rewards travelers with a magical feeling that lasts for a lifetime. Chimpanzee trekking ranks second after mountain gorilla trekking in attracting a high number of primate enthusiasts.

Chimpanzees share over 98% of humans’ DNA, which makes them our closest relatives. The human-like social behaviors of chimpanzees make them amazing creatures to visit. Enjoy a hike through the dense forest to trek, observe, and enjoy a face-to-face encounter with the endangered chimpanzees in their natural habitats. The best places for chimpanzee trekking in East Africa include:

Best places for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa,” is globally considered the best place to see chimpanzees in East Africa. The country offers a wide range of destinations where these primates can be seen. The top places for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda include;

Kibale Forest National Park

Also known as the “Primate Capital of Africa” Kibale Forest National Park is the prime chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda.  The rainforests are believed to shelter over 500 chimpanzees habituated into different communities. Travelers to Kibale Forest National Park are 99% guarantee a chance of seeing chimpanzees. In addition to chimpanzees, Kibale Forest National Park shelters other 12 primates, which include Red-tailed monkeys, Vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, and Black and white colobus monkeys, which all await you.

Kibale Forest National Park also allows travelers to spend half a day with the chimpanzees on the experimental chimpanzee habituation experience. This gives travelers a more intimate encounter with chimpanzees, allowing them to learn more about them and their lifestyles.  Our 3-day Kibale forest chimpanzee tour is a suitable package for you. For those with more days, a 5-day Uganda chimpanzee and gorilla trekking safari is the best to experience two top primate trekking adventures. The permit to trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest costs $250, while the chimpanzee habituation experience costs $300

Kyambura Gorge

This underground forest in Queen Elizabeth National Park is another interesting destination for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.  Kyabura Gorge is also known as the “Valley of Apes,” offering a more unique chimpanzee encounter. The cost of chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge is $100 for foreign non-residents and d$80 for foreign residents, while East African citizens pay 50,000 shillings

Budongo Forest

Visit and trek chimpanzees in Budongo forest, a section of Murchison Falls National Park in northwestern Uganda. Budongo is the largest Mahogany forest in East Africa, which shelters a significant population of chimpanzees. The permit to trek chimpanzees in Budongo forest costs $130 for foreign non-residents, $120 for foreign residents, and $85 for East African citizens

Kalinzu Forest

Kalinzu forest is another place to see chimpanzees in Uganda. Located near Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest is the most affordable chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda. Each permit costs $50 for foreign non-residents, $40 for foreign residents, and 30,000 shillings for East African citizens. All chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority on first come first serve

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

Nyungwe Forest National Park, located in south-western Rwanda, is the main destination for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda.  The mountainous rain forest is home to a dozen chimpanzees, which are habituated for trekking. The Nyungwe forest has been split into two (the main Nyungwe Forest and Cyamundongo Forests). Trekking takes place in either forest, but sightings are not guaranteed like in Uganda.  In addition to chimpanzees, Nyungwe Forest is also home to the rare Ruwenzori colobus monkeys and other monkey species. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest is normally done alongside the canopy walk, which rewards travelers with great aerial views of the forest, Virunga volcanoes, and local communities. A chimpanzee permit in Nyungwe Forest costs $250

Rwanda Development Board manages chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park and is responsible for issuing permits

Chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania

In addition to the great wildebeest migration and game viewing experiences, Tanzania is also best for chimpanzee trekking adventures.  The best places for chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania include

Mahale Mountains National Park

Visit and trek endangered chimpanzees in Mahale Mountain National Park, located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Travelers hike into the forested mountain to meet up with the endangered chimpanzees in their natural habitats.  The experience is more challenging but worth it, especially for adventure seekers. The park is accessed by boat since there are no roads connecting there.  The permit to trek with chimpanzees in Mahale Mountain National Park costs $150, exclusive of park entrance. Accommodation, transport, and other extra costs that come along

Gombe Stream National Park

Located in Kigoma region, Gombe Stream National Park is yet another interesting destination to see chimpanzees in Tanzania. The park was a research centre for Jane Goodwill where she pioneered her research on chimpanzees. The park is only accessed by boat, which makes the experience more fun

How to choose the right destination for chimpanzee trekking in East Africa

Depending on the traveler’s interest, each chimpanzee destination offers a unique experience. Uganda shelters the highest chimpanzee population, making is a prime destination for chimpanzee trekking in East Africa. More so, Uganda offers a variety of destinations where these endangered primates can be seen at different prices.  Also, the experiential chimpanzee habituation experience, which allows travelers a half day with the chimpanzees.  Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda offers a diverse primate experience as travelers combine chimpanzees and other primates. For remote and off-beaten chimpanzee encounters, the Mahale Mountains and Gombe National Parks in Tanzania are your best destinations

What to pack for chimpanzee trekking in East Africa

In all chimpanzee trekking destinations, travelers are reminded to pack right! Among the things to pack for chimpanzee trekking are

• Hiking boots/sturdy closed shoes
• Hand gloves
• Rain jackets/scarf and warm sweaters
• Hat
• Sun glasses
• First aid kit
• Toiletries
• Energy-giving snacks

Guidelines for chimpanzee trekking in East Africa

Just like in gorilla trekking, travelers visiting chimpanzees are given guidelines that they must follow to ensure a peaceful and lifetime chimpanzee trekking adventure. These dos and don’ts include:

• Do not trek chimpanzees when sick. The primates are susceptible to contagious diseases such as flu and cough, which can be deadly to them
• The allowed age limit for trekking is 15 years
• Keep a distance of 7 meters away from the chimpanzees
• The group of 6 people is allowed to trek each habituated chimpanzee community
• The allowed time with the chimpanzees is an hour from the encounter
• Do not litter in the park
• Do n use flashlight cameras
• Do not look directly into the eyes of the chimpanzees
• Do not eat or drink in the presence of a chimpanzee

How to book a chimpanzee trekking safari in East Africa?

Booking for a chimpanzee trekking safari in East Africa can be done directly with the responsible government bodies in each respective country. Alternatively, you can book through any reputable travel company licensed to do so. Superfine Safaris Limited is your reliable travel agency for a customized chimpanzee trekking safari in East Africa