Best Places to see Chimpanzees in Uganda

Chimpanzees are a species of great apes that have a close  relation with humans. They live in the tropical forests region. Most people think that you can see or find chimpanzees anywhere in Africa, which is not the case.Chimpanzees are a greatly endangered species due to their great value as laboratory animals and this almost led to their extinction. This further made them hide from human observation.

But due to the conservation measures put in place, one can now see chimpanzees up close and spend time with them. Uganda is home to 5000 chimpanzees, it is the best country for chimpanzee tracking since it has several areas set up for chimpanzee conservation. Tourists can either spend 8-10 hours with the chimpanzees through Chimpanzee Habituation or spend an hour tracking.

The following are the best places to see chimpanzees in Uganda:

1. Kibale Forset

Kibale forest is located in the southwestern parts of Uganda, its the best place to see Chimpanzees. This tropical rain forest is home to five habituated chimpanzee families which total up to 1500 chimpanzees. Further Kibale forest national park gives you a chance to see chimpanzees easily with out trekking for a long time since they don’t go deep into the forest.

Apart for Chimpanzees you can also see other primates and birds such as red tailed monkeys ,Blue monkeys, Red colobus , white and black colobus and grey cheeked mangabey  in Bigodi Swamp Sanctuary. You can track for 3-4 hours for chimpanzees and after finding them you spend an hour with them at a cost of $200 per person. But if you want to spend more hours with them, then try Chimpanzee habituation at a cost of $250 per person

2.Kalinzu forest

Kalinzu forest is located in the southwestern part of Uganda in Bushenyi district with over 300 chimpanzees. Chimpanzee Tracking in kalinzu is similar to Kibale’s chimps tracking since they are easily seen. You can also see other primates and birds like Vervet, Baboons, Blue monkeys Black and white colobus monkeys.However there is no chimpanzee habituation, trekking is done in two sessions the morning at 8:00 am and afternoon at 2:00PM. A trekking premit costs $130 per person.

3.Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park.

Budongo Forest is located in the southeastern part of murchsion falls in Uganda withover 600 chimpanzees . Tracking chimpanzees in the ancient trees (Kaniyo pabidi) is sometimes hard like during the dry season when the food is little since they tend to move deep into the forest.The dry season includes June-August and December-Feburary. Just like kibale there are two trekking session in the morning and afternoon at a cost of $130 per person.

4.Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Kyambura Gorge is located in the south western part of Uganda on the eastern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park with over 15 chimpanzees. Tracking chimpanzees in Kyambura gives you a 50-50 chance of seeing them since there is only one Chimpanzee group and they also spend most of their time up the trees, but after sometime they come down.The trek involes passing through the thick forest with cliffs and crossing streams. There are two tracking session the morning and evening session at a cost of $50 per person.

5.Bugoma Forest

Bugoma forest is located in the western parts of Uganda ,the forest has a total of 500 chimpanzees and it was opened for chimpanzee trekking on August 15 2024. Further Bugoma is a home to over 221 bird species and other primates such as  red tailed monkeys ,Blue monkeys, Red colobus , Uganda mangabey monkeys white and black colobus . Sometimes you can see Kobs,Cape buffaloes and bush elephants. A Trekking permit costs $80 per person, trekkking is done in two session the morning at 8:00am and Afternoon at 2:00PM

6.Semuliki wildlife reserve

Semuliki National park  is located on the border of Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo with about 250 chimpanzees .Its surrounded by Rwenzori Mountain,rift valley escarpment and Blue Mountain of Congo. Apart from chimpanzees you can also see Baboons. black and white colobus monkey and vervet monkey.

7.Ngamba Island Sanctuary.

Ngamba Island  is an isolated island that is located with in lake victoria  near the equator which is a  23 kilometers drive from Entebbe with 49 chimpanzees. Here Chimpanzee tracking is not done in a forest but in set locations in the sanctuary. It’s the best place to see chimpanzees if you have limited time in Uganda and also childern below 12 years are allowed here. Further there is no time limitations and you can also get the chance to feed the chimpanzees.

8.Kinyampanika Chimp Trail in Rwenzori Mountains National Park

The kinyampanika trail is located in Rwenzori Mountains National Park in western Uganda. It was opened by Kinyampanika Chimpanzee Conservation and Development Association and its home to a group of habituated chimpanzees. Here the chimpanzees are ever moving but since it a small area, its easy to track them. The number of chimpanzees in the Kinyampanika is not clear.

Best time for chimpanzee tracking

The best time for chimpanzee tracking is during the dry season that is from  June -September and December -February. This is the best time because the trails are dry making it more accessible and easy to locate chimpanzees since they spend most of there time in the open areas.

Packing list for Chimpanzee tracking

• Warm Socks -To keep your feet dry
• Long sleeved shirts -To protect your arms from scratches
• Trekking boots -for easy navigation through the forest
• A jacket -To keep you warm during the chilly mornings
• Water proof trouser -to protect you from the thorny bushes and scratches
• Gloves -To protect your hands from thorns
• Backpack -For keeping essentials like Insect repellent
• Camera(Smart phone) -for taking pictures
• Water bottle -Inorder to stay hydrated
• Binoculars -For a closer view of the chimpanzees
• Insect repellent -For keeping mosquitoes and bugs away
• Hand sanitizer -for a quick clean up
• Rain coat -To keep you dry
• Sunglasses and Hat -For protection from the sun rays