Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
If gorilla trekking is Uganda's crown jewel, chimpanzee tracking runs a very close second — and for many travelers, it turns out to be the wildlife encounter they talk about longest after returning home. Chimpanzees are our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, sharing roughly 98% of our DNA, and spending time in their presence is a profoundly moving and often surprisingly entertaining experience.
Uganda is one of the best places in Africa to track wild chimpanzees, with Kibale National Park standing out as the undisputed capital of chimpanzee trekking on the continent.
Where to Track Chimpanzees in Uganda
At Tarec Gorilla Safaris, we seamlessly weave chimpanzee tracking into your broader Uganda safari experience
Home to an estimated 1,500 chimpanzees, Kibale's dense tropical forest comes alive with their calls, crashes through the canopy, and moments of startling, almost human behavior — grooming, playing, squabbling, and going about their complex social lives in ways that will leave you genuinely awestruck.
Beyond Kibale, we can also take you to the Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park — a dramatic sunken forest where habituated chimpanzee communities roam — or to Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park for yet another incredible primate encounter.
Our expert local guides bring these forests and their inhabitants to life, sharing knowledge and insights that transform a simple walk in the woods into a rich, deeply personal wildlife experience.
Top Chimpanzee Tracking Destinations
Kibale Forest
The primate capital of Africa — home to over 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species.
Kyambura Gorge
A dramatic sunken forest in Queen Elizabeth National Park with habituated chimpanzee communities.
Budongo Forest
Located in Murchison Falls National Park, offering incredible chimpanzee tracking opportunities.