Uganda is home to over 5,000 chimpanzees, making it one of the best countries in East Africa for chimpanzee trekking and viewing. With several locations where you can see these fascinating primates, choosing where to go can sometimes be difficult.
Here are the 7 best places to see chimpanzees in Uganda.
1. Kibale Forest in Kibale National Park – Chimps in Uganda
Kibale Forest is one of the best places to see chimpanzees in Uganda. The forest has several habituated chimpanzee groups that can be tracked in the morning or afternoon.
After finding the chimpanzees, visitors can spend time observing them in their natural habitat. You can also take part in a chimpanzee habituation experience, which allows you to spend an entire day observing the chimps as they become accustomed to human presence.
Kibale National Park has one of the highest concentrations of chimpanzees in Uganda, with approximately 1,500 chimpanzees. The forest also offers opportunities to see other primates, including red-tailed monkeys and blue monkeys, as well as a variety of birds and butterflies around Bigodi Swamp Sanctuary.
2. Kalinzu Forest in Bushenyi District
Kalinzu Forest is another excellent destination for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda. Chimpanzees can often be found relatively easily, making it a popular alternative to Kibale Forest.
During your visit, you may also encounter baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys. The forest is also home to many bird and butterfly species.
Unlike Kibale Forest, Kalinzu does not currently offer a chimpanzee habituation experience. There is also limited accommodation within the forest, although visitors can find accommodation nearby, including around Queen Elizabeth National Park.
3. Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park
Budongo Forest, located within Murchison Falls National Park, is another important destination for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda.
The chimpanzees can be found around Kaniyo-Pabidi, an area known for its ancient trees and rich forest environment. However, chimpanzee sightings can sometimes be more challenging, particularly during the dry seasons when food becomes scarce and the animals move deeper into the forest.
Chimpanzee tracking is available in both the morning and afternoon, and visitors can also participate in chimpanzee habituation experiences.
A visit to Budongo Forest can easily be combined with a safari in Murchison Falls National Park, where you can look for elephants, lions, buffalo and other wildlife. You can also enjoy a boat cruise to the base of the spectacular Murchison Falls.
4. Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kyambura Gorge, also known as the “Valley of Apes,” offers a unique chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda.
The chances of seeing chimpanzees here can vary, but the beautiful scenery makes the experience worthwhile. The trek takes you through dense forest, across streams and through a dramatic gorge surrounded by cliffs.
Many travellers combine chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge with a visit to Kalinzu Forest to increase their chances of seeing chimpanzees while experiencing the unique landscapes of both destinations.
5. Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve
Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve is located in western Uganda and is surrounded by the Rift Valley escarpment, the Rwenzori Mountains and the Blue Mountains of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Visitors can take a primate walk lasting around three to four hours in search of chimpanzees and other primates, including black-and-white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys and baboons.
The reserve also offers game drives where you may see Uganda kob, warthogs, elephants and buffalo. Other activities include cultural experiences and boat cruises on Lake Albert, where visitors can look for bird species such as the shoebill.
6. Kinyampanika Chimp Trail in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The Kinyampanika Chimp Trail offers an opportunity to see wild, unhabituated chimpanzees in their natural environment.
The trail was established by the Kinyampanika Chimpanzee Conservation and Development Association and provides visitors with a chance to support chimpanzee conservation and local communities.
While tracking chimpanzees, you can also enjoy birdwatching and views of the impressive Rwenzori Mountains, including their snow-capped peaks.
7. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary offers a different way to see chimpanzees in Uganda. Instead of trekking through a forest to find them, visitors can observe the chimpanzees from designated areas within the sanctuary.
It is a convenient option for travellers with limited time in Uganda and for families travelling with children.
A visit can be completed in half a day or extended into a full-day experience. Visitors can also learn more about chimpanzee care and conservation, including opportunities to see how the chimpanzees are cared for and fed.
The sanctuary can also be combined with a boat trip across Lake Victoria and the Equator.
Best Places to See Chimpanzees in Uganda
Uganda offers several excellent destinations for chimpanzee tracking and viewing. Kibale Forest is one of the most popular choices, while destinations such as Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge and Ngamba Island offer different experiences.
Choose the destination that best matches your travel plans, available time and preferred wildlife experience, and enjoy the opportunity to see chimpanzees in Uganda.
