Into the Forest with Our Closest Relatives
Chimpanzees: Wild, Loud, and Unforgettable
Chimpanzees are not gentle. They're chaotic, dramatic, and thrilling—and tracking them through the forest is pure adventure.
- Duration
- 2-6 hours (half day); full day for habituation experience
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best time
- Year-round; drier months (June-Sept, Dec-Feb) for easier walking
- Price range
- $200-250 for tracking; $300 for habituation (Uganda)
A permit is required for this experience. Book well in advance; we arrange it for you.
Chimpanzees share 98.7% of our DNA—even closer than gorillas. But where gorillas are calm and contemplative, chimps are electric. They scream, they chase each other through the canopy, they squabble and play and hoot. Watching them is like watching humanity with the volume turned up and the filter turned off.
The Search
You enter the forest as the chimps are waking. Listen: that eerie pant-hoot echoing through the trees signals males declaring territory. Your guide follows the calls. Chimps move fast—swinging through branches 30 meters up, covering ground you have to fight through on foot. This is active tracking, not a gentle walk.
The Show
When you find them, it's chaos in the best way. Juveniles wrestle. Mothers groom babies. Dominant males display, charging through the undergrowth, drumming on tree buttresses. Food calls bring the group together in a frenzy. It's loud, dynamic, and completely captivating.
The Difference
Gorilla trekking is profound and emotional. Chimpanzee tracking is exhilarating and fun. Gorillas sit. Chimps perform. Both are incredible—just different energies. We recommend doing both if your schedule allows.
Gallery
Chimpanzee Tracking, in pictures
Destinations
Where to experience this
Different countries offer different perspectives on this experience. Here's how they compare.
Uganda
Kibale Forest National Park · Kyambura Gorge · Budongo Forest
Uganda is the chimpanzee tracking capital of East Africa. Kibale Forest has the highest density of primates in Africa—13 species including 1,500 chimps. Success rates are very high (around 90–95%). Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth NP) offers a unique "underground forest" experience in a dramatic rift valley gorge.
- •Kibale: 1,500 chimps, 90–95% success rate
- •Kyambura: Dramatic gorge setting
- •Budongo: Forest walks with chimps and birds
- •Optional habituation experience (full day with chimps)
Best for: Highest success rates and variety of tracking locations. Habituation experience available in Uganda (spend full day with researchers and chimps).
Explore destination →
Rwanda
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe is one of Africa's oldest rainforests and home to 13 primate species including habituated chimpanzee groups. The forest is pristine and remote. Chimp tracking here is combined with a stunning canopy walk and excellent birding.
- •400+ chimps in ancient montane rainforest
- •Canopy walkway 50 meters above ground
- •13 primate species total
- •Colobus monkeys in massive super-troops
Best for: Travelers combining gorilla trekking in Volcanoes with forest experiences. Those who want pristine rainforest and exceptional birding. The canopy walk is a highlight.
Explore destination →tanzania
Mahale Mountains National Park · Gombe Stream National Park
Tanzania offers the most remote and exclusive chimpanzee experiences. Mahale and Gombe (made famous by Jane Goodall) sit on Lake Tanganyika and are reached via Kigoma by boat or light aircraft. These are remote, unhurried experiences with wild chimp communities and stunning lake settings.
- •Most remote chimp trekking in Africa
- •Gombe: Jane Goodall's research site
- •Mahale: Crystal-clear lake beaches
- •Remote lodges and park rest houses
Best for: Travelers seeking ultra-exclusive experiences with the budget to match. Those combining Serengeti safaris with something completely different.
Explore destination →Why it stays with you
What makes it special
Years of experience
From our guides
Kibale is Your Best Bet
If seeing chimps is a priority, book Kibale. It has the highest density of chimps in Africa and the best success rates. Kyambura Gorge is beautiful but success rates are lower (60-70%) because the gorge's small population moves freely in and out.
Consider the Habituation Experience
The standard trek gives you one hour with chimps. The habituation experience (offered in Uganda) means spending the full day with researchers as they follow and study a less-habituated group. You see nest building, morning activities, feeding, and social dynamics most tourists miss. It's more expensive but extraordinary.
Combine with Bigodi Wetlands
After morning chimp tracking in Kibale, visit Bigodi Wetlands (20 minutes away). This community-run wetland sanctuary has incredible birding, other primates, and a chance to see the rare Sitatunga antelope. Plus, your fee supports local families.
They Move Fast
Unlike gorillas, which often sit and eat, chimps are constantly moving. Be ready for moderate scrambling through forest undergrowth to keep up. They might be on the ground one minute and 30 meters up in the canopy the next. It's energetic and thrilling.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Ready to experience this?
Tell us about your dream safari and we'll create a personalized itinerary featuring chimpanzee tracking.
Inquiring about: Chimpanzee Tracking