02/10/2026
Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda: where to go, what it costs and when to visit 🌿
Gorillas get the headlines, but chimpanzee tracking is one of the most exciting primate experiences in Uganda, and often the one clients remember for its energy. Chimps are fast, loud and endlessly expressive. Here is what advisors need to know.
Where to find them
🌳 Kibale National Park: the best known and most reliable place, with the highest chances of an encounter. Tracking here can be paired with Queen Elizabeth National Park or Fort Portal.
🌳 Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park: a dramatic forested gorge, a very different setting from Kibale, and easy to add to a Queen Elizabeth stay.
🌳 Budongo Forest, near Murchison Falls: a good fit for clients already heading north to the Nile and the falls.
What it costs (per person, foreign non-resident permit)
💲 Kibale tracking is set to rise to $300 from 1 January 2027, up from the current $250.
💲 Kyambura Gorge tracking moves from $100 to $200 in the 2027 tariff.
💲 Low-season permits at $200 apply in April, May and November 2026, so there is still a saving for clients who can travel next month.
💲 A longer chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale is $400 from 2027, for guests who want more time with the chimps.
Park entry, transport and lodging are extra and depend on the itinerary. (UWA NEW TARIFFS PLUS UGANDA HIGH SEASON AND LOW SEASON DISCOUNTED GORILLA & CHIMPANZEE PERMIT PRICES (2026–2027 UPDATE) - Murchison Falls National Park +3)
When to visit
Chimpanzees can be tracked all year, so there is no wrong time. The drier months generally mean easier trails, while the greener, wetter months bring lush forest and fewer visitors. Pairing a chimp trek with your client's other plans usually matters more than the month.
A tip from the ground
Chimp tracking is physically lighter than gorilla trekking, but the forest is humid and the trails can be muddy. Early starts, good boots and a rest day afterwards make the experience far more enjoyable.
We are booking now for 2026 and 2027. With the 2027 permit increases coming, the best time to lock in your clients' dates is now. Message me with your client's travel