Follow experienced trackers through tropical forest to find a wild chimpanzee community - hooting, foraging and moving through the canopy just metres away. Kibale Forest in Uganda holds the highest density of chimpanzees in East Africa, and treks here run shorter and more affordable than gorilla trekking.
Kibale Forest National Park holds an estimated 1,500 chimpanzees, giving it one of the highest encounter rates of any trekking destination on the continent. Standard treks run a half day; a longer habituation experience lets you follow a community from dawn nesting through to their evening nest-building. Kibale Forest National Park holds an estimated 1,500 chimpanzees, giving it one of the highest encounter rates of any trekking destination on the continent. Standard treks run a half day; a longer habituation experience lets you follow a community from dawn nesting through to their evening nest-building.
Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda offers a similar experience on a smaller scale, easily paired with gorilla trekking on the same trip.
Chimpanzees share around 98% of human DNA - the behaviour on display feels startlingly familiar.
Treks move through dense, green Albertine Rift forest alive with birdsong and colobus monkeys.
Most treks wrap up in half a day, leaving time for other activities the same day.
Our guides work these forests year-round and understand chimp community ranging patterns, which keeps encounter rates high and treks efficient.
Every itinerary can be adjusted to your dates, pace and budget.
Chimp trekking is shorter, less expensive and permits are more widely available, though sightings can move faster since chimps travel more.
A full-day experience following researchers as they habituate a wild community to human presence, offering much longer viewing time than a standard trek.
The minimum age is generally 12, though this can vary by park - we'll confirm for your chosen location.
