Safari experts & storytellers. Since 1991
Chimp trekking - meet our closest wild relative
Time spent with this, our closest cousins in the primate family tree, is a humbling and spiritual experience that is the highlight for most of our experienced travellers.
Chimps are more active than gorillas, and finding them as they forage widely can be challenging. Once found, expect a fascinating encounter as they play, bicker, mate and care for their babies. If you are lucky, you may hear them pant-hooting - a truly evocative sound. Few fortunate tourists get to witness chimps hunting monkeys.
Our favourite Chimp Trekking safari ideas
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All you need to know about chimpanzee trekking
Chimp trekking basics
Being omnivores, chimpanzees are much more active than the usually sedentary and vegetarian gorillas. Finding them requires trekking for two to seven hours along forest pathways, sometimes via known fruiting trees and other food sources.
Chimp encounters can be an exhilarating experience, as they are often very active, especially if they are hunting monkeys, facing up to rival troops or moving fast to another area.
Standard treks allow one hour with the chimps once located. Some destinations offer chimp habituation experiences, allowing up to 4 hours with a semi-habituated group.
Meeting chimpanzees in the wild is an extraordinary experience. Coming face to face with an animal so clearly intelligent and thoughtful is unlike any other animal encounter in Africa and hard to put into words.
Where to find chimpanzees
Chimpanzees occur across a wide swathe of central and west Africa, but the best places to view them are:
Kibale National Park (Uganda): more than 1,000 chimps and 12 other primate species, such as Ugandan red colobus and the elusive potto.
Budongo Forest (Uganda): 600-700 chimpanzees and 11 other primate species, such as black-and-white colobus and the rarely seen potto.
Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda): An isolated population of 30-40 of what are known as the “Lost Chimpanzees” survives in the mystical forests of Kyambura Gorge.
Nyungwe National Park (Rwanda): 400-600 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species, including a 400-strong mega-troop of Rwenzori pied colobus and the rarely seen owl-faced monkey.
Mahale Mountains National Park (Tanzania): more than 1,000 chimps, subjects of a long-running study, venture onto the white-sand beaches of Lake Tanganyika.
About chimpanzees
Chimpanzees live in western and central African woodlands and farmland. They are the smallest of the great apes and our closest living relative, sharing 98% of our DNA.
There are two chimpanzee species – the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), with four subspecies, and the bonobo or pygmy chimpanzee (Pan paniscus). They live in troops averaging 35 members (the largest known troop has 150 members).
Like humans, chimpanzees are omnivorous. They are opportunistic feeders, with fruit forming half of the diet, supplemented by leaves, stems, seeds, flowers, bark, pith, honey, mushrooms, resin, eggs, and animal prey such as insects and medium-sized mammals. They are the most carnivorous of the great apes (other than humans) and are known to form hunting parties to track down and catch species such as colobus monkeys. Read more about chimps here.
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... I am not the easiest client to arrange trips for, being a full-time wheelchair user, but that doesn't prevent Christian from coming up with a plan to ensure I get to do what I wish. The last trip earlier this year to Uganda and Rwanda included chimp trekking, the shoebill stork, and, finally, gorilla trekking; what an amazing experience ...
On Uganda: The main attraction was obviously the gorillas, but for this trip chose to spend 2 weeks visiting other areas in Uganda as well ... the trip included the rhino sanctuary in Ziwa, Murchison Park, Kibale Forest, QE park and Bwindi. Don't miss the chimp treks...they are endlessly fascinating! ...
My trip was beyond belief ... I saw more forest elephant than I ever imagined. I even saw some rare creatures, be it ever so fleeting, including chimpanzee, bongo, and sitatunga antelope. I have been asked where I want to go next, but the truth is ... I just want to go back. No disappointments... not one.
Frequently asked questions
Chimp trekking involves hiking with guides for 2–7 hours to find habituated chimpanzees.
You will spend one hour with the chimp group, and masks must be worn when with the chimps.
Chimpanzees are found throughout western and central Africa, and trekking takes place in Uganda's Kibale and Queen Elizabeth national parks and Budongo Forest, Rwanda's Nyungwe National Park and Tanzania's Mahale Mountains National Park.
The minimum age to trek for chimpanzees is 15, and group sizes are limited to 6 to 8 participants.
The best chimp trekking months are the dry seasons (June to September and January to February).
Chimp trekking permits cost between US$100 and US$300, depending on location.
Peak-season bookings require 12 to 18 months' advance planning.
The best time of year to trek for chimpanzees is during the dry seasons (June to September and January to February), when hiking trails are less muddy, and vegetation is thinner, making the physical trek less arduous and sightings clearer.
Pack water, snacks for while you walk, lunch, raincoat, several layers of clothing, wide-brimmed hat, hiking shoes/boots, towel, insect repellent and equipment such as binoculars, cameras and lenses.
Backpack: Take a day pack for the above items.
Porter: Hire a porter for the hike - he will carry your backpack, freeing you to carry only binoculars and perhaps a camera. The cost is a fraction of your daily expenses on safari in Africa, yet it makes a big difference in the porter's life.
Photography: The forest can be dark, and the use of large lenses will be limited. Keep that big lens in your backpack, and use a general-purpose lens on your camera. Keep a dry lens cloth handy to wipe away dew and raindrops. Flash photography is not permitted while with the chimps.
Waterproofing: Carry a few waterproof bags for equipment in case of showers and high humidity.
Mask: Some treks require the use of a surgical mask while you are with the chimps.
The hiking pace is usually relaxed, but it speeds up when the chimpanzees are on the move. The landscape is usually not as steep as it is for gorilla trekking, which means a lower level of fitness is required. But you still need to be able to walk for three to seven hours at a relaxed pace.
The minimum age for chimp trekking is 15 years. There is no maximum age.
Standard treks allow one hour with the chimps once located. Some destinations offer chimp habituation experiences, allowing up to 4 hours with a semi-habituated group.
Viewing distance is typically 10-20 metres, but chimps may move closer on their own. Strict rules apply to minimise disease transmission.
Trekking rules are essential to protect chimpanzees' health, as they are susceptible to human diseases. Chimps will be stressed if there are too many visitors or if visitors misbehave.
Mask
Wearing a surgical mask while meeting chimpanzees is mandatory.
Feeling sick?
If you show any sign of illness on the day of your trek, please let your guide or the park staff know. They may decide to prevent you from trekking on that day. Exposing chimps to disease may be catastrophic for the entire population. Also, if you are in the company of chimps and need to cough or sneeze, face away from the chimps - even while wearing the required mask.
Group size and duration
Group size is limited to 6 or 8 tourists, and the interaction time is 1 hour.
Minimum visitor age
The minimum age for tourists is 15 years old, to prevent exposing the chimps to childhood diseases such as mumps, chickenpox, measles, etc.
Photography
Flash photography is not permitted - the flash may frighten the chimps or provoke an aggressive reaction.
Minimum distance
Tourists must remain at least seven metres from the chimps. They may approach you, in which case you should retreat slowly if possible.
Stay together
Try to remain in a tight group - to make it easier for your guides to manage the situation and to prevent the chimps from feeling threatened.
Your behaviour while with chimps
Remain seated or crouching and keep your arms at your side when spending time with chimps. Keep quiet - even when filming a selfie. Shouting, standing or gesturing with your arms may be perceived as a threat by chimps.
Eating, drinking & smoking
No eating, drinking or smoking is permitted anywhere near chimps. This may attract their attention, leading to unwelcome close encounters. Your food may also be harmful to their health.
Toilet
Please go to the bathroom before you set out on your trek. If you need to go to the toilet whilst in the forest, you will need to dig a deep hole to bury any excrement and fill it in afterwards. Your guides will lend you a machete for this purpose, but you will need to bring toilet paper.
Litter
Please keep all of your rubbish in your backpack and deposit it at your lodge after the trek.
Chimp trekking trips typically cost from US$700 per person, per night, depending on the accommodation comfort level and activities, excluding trekking permits. This price usually includes accommodation, all meals, game drives, experienced guides, airport transfers, and 24/7 support from our team.
A chimpanzee trek permit usually costs US$100 to US$300, depending on the location and type of trek.
You only make your first payment when you book your holiday. Your second (last) payment is about 90 days before you travel.
Peak season bookings require 12–18 months of advance planning. Trips outside of peak season can be arranged 6–9 months ahead, with better rates and availability.
Click here to schedule a no-obligation call with one of our Safari Experts or fill in our 2-minute form with your questions. Our team of experts are here to help! Whether you’re curious about the best time to travel, want to hear first-hand about an experience or need help planning your safari.
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