Uganda Chimp trekking price.
Uganda Chimp trekking is always (valid for 24 hours) cost $40 for foreign non-residents, $30 for foreign residents, and UGX 20,000 for East African citizens per adult. Children pay lower rates, and chimpanzee tracking permits ($200–$250) usually include park entry. You can check exact details via the Uganda Wildlife Authority
Uganda is one of the best destinations in Africa for chimpanzee trekking, with Kibale National Park being the country’s most famous destination for this exciting primate experience. Chimpanzee trekking gives visitors an opportunity to enter the rainforest with experienced guides and search for habituated chimpanzee communities in their natural environment.
Chimpanzee Trekking Permit Cost in Uganda
As of July 2026, the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s revised tariff lists the standard chimpanzee tracking permit in Kibale National Park at:
Foreign non-residents: USD 300 per person
Foreign residents: USD 200 per person
Rest of Africa: USD 100 per person
East African citizens: UGX 180,000 per person
These rates apply to chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park.
These rates apply to chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park.
The permit is an important part of the chimpanzee trekking experience because it gives visitors authorization to participate in the activity and contributes to wildlife conservation and the management of the national park.
What Does the Permit Include?
The chimpanzee tracking fee at Kibale includes the guided tracking experience and, under the UWA tariff structure, the relevant park entrance fee for the day. However, the permit does not normally cover accommodation, transportation to Kibale, meals, or other safari expenses.
Therefore, travelers should budget separately for their safari vehicle, driver-guide, accommodation, meals and other activities.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
For visitors who want to spend considerably more time with chimpanzees, Uganda also offers a chimpanzee habituation experience. This is different from ordinary trekking because visitors can spend several hours observing the chimpanzees as they become accustomed to human presence.
Under the revised tariff, the habituation experience costs:
Foreign non-residents: USD 400
Foreign residents: USD 300
Rest of Africa: USD 250
East African citizens: UGX 250,000
Why Book Your Chimpanzee Permit Early?
Chimpanzee trekking is a popular activity, especially during the high tourist seasons. It is therefore advisable to reserve your permit in advance, particularly if you are travelling as a group or have fixed travel dates.
Booking early also allows you to organize your accommodation, transportation and other activities around the confirmed trekking date.
Where to see the chimps in Uganda’s?
Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is the most famous destination for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and is widely regarded as one of the best places in East Africa to see chimpanzees. Uganda Wildlife Authority notes that Kibale is home to around 1,500 chimpanzees. Visitors can participate in both ordinary chimpanzee tracking and the chimpanzee habituation experience.
During trekking, visitors walk through the beautiful tropical forest with trained guides while searching for habituated chimpanzee communities. In addition to chimpanzees, the forest is home to several other primates, birds, butterflies and forest animals. This makes Kibale an excellent destination for travelers interested in primates and nature.
Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest is another important place to see chimpanzees in Uganda. It is located within the greater Murchison Falls landscape, making it possible for visitors to combine chimpanzee tracking with a traditional wildlife safari.
The Budongo Conservation Field Station reports that the forest is home to approximately 600–700 chimpanzees. Several chimpanzee communities have been studied and habituated, while Kaniyo-Pabidi is one of the areas recommended for visitors.
A visit to Budongo is particularly attractive because tourists can combine chimpanzee trekking with a safari in Murchison Falls National Park, where they can also look for elephants, lions, giraffes, hippos and many species of birds.
Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is located in Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. The gorge contains a forested valley where visitors can trek in search of chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge is a wonderful addition to a Queen Elizabeth safari because tourists can combine primate viewing with game drives and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. Chimpanzee sightings can be less predictable than in Kibale, but the beautiful gorge and forest make the experience worthwhile.
Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu Forest is located near Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. It is another destination where visitors can participate in chimpanzee trekking.
The forest is rich in biodiversity and contains chimpanzees as well as many other species of monkeys, birds and butterflies. Its location makes it convenient for travelers who are already visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park and want to add a chimpanzee experience to their safari.
For travelers who are staying around Entebbe or Kampala, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary provides a different opportunity to see chimpanzees. Unlike trekking in the wild, Ngamba Island is a sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees.
Visitors can travel by boat across Lake Victoria to the island and observe the chimpanzees while learning about their conservation, rescue and rehabilitation. Uganda’s 2026 State of Wildlife Resources report records 54 chimpanzees under ex-situ management at Ngamba Island.