Chimpanzee Tracking
Enter the Primate Capital of the World for a high-energy encounter with our closest living relatives.
1 Hour
Strict Viewing Time
Max 6 People
Group Size Limit
95%+
Sighting Success Rate
UWA Permit
Requirement
A High-Energy Forest Encounter
Kibale National Park is home to the highest density and diversity of primates in all of Africa, boasting an incredible 13 different species.
While mountain gorillas are known for being peaceful and serene, tracking chimpanzees is a totally different, highly active experience. Chimpanzees share 98.7% of our DNA, and watching them swing rapidly through the canopy, drum on tree buttresses, groom each other, and hunt is wildly entertaining.
The experience is intensely auditory. Long before you see the chimpanzees, you will hear their haunting “pant-hoots” echoing through the dense mahogany forest, signaling their location to the UWA rangers leading your expedition.
The Tracking Day
A step-by-step look at your morning inside the ancient mahogany forest.
The Briefing
Your day begins at 08:00 AM at the Kanyanchu Visitor Center. UWA rangers provide a comprehensive briefing covering the forest’s ecology, chimpanzee behavior, and strict safety rules before dividing visitors into small tracking groups.
Following the Calls
The hike through the relatively flat but dense forest usually takes 2 to 3 hours total. Rangers use their expert tracking skills, looking for fresh droppings, broken branches, and listening intently for loud pant-hoots to locate the fast-moving primates.
The Encounter
Once you find the community, you have exactly one hour to observe them. They might be resting on the forest floor, eating fruit high in the figs, or aggressively protecting their territory. It requires you to look up just as often as you look ahead.
Need to Know Before You Go
UWA Permits Handled
Chimpanzee tracking requires a government permit issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. 6Summits seamlessly handles the procurement of these permits as part of your comprehensive safari package.
Health & Distance
Chimpanzees are highly susceptible to human diseases like the flu. You must maintain a strict 8-meter (25-foot) distance. If you are showing signs of illness, you will not be allowed to enter the forest.
Specific Packing List
The forest floor can be muddy, and you will be looking up frequently. Waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, strong insect repellent, and binoculars (essential for high-canopy viewing) are mandatory.
Add Tracking to Your Expedition
Combine your Rwenzori summit with a visit to the primate capital. Let us check permit availability for your dates.