4 days
Gorilla and Primate Safaris
4 Day Chimpanzee and Queen Elizabeth Safari
Track chimpanzees in Kibale's rainforest, then trade the forest for the savanna and the boat cruise of Queen Elizabeth.
Price on request
The primate capital of Uganda, with chimpanzee tracking, red colobus, black-and-white colobus and a forest edge wetland that birders love.
Kibale National Park is often called the primate capital of the world, and the count supports the claim. The Uganda Wildlife Authority lists thirteen primate species in the forest, including red colobus, black-and-white colobus, L'Hoest's monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys, and more than 1,500 chimpanzees living in at least twelve communities.
Chimpanzee tracking is the headline. Small groups walk into the forest with a ranger, sometimes for a couple of hours and sometimes for much longer, and spend one hour with a community once they find it. UWA gives a sighting success rate of over ninety per cent and sets the minimum age at sixteen. Our guide to gorilla trekking versus chimpanzee tracking helps you decide how to fit them into one trip.
A longer option, the chimpanzee habituation experience, follows a semi-habituated group through the day with researchers. It is a deeper but more demanding experience, and it suits guests who prefer quality over quantity.
The forest edge also rewards a slower day. Community-run walks through the nearby Bigodi wetland are known for birds, monkeys and butterflies, and they support local households. Kibale lists about 370 bird species including 23 Albertine Rift endemics, so a morning with a good bird guide is worth planning. See our Uganda birdwatching guide.
A tracking morning follows a simple pattern. UWA lists daily walks at 8:00 am, 11:00 am and 2:00 pm from the Kanyanchu visitor centre, with groups of no more than six. You meet your ranger, hear a briefing on distance and behaviour, then walk into the forest, which can take two to five hours before you spend your hour with the chimpanzees. Wear long sleeves and trousers, carry water and bring waterproof boots.
Kibale is often paired with Queen Elizabeth National Park, which lies a few hours south. Our 4 day Kibale chimps and Queen Elizabeth safari combines both, and it makes a good first leg for travellers heading on to Bwindi for gorillas.
A guided forest walk to find a habituated chimpanzee community, followed by one hour in their company. Groups are small and walks start in the morning or afternoon.
A longer day following a semi-habituated group with researchers. It is more demanding but offers more time and closer behavioural insight.
A community-led walk through a papyrus swamp edge for birds, monkeys and butterflies. Wear waterproof shoes and bring binoculars.
About 370 species have been recorded, and early morning guided walks give the best chances of forest specialists.
Red colobus, black-and-white colobus and mangabeys are often seen on tracking walks and wetland trails.
Scenic crater lakes and tea country around Fort Portal make a relaxed rest-day drive.
Chimpanzees can be tracked all year. Drier months, roughly June to August and December to February, make trails less slippery, while the wetter months, roughly March to May and September to November, keep the forest very green and sometimes quieter. Showers can come at any time in the forest, so bring a waterproof layer whatever the month. Read our seasons guide for the wider picture.
From Mbarara the road runs north-west toward Fort Portal, which is roughly four hours depending on the route and traffic. UWA places the park about 326 kilometres from Kampala by tarmac road, around six hours, and Fort Portal about an hour from the park. There are no direct flights, but flights run from Entebbe or Kajjansi to Kasese, with a road transfer of about two hours. Ask for the route and the tracking time you want on the plan your trip page.
UWA reports a sighting success rate above ninety per cent on tracking walks. Chimpanzees move through the forest, so the walk can be short or long.
One hour once the group is found. Visitors stay in small groups with a ranger, who sets the rules for distance and behaviour.
UWA sets it at sixteen. Families with younger children can instead choose the Bigodi wetland walk. See our guide to a Uganda safari with children.
Long trousers, sturdy boots, a rain layer, insect repellent and binoculars. Our Uganda safari packing list has the full checklist.
Yes, they are a few hours apart and a popular pairing. See our 4 day Kibale chimps and Queen Elizabeth safari.
They are different. Chimps are quick and noisy, while gorillas are calm and powerful. Read our comparison in gorilla trekking versus chimpanzee tracking.
Both are unforgettable and both are done on foot. Here is how gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking differ, and how to choose or combine them.
A practical packing list for a Uganda safari, with extra items for gorilla and chimpanzee treks, so you carry what helps and leave the rest at home.
How to spend three days in Queen Elizabeth National Park: the Kazinga Channel cruise, game drives, Ishasha's tree-climbing lions and Kyambura Gorge.
Trips that include it
4 days
Gorilla and Primate Safaris
Track chimpanzees in Kibale's rainforest, then trade the forest for the savanna and the boat cruise of Queen Elizabeth.
Price on request
6 days
Birding Safaris
Six days of savanna, wetland and forest birding across western Uganda, from Lake Mburo to Queen Elizabeth and Kibale.
Price on request
Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming. We will come back with a plan and a price.