Lake Mburo National Park: The Hidden Gem of Uganda’s Wilderness
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale: A Thrilling Journey into the Wild
June 23, 2025
Blogs
In the heart of Kibale National Park, the rain forest orchestra wakes up—the rustle of leaves, distant calls of exotic birds, and the sound of a branch snapping as a chimpanzee swings through the trees. It’s also known as chimpanzee tracking, a thrilling experience that allows you to see our closest relatives in the animal kingdom up close.
If you’ve ever aspired to hike through an untouched African forest, eyeball to eyeball with a wild chimpanzee, Kibale is the place for you. It’s here that you’ll have the extraordinary opportunity to meet man’s closest relative.
Why Kibale? The Primate Capital of the World
This is arguably no ordinary safari stop; it’s a primate paradise home to a dozen or so primate species, with more than 1,500 chimps among its population. It provides the most significant opportunity in Uganda to view these mysterious primates in their own lovely habitat.
Chimpanzees are also very active and sociable, unlike gorillas. They exchange thrilling pant-hoots, drumming on tree trunks, and races. When you’re in their world, you step into a live documentary and, guess what, you’re in the scene this time!
Getting There Is Half The Fun: What To Expect
Your chimpanzee adventure begins at the Kanyanchu Visitor Center, where experienced guides provide a briefing before leading you deep into the dense jungle.
- Time: Depending on the location of the chimps that day, the trek can range from a 30-minute walk to a 3-hour walk.
- Reading the Signs: Guides search for hints such as fresh nests, broken branches, and distant calls to find a troop.
- The Moment the Discovery Was Made: All at once, you hear “Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!” and then, a quick burst of motion—the chimps are here!
When you come across them, you get one magical hour to witness their routine. See them groom each other, nurse the young, swing from trees, or even chuck playful fits. “An experience that’s by the soul, simply to be in awe of nature’s intelligence
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHE): The Best Wildlife Encounter
Like to linger with the chimps? The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience offers the opportunity to follow a troop from dawn to dusk as they wake up, feed, play, and interact with one another.
- Great for wildlife photographers & those that love primates
- Research & ranger deeper dives. More depth from researchers & rangers
- An opportunity to witness rare behaviors, such as hunting & tool use
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