Best Places to See Chimpanzees in East Africa

best-places-to-see-chimpanzees-in-east-africa

Chimpanzee trekking tours are among the most popular primate and wildlife safaris in East Africa. The region is home to some of the best destinations for encountering these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. At One More Adventure Safaris, we operate tours across both Rwanda and Uganda, which are renowned for their exceptional chimpanzee trekking experiences.

Rwanda

In Rwanda, chimpanzee trekking is primarily conducted in Nyungwe National Park, which is a lush rainforest and biodiversity hotspot. There are three key areas within Nyungwe where visitors can embark on chimpanzee trekking adventures:

  1. Uwinka: Known for its dense forest canopy and diverse wildlife, Uwinka offers an immersive trekking experience.
  2. Cyamudongo: This small, isolated forest is renowned as the best chimpanzee trekking area in Nyungwe due to its high success rate of sightings.
  3. Gisovu: Another excellent location within Nyungwe, Gisovu provides a rich trekking experience amidst stunning natural scenery.

Uganda

Uganda is a top destination for chimpanzee trekking, boasting several national parks where these primates can be observed:

  1. Kibale National Park
    • Highlights: Kibale is the premier hotspot for chimpanzee trekking in the world, home to over 1,500 chimpanzees. It also offers the unique chimpanzee habituation experience, where visitors can spend an extended period with the chimps, observing their daily activities.
    • Best Time to Visit: Kibale can be visited year-round, but the dry seasons (June to September and December to February) are ideal for trekking.
  2. Queen Elizabeth National Park
    • Kyambura Gorge: Known as the “Valley of Apes,” Kyambura Gorge offers an adventurous trekking experience with the added beauty of the gorge’s lush, scenic landscape.
    • Kalinzu Forest Reserve: Another great spot within Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu provides excellent opportunities for chimpanzee sightings.
  3. Murchison Falls National Park
    • Budongo Forest Reserve: Located within the Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo is famous for its large chimpanzee population and offers thrilling trekking experiences.
  4. Semuliki National Park
    • Chimpanzee Trekking: Though less known, Semuliki also offers chimpanzee trekking opportunities in a diverse and less crowded environment.

Why Choose Kibale National Park?

Among all the locations mentioned, Kibale National Park in Uganda stands out as the top hotspot for chimpanzee trekking. Its extensive chimpanzee population, combined with the unique chimpanzee habituation experience, makes it an unparalleled destination for primate enthusiasts. The park’s well-maintained trails and experienced guides further enhance the trekking experience, ensuring high chances of close encounters with these intelligent primates.

Plan Your Primate Safari with One More Adventure Safaris

If you’re planning a primate safari to East Africa, One More Adventure Safaris can tailor your trip to include the best chimpanzee trekking experiences. We can combine chimpanzee trekking with other primate adventures, such as gorilla trekking, to create a comprehensive and unforgettable safari itinerary.

Get in Touch: Contact our sales team to have your safari tailored to your specific interests and preferences. Whether you wish to trek in Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park or Uganda’s Kibale National Park, we are here to make your dream safari a reality. Let One More Adventure Safaris guide you on an incredible journey to meet the remarkable chimpanzees of East Africa.

Once you start a trip planned by One More Adventure Safaris, you fall into the One More Adventure rhythm. No request is too small, neither complicated, we curate the entire trip with you, from start until when you meet your interest and budget at hand. Our rapport with the local guides and continuous assessment of your interests and needs demonstrated the diamond standard of all safari specialists. We are also available outside working hours when a couple of things needs to get done.