Searching for the best Uganda tour operators that specialize as chimpanzee trekking companies for your next chimp trekking adventure in Africa? We recommend the best here and also share some important information to help you plan your chimpanzee trekking tours better with the right tour operators in Uganda.
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda has become one of the popular primate activities in Africa after mountain gorilla trekking, and that is a fact.
It is an amazing experience that gives tourists a rare chance to see chimpanzees up close in their natural home instead of in cages.
These recommended chimpanzee trekking tour operators in Uganda will organize for you the best tour at the best cost.
Top Tour Operators in Uganda for Chimp Trekking & More
Below are some of the best tour operators in Uganda for chimpanzee trekking and more activities.
- Magical Gorilla Adventures
- Gorilla Hurly Burly Ltd
- Irresistible Safaris
- Great Lakes Safaris
- The Uganda Safari Company
- Wild Frontiers Uganda Ltd
- Volcanoes Safaris
- African Gorilla Tours
- Gorilla Riddles
- Uganda Safaris Adventure
About Uganda – The Pearl of Africa
As you choose a Uganda tour operator to plan your trip, it is essential to know some basic information about Uganda in general.
Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa and one of the thirteen countries in the world crossed by the equator. It is naturally gifted, with well-distributed plants and animals, very friendly people, and good weather—among the best in the world.
In 1962, Uganda got its independence from colonial rule and later recovered from political problems, rebel attacks, and high levels of illiteracy. It is now a peaceful country that promotes education, conservation, and safety.
Uganda is home to the source of the longest river in the world—the River Nile. It also has Murchison Falls, one of the most powerful waterfalls, and Africa’s Big Five animals (lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos, and elephants). Uganda is also known for the rare mountain gorillas and the Batwa pygmies, who are among the shortest people in the world.
Winston Churchill once described Uganda as “The Pearl of Africa” in his book My African Journey after traveling across the continent. Uganda’s cool weather, tasty food, and natural features leave a lasting impression on all visitors.
Its neighbors include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, and South Sudan. After game drives and gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking is one of the most popular activities. Many tourists visit each year to observe and learn about the life of chimpanzees. English and Kiswahili are the main languages spoken in Uganda.
Chimpanzee Trekking Destinations in Uganda
There are three good chimpanzee trekking places in Uganda. Visitors must be at least 15 years old and book their trip with registered and licensed Uganda tour operator companies.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park is not only Uganda’s top chimpanzee trekking destination, but also one of the best in the world. It is located in the southern part of Uganda, near Fort Portal and other districts. Nearby places include Queen Elizabeth National Park (the most visited park), Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, Sebitoli, the Ndali-Kasenda Crater area, the Rwenzori Mountains, and Semuliki National Park.
Because of the many plant and animal species, Kibale is one of the most studied parks in Uganda. Researchers focus on primates, birds, trees, weather, and forest animals.
The park is 795 square kilometers and rises to about 1,590 meters above sea level, with the lowest point at 1,100 meters in the Albertine Rift Valley. It has 13 types of primates, over 350 tree species, more than 370 bird species, and about 70 forest animals. Some of the common animals are chimpanzees, grey-cheeked monkeys, baboons, vervet monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
The park has evergreen forest, wet tropical forest, and Savannah. This mix makes it a good home for primates and other animals. The park is open daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Chimpanzee trekking is the main activity, mostly done in the morning. After registration and a briefing by park rangers, visitors walk into the forest to find the chimpanzees. People often take many photos and enjoy the experience of watching the chimpanzees in their natural home.
Only people aged 15 and above, without sicknesses like flu, and with a valid permit, are allowed to trek. It takes one full day to drive from Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale, half a day from Queen Elizabeth National Park, and about 7 to 9 hours from Kampala.
The chimpanzee trekking permit costs 250 USD for foreign non-residents, 200 USD for foreign residents, and 150,000 UGX for East African citizens.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest is home to many chimpanzees and other primates like grey-cheeked monkeys, vervet monkeys, and baboons. It also has one of the few remaining natural mahogany forests in Africa. The forest lies at the southern edge of Murchison Falls National Park in Masindi District, about 5 to 6 hours’ drive from Kampala.
This large forest covers 825 square kilometers. It includes grasslands, woodland, and over 360 bird species, 28 amphibian species, many insects, a third of Uganda’s chimpanzees, and over 90 mammal species.
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo starts at 8:00 am or 2:00 pm. At the park office, rangers check permits and guide visitors through the forest. You are given one hour to take photos, videos, and ask questions. You can trek and return on the same day without paying for a place to sleep.
Trekking is done in two places: Kaniyo Pabidi (south of the forest) and Busingiro Eco-tourism Site (western side). Both can be reached through Kichumbanyobo Gate, south of Murchison Falls National Park.
Chimpanzee trekking permits cost 250 USD per foreign non-resident. For those doing the chimpanzee habituation experience, the fee is 300 USD.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is found in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is a good safari destination. The number of chimpanzees is small, so seeing them can be difficult. However, trekking here gives you nice views of birds, the gorge itself, and other animals like elephants and buffaloes.
Chimpanzee trekking permits for Kyambura cost 100 USD for foreign non-residents and foreign residents, and 30,000 UGX for East African citizens.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
If you have little time in Uganda but still want to see chimpanzees, you can visit Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria. This sanctuary is home to orphaned chimpanzees.
Visitors can see and feed them, as they stay in one protected area.
How to Choose the Best Uganda Tour Operator for Chimpanzee Trekking Tours & More Activities
Choosing the best Uganda tour operator can be a bit challenging, especially for a first-time traveler. In this section, we will make it a bit easier by giving you guidance on the key things to look at when choosing the best tour operator.
The company should be registered and licensed for operations
Only deal with Uganda tour operator companies that are legally registered and licensed. The best way to confirm this is by checking the Uganda Tourism Board website. They check and approve companies for you, so you can feel safe booking with a company listed there.
Tourism in Uganda has changed. Most companies are now registered and licensed. I would not advise you to book with a company that does not meet these standards.
The itinerary offered should be your biggest concern
Many tourists focus only on the price and do not pay attention to the itinerary. This is not right. Your itinerary should be your first concern, and you should look at it very carefully.
Check the activities, route, driving times, timing of activities, accommodation options, destinations, rest between activities, and other important things.
These are very important parts that will affect how much you enjoy the trip. A good itinerary will try to cover all these points.
Contact up to 5 Uganda safari tour companies
Talking to at least five Uganda safari companies helps you get the best price. If you talk to only one, you may miss better options.
When you talk to different tour operators in Uganda, you can compare the prices and see the average cost. Any price that is too low or too high compared to others, especially when accommodation is the same, is not normal.
Study those prices more and try to find out why they are different. If you do not find a reason, focus on the companies whose prices are close to the average.
Communication is key
No matter the price, choose companies that reply quickly. If the price is high, try to talk to them and ask for a lower price.
Companies that reply fast are usually serious about their work. They can also help outside working hours and will be there if you have a problem during your trip.
Compare company reviews
Do not book with a company that has no reviews. At least ten reviews are okay, especially when the other points in this section are also good.
If the company has some bad or average reviews, read them and compare them to the good ones. This helps you know the company’s weak points.
Not every company is perfect. If they have some bad reviews but also many good ones, and you feel they are the right choice, you can try them.
Popular review platforms include TripAdvisor, Safaribookings, Trust Pilot and Google Reviews. The screenshot below shows how reviews from a business profile look like.
Payment policy of the company
You should pay for your Uganda tour through bank transfer to the company’s account, credit card using systems like Direct Pay Online, or by cash when you arrive.
Pesapal is not accepted in Uganda. If any local company says they use it, do not agree. If this changes, we will update this article.
Every company has its own payment rules, but most ask for a deposit of 30–70% depending on the trip. The rest is paid 45 days or less before arrival or sometimes in cash on arrival.
However, it is better to pay the balance earlier by bank or card. When you pay in cash on arrival, some notes might not be accepted. You may have to go to an ATM or pay online, which can delay your trip.
Best Time to See Chimpanzees in Uganda
Chimpanzees can be seen at any time of the year in their natural homes during a Uganda safari. However, the best time to visit Uganda for chimpanzee trekking is usually during the dry season.
When planning a chimpanzee trekking tour, mark these two dry seasons on your calendar: June, July, August to September, and December, January to February.
These months have better weather and fewer rains. Most chimpanzee areas stay dry, which makes it easier to walk and see the chimpanzees.
However, chimpanzee trekking is not limited to the dry season only. Visitors also trek during the wet or rainy season, which is also called the low season.
There are two rainy seasons: March to May and October to November. The main challenge during these months is that the paths become slippery and muddy because of the heavy rains.
This makes trekking a bit more difficult and slower because hikers walk more carefully.
Popular Questions & Answers about Chimpanzee Trekking Uganda Tour Operators
Below are some of the most popular questions & answers about chimpanzee trekking Uganda tour operators.
- Why is it hard to choose a Uganda tour operator? Because there are many companies and it can be confusing, especially for first-time travelers.
- What should I check first when choosing a tour operator? Make sure the company is registered and licensed.
- How can I check if a Uganda tour company is registered? Visit the Uganda Tourism Board website to see if they are listed.
- Why is it important for a company to be licensed? It means the company is allowed to operate and is trusted by the government.
- Can I book with a company that is not licensed? No, it is not safe to book with an unlicensed company.
- What is the most important thing in a tour package? The itinerary is the most important part of your tour.
- What should a good itinerary include? It should include activities, travel routes, driving times, accommodation, and rest time.
- Why is price not the only thing to look at? Because a cheap tour with a poor plan can spoil your trip.
- How many companies should I contact before booking? Talk to at least five companies to compare.
- Why should I contact more than one company? To compare prices and know what is fair.
- What if one company gives a very cheap or very high price? It may not be normal, so check what makes the price different.
- How do I know if a price is fair? Compare it to other companies offering the same things.
- Why is fast communication important in a tour company? Because it shows they care and are ready to help you.
- What if a company replies slowly? They may not be reliable or helpful during your trip.
- Should I bargain if the price is high? Yes, you can ask for a better price or changes to reduce the cost.
- Do good companies help outside working hours? Yes, some good companies can help even after hours, especially in emergencies.
- Is it okay to book with a company with no reviews? No, it is better to choose a company with reviews.
- How many reviews should a good company have? At least ten reviews is a good number.
- Where can I find reviews for Uganda tour operators? Check TripAdvisor, Safaribookings, Trust Pilot, or Google Reviews.
- What if a company has both good and bad reviews? Read both types to understand the company better.
- Can a company still be good if it has some bad reviews? Yes, if most reviews are good and the bad ones are few, they may still be good.
- Should I only look at reviews when choosing a tour company? No, also check their license, communication, price, and itinerary.
- How do I pay for my Uganda tour? Use bank transfer, credit card through Direct Pay Online, or cash on arrival.
- Can I use Pesapal to pay for a tour in Uganda? No, Pesapal is not accepted in Uganda.
- How much deposit do most companies ask for? Most ask for 30% to 70% of the total tour price.
- When do I pay the balance for the tour? Usually 45 days before the trip or on the day you arrive.
- Is it better to pay the balance before I arrive? Yes, it is better to pay before to avoid any problems.
- What problems can happen if I pay in cash on arrival? Some notes may not be accepted, or you may need to find an ATM.
- Can paying in cash delay my trip? Yes, if you need to get more money or fix payment issues.
- Why is it good to plan with the right tour operator? Because they help you enjoy your trip, stay safe, and avoid problems.