There are few wildlife experiences more profound than locking eyes with a wild chimpanzee—intelligent, expressive and astonishingly familiar.
As one of the most advanced animal species on Earth, our primate cousins can learn language, use tools and walk upright. It’s no wonder we share 98.7% of our DNA.
Venturing into Africa’s ancient forests to witness them in their natural habitat creates a powerful, soul-stirring connection to the wild. And this encounter comes with a growing sense of urgency as chimpanzees face extraordinary threats from deforestation, disease, the illegal pet trade and bushmeat hunting. Their future grows increasingly uncertain as females only give birth once every five years, one of the slowest reproductive rates in the animal kingdom. The IUCN Red List classifies chimpanzees as endangered.
Choosing to go chimpanzee trekking funds the protection of wild habitats, creates jobs for local communities and strengthens critical conservation work. For many travellers, an hour spent watching chimpanzees communicate, forage and play sparks a lifelong commitment to safeguarding these remarkable beings.
What to Expect on a Chimpanzee Trekking Experience
Chimpanzee trekking in their natural habitat, deep within dense, indigenous forests and remote national reserves, requires thoughtful preparation.
Because chimpanzees remain highly vulnerable, local governments strictly regulate access. The Journeys with Purpose team has organised many trekking adventures, bringing first-hand experience to every journey. We will guide you through the process from start to finish, ensuring your experience unfolds seamlessly.
While the details may vary depending on your chosen country, most chimpanzee trekking experiences follow a similar rhythm. After securing your permit in advance, your day begins at the park or reserve headquarters. There, expert trackers and park rangers provide a full briefing and prepare you for the adventure ahead.
Groups stay small, typically with no more than six people. You’ll be assigned to a habituated chimpanzee troop before setting off into the forest to find them. Once you locate the troop, you will spend about an hour observing their world, watching them communicate, eat and swing through the trees. The encounter often brings laughter, wonder and even tears.
Where to Go Chimpanzee Trekking in Africa
Chimpanzees live across parts of East, West and Central Africa, but Uganda and Tanzania stand out as the two most popular destinations for trekking. Both countries offer stable conditions, excellent accommodation and access to several habituated chimpanzee families, making them ideal for meaningful and well-supported adventures.
To choose the best destination for your adventure, consider a few key questions or speak to the Journeys with Purpose team, who can guide you through the decision.
Are you planning to combine your chimpanzee trek with gorilla trekking? Do you hope to include a classic safari or unwind with time at the beach? Your preferred style of accommodation also matters, as does the age range and fitness level of your group. Each element shapes the experience, and with the right planning, your adventure will feel seamless from start to finish.
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Uganda is home to Kibale National Park, often considered the best destination in Africa for chimpanzee trekking. The park protects around 1,500 chimpanzees within an area roughly the size of New York City. Four habituated chimpanzee troops live in Kibale, and trackers can locate them with relative ease. These chimpanzees feel comfortable around humans, which allows for a calm and intimate encounter.
For those who want to spend more time with these intelligent animals, Kibale also offers a habituation experience. This extended trek lets you accompany park rangers and researchers as they gently introduce chimpanzees to human presence. The experience is both fascinating and physically demanding, with longer and more challenging hikes through dense forest terrain.
Beyond Kibale, you can also trek with chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge, located within Queen Elizabeth National Park, and in nearby Kalinzu Forest. Although Bwindi Impenetrable Forest lacks habituated groups, sightings of wild chimpanzees remain possible while trekking for gorillas or golden monkeys.
Chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania
While many travellers picture Tanzania’s vast savannahs and iconic Serengeti plains, the country also holds remote, little-explored forests that shelter thriving chimpanzee populations. These hidden landscapes offer some of the most exclusive and adventurous trekking opportunities in Africa.
You have two options for chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania: Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe Stream National Park. Both sit along the sparkling shores of Lake Tanganyika and are reachable only by boat, adding a sense of remoteness and discovery to your trip. Of the two, Mahale Mountains National Park stands out for its exceptional lodge offerings and dramatic setting.
Trekking here can be physically demanding. Long hikes into the forest take you through rugged terrain, guided by experts who have spent decades studying and protecting the approximately 60 habituated chimpanzees in the area. Occasionally, the great apes descend to the lake’s edge, offering rare moments of shoreline interaction. No two excursions are the same, each one shaped by the forest’s rhythm and the dynamic presence of the chimpanzees.
Where to Stay for a Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
Chimpanzee trekking typically takes half a day and often involves challenging hikes through dense forest. To reduce travel time and maximise your experience, it’s essential to stay at a lodge located close to the trekking start points.
Between treks, you’ll want space to unwind. The best lodges provide a peaceful, restorative setting with a light ecological footprint, beautiful surroundings and warm, attentive hospitality. The following properties not only meet those standards, they exceed them, offering comfort, purpose and connection in the heart of the wild.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Uganda
Perched on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge Lodge commands sweeping views across the savannah, distant mountains and the lush forest valley below. This striking lodge, created by Volcanoes Safaris, pioneers in responsible great ape tourism, offers a seamless blend of style, sustainability and access.
The property features eight thoughtfully designed banda cottages and a serene spa, providing a welcome retreat after time on the trail. A forest pathway leads directly from the lodge into trekking territory, with Kalinzu Forest just 20 minutes away by vehicle. For those seeking both proximity and purpose, Kyambura Gorge Lodge is an ideal base for a chimpanzee trekking safari.
Kibale Lodge, Uganda
Nestled near the edge of Kibale National Park, this new lodge from Volcanoes Safaris has been thoughtfully crafted to harmonise with the surrounding forest. Its architecture and atmosphere reflect a deep respect for place, offering a sense of immersion from the moment you arrive.
Kibale Lodge features eight elegant deluxe rooms and a spacious villa, creating a tranquil base for chimpanzee trekking adventures. Beyond the forest, guests can engage with local communities through enriching visits to nearby projects. The lodge also partners with the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda, contributing directly to vital conservation efforts within the park.
Greystoke Mahale, Tanzania
Tucked along the pristine shores of Lake Tanganyika, Greystoke Mahale feels like a castaway’s retreat. It’s an eco-lodge built from wood and thatch that merges barefoot luxury with wild discovery. The remote location sets the tone for a deeply immersive trekking adventure.
From the lodge, expert trackers guide you on foot through Mahale’s rainforest, where habituated primates roam freely. After your trek, unwind with a dhow or kayak excursion on the lake’s glassy waters, watching for hippos in the shallows and crocodiles along the shore. Greystoke Mahale offers a rare blend of serenity and untamed beauty.
Ready to Begin Your Chimpanzee Trekking Journey?
Journeys With Purpose offers private, conservation-focused adventures in Africa, with tailor-made itineraries built around your passions. We also plan hosted journeys – get in touch with our expert travel specialists today on +44 20 8044 9538 or at connect@journeyswithpurpose.org.
