Chimp and Monkey Tracking in Kibale National Park

Following fresh spoor and vocalisations, you’ll move through the forest until you come face to face with a chimpanzee family in the wild. Watching these highly intelligent and expressive primates in their natural environment is an unforgettable, intimate experience. It’s a rare treasure to observe their complex social behaviours, playful antics, and moments of quiet reflection.

For the more adventurous, Chimpanzee Habituation Experiences are also available, offering the rare chance to spend several hours with a semi-habituated group as they adjust to human presence. It’s an in-depth, immersive opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and conservationists alike.

Kibale is a primate lover’s paradise beyond its famous chimps. Along your forest walk, you might encounter red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and vervet monkeys. Be sure to try out the night primate walk, around the Bigodi Sanctuary Wetland, community wetlands, where you have the chance to see some nocturnal primates and contribute to the local community.

Primate Lodge is located within Kibale Forest and is closest to the starting point for chimpanzee treks. It’s a small, intimate lodge that offers the perfect base for walking expeditions in the forest. With incredible views of the Rwenzori Mountains, Kibale Lodge opened in 2025 and is another excellent option for travellers who want to track chimpanzees and primates in the national park. Kyaninga Lodge is another standout option for a stay in Kibale. While it’s around 45 minutes from Kibale, so it is a slightly longer drive to and from the forest, it’s an ideal choice for travellers who would like to do more in their downtime after treks. Activities like crater lake walks, kayaking, SUP, swimming in Lake Kyaninga and visits to community projects are available to guests.

A Yellow Zebra favourite, Turaco Treetops is a semi-luxe lodge that offers exceptional value. Located in the forest and with stunning views over the Rwenzori Mountains, it’s another great option for chimpanzee and primate tracking in Kibale National Park.

If you can’t make it to Kibale National Park, then it’s worth turning to the Budongo Forest to get your chimpanzee experience. Located around 30 minutes from Murchison Falls, visitors to Budongo can stay at the Nile Safari Lodge, a luxurious and intimate lodge on the banks of the Victoria Nile.