Chimpanzee Tracking

Chimpanzees are a major attraction in Uganda and may be seen in several places, Ngamba Island out from Entebbe, Kibale Forest Reserve near Fort Portal, Kyambura George in Queen Elisabeth National Park, Kanyiyo Pabidi in Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park.

Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria is a popular day trip from Kampala and may be booked through Backpackers Hostel. There are two boats which run out to the island, the “canoe” which costs $45. The minimium number of people for a trip is 8 people while the maximium is 25 people. Life jackets are available. Times of departure are; first boat 8am returning at 3pm second boat leaves Entebbe at 10.30am returns at 5pm.

The speed boat costs $60, the first boat leaves at 9am returning at 1pm and the second boat leaves at 12.45 and returns at 5pm.

Kanyio Pabidi eco-tourism site in Murchison Falls National Park is an excellent place to see the chimpanzee is run by the Jane Goodall Institute and provides excellent accommodation and meals. Single rooms are $60 bed & breakfast. Twin rooms at $85 per room. Triples $100 per room, bed and breakfast. Dormitories $15 per person bed and breakfast. All the buildings are constructed using timber and are very comfortable with good facilities. The dormitories are four people per room and set within the forest with a full lenght verandah where you can sit and enjoy the forest.

On the right is a photo of the restaurant, bar & office at Pabidi.

Permits to see the chimps in Pabidi are $20 and may be booked through Backpackers Hostel or through their agent at Lets Go Travel in Garden City Shopping Centre.

Kanyio Pabidi is home to about 120 chimps and a wide variety of birds and butterflys. The forest has been preserved in it’s original state with no or little logging hence you will see many huge trees especially mahogany. In addition to trekking the chimps you may do forest walks and experience to wonders of this natural forest.

Kibali Forest National Forest near Fort Portal is a great place to see the chimps and is easily accessible from Fort Portal which is 285km west of Kampala. The cost of seeing the chimps here is $70 per person and the walk starts at 7am daily. You can stay in one of the many campsites around the national park or may choose to stay at the Primate Lodge deep in Kibale Forest where they have first class accommodation and tented camp.

Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elisabeth National Park is a unique experience as you walk down into the george from the flat plains of Queen Elisabeth National Park. The gorge is 16km long and about 100 metres deep and is home to chimpanzee, black & white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons and a host of bird. In the base of the gorge runs a small river where hippos splash in the clear waters as the blue-bellied kingfisher and black bee-eater flutted above. The riverine forest gives the feeling of a lost world as you marvel at the many species of birds and animals. Cost $30 per person and walks start at 8am and 3pm daily