Meet the Chimpanzees of Africa

If you think gorilla trekking is the ultimate primate experience, think again! Chimpanzee tracking is just as exhilarating – if not more – thanks to their lively, social nature. Unlike gorillas, which often sit calmly in family groups, chimpanzees are highly active, constantly swinging through trees, vocalizing, and interacting in dynamic ways. They are incredibly intelligent and exhibit a range of fascinating behaviours, from tool use to intricate social dynamics. Unlike gorillas, which remain in close-knit families, chimps move in fission-fusion groups, making every sighting a unique experience. They also communicate with loud calls and dramatic displays, ensuring an action-packed adventure through the forests. 

Chimpanzee tracking is an incredible experience that takes you deep into lush forests, where you will hike through diverse terrain in search of these energetic primates. Expect an early morning start, as chimps are most active in the cooler hours of the day. Along the way, you’ll be accompanied by expert guides and trackers who will help locate the chimps using their vocal calls and fresh signs of movement. Once you find them, prepare for an unforgettable hour of observation. The experience is perfect for families with older children, with the minimum age for chimpanzee tracking varying by destination: Uganda and Tanzania require a minimum age of 12 years old, while Rwanda has a higher restriction of 15 years old.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable wildlife adventure, here are a few of our favourite places to go chimpanzee spotting in Africa…

Uganda is widely beloved as the primate capital of the world, and Kibale National Park is its crown jewel for chimpanzee tracking. Home to over 1,500 chimpanzees, the park offers some of the best opportunities to observe these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat. It is also the easiest and most popular place to track chimpanzees, with well-habituated groups and a high success rate for sightings. Located along Uganda’s standard safari route, it pairs perfectly with a Big Five experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park. In the heart of this natural oasis is Kibale Lodge – the perfect base for your adventure, offering an immersive rainforest experience with comfortable accommodations nestled in the lush greenery.

While Rwanda is known mainly for its mountain gorillas, it also offers excellent chimpanzee trekking experiences. One&Only Nyungwe House, a luxury retreat set within a tea plantation at the edge of Nyungwe Forest National Park, provides an unparalleled blend of comfort and adventure. From here, you can embark on guided excursions into the ancient montane forest, where you’ll encounter large troops of wild chimpanzees swinging through the trees and calling across the canopy. Chimp tracking in Rwanda is a bit more off the beaten track, with fewer chimpanzees that still need further habituation, making the experience less predictable but more intimate and exclusive.

Although Tanzania is most famous for its world-class safari experiences, it also offers fantastic opportunities for primate encounters. Nomad Greystoke Mahale, an exclusive lodge in Tanzania’s Mahale Mountains National Park, provides a remote and intimate setting for observing chimpanzees in their pristine habitat. Located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, this lodge offers guided treks deep into the forest, where you can witness chimps in their natural environment.

Next to Greystoke, Mbali Mbali Mahale offers another exceptional stay with stunning views of the lake and easy access to prime chimpanzee trekking locations. Combining a stay at both lodges ensures an unforgettable primate experience in one of Africa’s most untouched wilderness areas.

Further north along Lake Tanganyika, Mbali Mbali Gombe provides another incredible opportunity for chimpanzee tracking in Gombe Stream National Park, the very place where Jane Goodall conducted her groundbreaking research. Staying here allows you to walk in the footsteps of one of the world’s most famous primatologists while enjoying intimate encounters with the park’s habituated chimpanzees.

Chimpanzee tracking in Tanzania is the most exclusive experience of the three countries, as it is significantly more difficult to access. The remote locations of Mahale and Gombe require a combination of flights and boat rides, making them ideal for those seeking a truly off-the-grid adventure.

Ready for your unforgettable chimp spotting adventure? Let’s make it happen!