A chimpanzee tracking permit works the same way as a gorilla permit (a dated, government-issued pass for a specific forest and day) but is considerably less expensive and, in most locations, easier to secure on shorter notice than a gorilla permit.
Uganda chimpanzee permits
Issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, prices vary by forest: Kibale National Park, Uganda’s premier chimpanzee site, is around USD 300 for foreign non-residents and USD 200 for foreign residents as of late 2026; Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park is around USD 200; Budongo Forest near Murchison Falls is similarly priced given the national park’s entrance fees; and Bugoma Forest is currently the most affordable chimpanzee tracking option in Uganda. A longer chimpanzee habituation experience permit is also available at Kibale for those wanting more time with the community.
Rwanda chimpanzee permits
Issued by the Rwanda Development Board for Nyungwe National Park, the standard rate as of late 2026 is around USD 90 per person for foreign non-residents; a fraction of the cost of a Rwanda gorilla permit, making Nyungwe a strong value addition to a Rwanda gorilla trekking safari.
Tanzania chimpanzee permits
Tracking at Mahale Mountains or Gombe Stream National Parks, both on Lake Tanganyika, is priced and booked separately given their remote, fly-in access, and is typically combined with a broader Tanzania itinerary rather than booked as a short add-on.
What the permit includes
The fee covers forest entry, a ranger-guide, and up to an hour observing the community once located (longer for a habituation experience permit). It does not include transport, accommodation, or a porter.
Booking chimpanzee permits
Chimpanzee permits are generally more available than gorilla permits, but booking ahead is still recommended, especially when combining with a gorilla trekking itinerary on fixed dates. Visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected].
How chimpanzee permits work
A chimpanzee tracking permit gives one person the right to visit a habituated chimpanzee community on a set date. In Uganda, permits for Kibale, Budongo, Kyambura and other forests are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. In Rwanda, Nyungwe permits come from the Rwanda Development Board, and in Tanzania, Gombe and Mahale permits come through Tanzania's national parks authority. Each permit is for a named person and date.
Chimpanzee tracking rules and what to expect
Tracking visits are small and time-limited, usually around one hour with the chimpanzees. Minimum ages apply, and visitors who are ill may be refused, because chimpanzees can catch human diseases. Rangers brief every group and set the distance, noise and behaviour rules. We confirm age limits and group sizes for each park when we book.
Chimpanzee habituation experience permits
In Kibale, the habituation experience lets a small group spend much longer with a community of chimpanzees that is still becoming used to people, following them from the nest in the morning through their day. It needs a separate permit, is more demanding and sells out in the busy months. We recommend it for travellers who want a deeper encounter.
Best time to book chimpanzee permits
Chimpanzee permits are easier to secure than gorilla permits, but the busiest months, roughly June to September and December to February, still fill. We recommend booking chimpanzee tracking with your gorilla permits so the dates and routes line up. Chimpanzee permits are non-refundable once issued, so confirm your dates first.
Which park for chimpanzees?
Kibale is the most popular and reliable choice in Uganda, and Budongo suits a Murchison Falls route. Kyambura Gorge gives a dramatic setting in Queen Elizabeth. Nyungwe in Rwanda is excellent for a mountain forest experience, and Gombe and Mahale in Tanzania are remote and wild. Read our chimpanzees guide and our gorilla permits page for planning.
Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda: parks compared
Kibale National Park has the most reliable chimpanzee tracking in East Africa, a high density of primates and an easy base at Fort Portal. Budongo Forest suits travellers who are already at Murchison Falls and want a quieter forest day. Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a dramatic, descending trail into the gorge. Kalinzu Forest is a good choice for travellers moving between Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi.
Chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda and Tanzania: parks compared
Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda is a vast, ancient mountain forest where chimpanzee trekking starts early and can involve steep walking. It also offers colobus monkeys, birds and a canopy walkway. In Tanzania, Gombe Stream National Park is small and accessible by boat on Lake Tanganyika, and Mahale Mountains National Park is remote, wild and rewarding. Both Tanzanian parks need extra days of travel and are best built into a dedicated trip.
What a chimpanzee permit includes
A permit covers your entry to the forest, the services of a ranger guide and the time with the chimpanzees. It does not include transport, accommodation, meals, porters or tips. We handle permits, transport, lodges and guides together so you have a single, clear plan.
Chimpanzee tracking: planning tips
Choose your forest first, then your lodge, then your dates. Fit chimpanzee tracking into a route that includes other highlights, and keep a spare day in case the weather affects your plans. Book your permits early for the busiest months, and keep in mind that chimpanzee permits are non-refundable once issued.
Chimpanzee permits and travel insurance
Because chimpanzee permits are non-refundable once issued, travel insurance that covers permit costs, medical care and evacuation is essential. Check the policy covers trekking in forest and altitude, and keep copies of your permits and passports with you. See our travel insurance for gorilla trekking guide for what to check.
Practical permit notes
Permits are issued per forest and per day, are non-refundable and are tied to the passport name. Book as early as you can in the peak months of June to September and December to February. We arrange chimpanzee permits together with gorilla permits and all lodging, so your dates line up across parks.
