Best places to see chimps in the wild: Rwanda vs Uganda vs Tanzania
So, where do you start planning your chimp trekking dream? Start by picking a place to see them! Here are the best places to see chimps in the wild:
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Rwanda
- The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Chimpanzees play a gorilla-size role in sustaining the ecological health of their African habitat. The large seeds they eat, that are too large for other neighboring wildlife, are dispersed throughout the rainforests helping to replenish and rejuvenate the ongoing growth of the landscape. Chimpanzees have also played a giant role in scientific research and the origins of human behavioral patterns and activities. Being one of our closest relatives, their human-like appearance and behaviors are arguably what draws many wildlife enthusiasts from around the world to get a glimpse of our jungle cousins. Chimp trekking allows us to peek into the familiar world of these creatures as they demonstrate how alike we really are. As humans, we share many of the same natural instincts and motives as the chimps, from social hierarchies to the complexities of emotions and intelligence. When getting a glimpse of chimps in their natural habitat, one is truly forced to question what it really means to be human, as well as wonder how close we remain to the natural world, something that can easily be forgotten in the modern world we live in. You can’t help but be entertained by their energetic personalities as they swing from the canopies and if you’re lucky enough to see a baby chimp, be ready to hold back that ‘cute puppy’ voice we know you do.
CHIMP TREKKING IN TANZANIA
Our top pick is Tanzania due to the off-the-beaten-track, authentic chimp experience you can find here. Tanzania also offers a better overall adventure experience with other huge attractions like Africa’s best safari (including the Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti), Mafia & Zanzibar Islands, and Mount Kilimanjaro to name a few.
Tanzania is home to approximately 2,500 chimpanzees and the best places to see these incredible animals are Gombe Stream National Park and Mahle National Park. It’s a must-do experience if you want to take a trip back in time and truly feel like a first time African explorer.
Gombe is our favourite place to see chimps and is perfect for anyone wanting to get off-the-beaten-track. The only way in and out of Gombe is via boat or chartered plane, making getting there an adventure in itself. Gombe is also situated on the banks of the second largest and second deepest freshwater lake in the world! This means that there are plenty of options to go fishing, visit local fishing villages, spot an abundance of bird life, go snorkeling or visit the many local waterfalls.Gombe Stream National Park is also world famous as the place where Dr Jane Goodall pioneered primate behavioural research. Gombe Stream National Park is also home tos a vast array of other primates including the olive baboon, blue monkey, velvet monkey and Red-Tailed Monkey.
For a visual experience and to see it for yourself, head over to our Youtube channel and take a look at our video of the exceptional landscape that is Gombe National Park.
CHIMP TREKKING IN UGANDA
Uganda is the most popular place to go chimp trekking and is the best location if you also want to trek with the gorillas. Uganda is home to just under 5,000 chimps! With almost 1,500 living in Kibale National Park this spot has become the most popular place for chimp tracking in the country. Chimps are spread throughout Kyambura Gorge. Kalinzu Forest, Budongo Forest and in the Semliki Valley, but due to a very high sighting success rate, Kibale is a tourist hot spot and an amazing trekking experience. Uganda offers an all round amazing holiday experience with many things to do outside of chimp trekking. Try your hand at white water rafting along the iconic Nile River, or safari through Queen Elizabeth National Park, an astonishing wild landscape of valleys and volcanic mountains.
CHIMP TREKKING IN RWANDA
Rwanda is home to roughly 400 chimpanzees, located in the Nyungwe National Park. This rainforest serves a highly important role in the health of Rwanda’s ecosystems and covers a land mass of about 1,000 square kilometers. Over the past 10 years, Rwanda has upped their game in the marketing of chimpanzee tourism, aiming to make it a leading location for chimp trekking in Africa. Trekking through the Nyungwe forest will mean an early start, with most tours setting off as early as 4:30am for a 4 to 6 hour trek through the rainforest. Chimps get on the move quite early, so the aim is to reach them before their energetic day is underway! Permits will cost roughly $100 per person which is significantly less than trekking with gorillas in Rwanda, which costs US$1,500pp.
CHIMP TREKKING IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC)
Chimp trekking through the DRC will take you to a location a little less popular for tourism. DRC is rich with an abundance of wildlife and spectacular natural landscapes, with most of the chimpanzees living within the Mahura Forest inside the magnificent Virunga National Park. The Virunga National Park is also home to approximately half of the world’s mountain gorillas and the world’s largest active volcanic lake, Nyiragongo Volcano, and it is highly recommended that you do both if you visit the DRC.
Traveling to the DRC is significantly less safe though and this experience is only recommended for experienced travelers who have a higher risk tolerance. As part of your experience, Virunga National Park provides an armed ranger and the only approved tourist accommodation is also operated by the national park.
With whatever location you decide to embark on, Chimpanzee Trekking is an unforgettable experience for any wildlife or adventure enthusiast. If this opportunity sounds like an expedition you’d hope to embark on, then it’s time for the next step, take a read through our blog ‘How to choose the right tour operator for your Gorilla or Chimp experience’, and get ready for the opportunity of a lifetime.
