November 2, 2026
Key takeaways
- Kibale National Park is Uganda’s main chimpanzee destination. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) estimates more than 1,500 chimpanzees there and runs treks three times a day.
- Nyungwe National Park is Rwanda’s main site, with three chimpanzee communities and a published limit of eight visitors per community per day.
- Published prices at the time of writing: USD 250 in Kibale (UWA tariff, January 2027 to June 2028) and USD 150 in Nyungwe (2025 to 2026 price list), each for international visitors.
- Age limits differ: 15 years in Nyungwe. UWA’s own documents give two different figures for Kibale, so families must confirm before booking.
- Both countries offer a longer habituation experience at a higher price and with fewer places.
Chimpanzee trekking Uganda vs Rwanda: which is better?
Neither is better for everyone. Kibale suits travellers who want the strongest all-round chimpanzee experience and a classic Uganda circuit, and Nyungwe suits those building a compact Rwanda trip. In both, sightings are likely but never certain, because the chimpanzees are wild and move fast.
The decision usually comes down to three things: which gorilla park you are pairing it with, how much time you have, and who is in your group.
| Kibale National Park, Uganda | Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda | |
|---|---|---|
| Managed by | Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) | Nyungwe Management Company, with African Parks |
| Trekking permit, international visitor | USD 250 (tariff January 2027 to June 2028) | USD 150 (2025 to 2026 price list) |
| Trekking permit, foreign resident | USD 200 | USD 75 |
| Park entry | Included in the permit | Listed separately: USD 100 for one night for an international adult |
| Low-season rate | USD 200 in April, May and November | None listed |
| Habituation experience | USD 400, four hours with the chimpanzees | USD 200, maximum four people |
| Minimum age | 12 in the tariff rules, 16 on UWA’s Kibale page: confirm | 15 |
| Group size | Six per group (UWA Kibale page) | Eight per community per day |
| Time with the chimpanzees | One hour | About one hour |
Sources: UWA conservation tariff and Kibale page; Nyungwe National Park price list, FAQ and website. Figures as published at the time of writing (November 2026). Confirm before booking.
How much is a Kibale chimpanzee permit?
A Kibale chimpanzee permit costs USD 250 for a foreign non-resident and USD 200 for a foreign resident on the UWA conservation tariff for January 2027 to June 2028. East African citizens pay UGX 180,000.
What the permit includes
The tariff states that the rates include the guide fee and park entrance fees, and that the fee also covers the entrance fee for a nature walk on the day of tracking.
Low-season rate
The same tariff lists a low-season chimpanzee tracking rate of USD 200 for foreign non-residents and USD 150 for foreign residents. It applies only in April, May and November.
Other points in the tariff
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, in Queen Elizabeth National Park, is listed at USD 240 for foreign non-residents.
- Permits for foreign non-residents can only be booked through licensed tour operators.
- A late reschedule carries a fine of 25 per cent of the permit fee.
The tariff’s two tables give different figures for visitors from the rest of Africa, so we have left that category out. Ask for it to be confirmed in writing.
How much is Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking?
Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking is listed at USD 150 per person for international visitors and USD 75 for foreign residents and East African Community residents, including the guide. Rwandan and East African Community citizens pay RWF 25,000. These figures are from the park’s 2025 to 2026 activity price list, the latest we found at the time of writing. A 2027 list may replace it.
Park entry is listed separately
The same price list shows a park entry fee per person: USD 100 for one night for an international adult, USD 150 for two nights and USD 200 for three. It does not state that chimpanzee trekking includes park entry. Budget for both, and ask for a single written total.
That changes the comparison. On the published figures, an international visitor spending one night would pay about the same in Nyungwe (USD 150 plus USD 100) as in Kibale (USD 250 with entry included).
What are the age limits and group sizes?
Nyungwe sets a minimum age of 15 for chimpanzee tracking and the habituation experience, according to the park’s published FAQ. For Kibale, UWA’s documents disagree, so check before you book for a teenager.
- Kibale age limit. The chimpanzee tracking rules in the 2027 tariff say the minimum age is 12 years. UWA’s Kibale National Park page says all visitors must be at least 16.
- Kibale group size. UWA’s Kibale page limits each group to six participants.
- Nyungwe group size. The park website says each chimpanzee community is visited by eight people maximum per day.
- Distance. UWA’s rules ask visitors to keep at least 10 metres from the chimpanzees and not to enter the forest if they are sick.
Places are limited in both parks, and far more so in Nyungwe. Permits for peak months should be secured before flights.
What is the trek itself like in Kibale and Nyungwe?
In both parks you walk with a guide through forest until the chimpanzees are found, then spend about an hour with them. Expect steep, slippery sections in either forest and pack walking boots, long trousers and a waterproof.
Kibale
- Treks start from the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre at 8.00 am, 11.00 am and 2.00 pm, according to UWA.
- UWA estimates over 1,500 chimpanzees in the park and 13 primate species in all.
- Kibale is 326 kilometres from Kampala, roughly six hours by tarmac road, and about an hour from Fort Portal.
Nyungwe
- The park names three semi-habituated communities: Cyamudongo, Mayebe and Gisovu.
- Rwanda’s tourism board describes an early start, with the excursion lasting from one to four hours and about an hour with the chimpanzees.
- Nyungwe also has 13 primate species and a canopy walkway, which the price list shows at USD 40 for international visitors.
What is a chimp habituation experience?
A chimp habituation experience is a longer visit with a community that is still getting used to people, in the company of trackers. It costs more and takes fewer visitors than a standard trek.
- Kibale. USD 400 for foreign non-residents and USD 350 for foreign residents on the 2027 tariff, which specifies four hours with the chimpanzees. Guide and park entrance are included.
- Nyungwe. USD 200 for international visitors and USD 100 for residents on the 2025 to 2026 price list, with a maximum of four people.
How does chimpanzee trekking fit with gorilla trekking?
Most travellers choose the chimpanzee park that sits in the same country as their gorilla permit.
- Uganda. Kibale is normally combined with Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi. Our 7-day primate and wildlife safari across Uganda follows that route.
- Rwanda. Nyungwe is combined with Lake Kivu and Volcanoes National Park.
- Both. The 8-day Rwanda and Uganda great apes safari links the two countries in one trip.
For the gorilla side of the decision, read our comparison of gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda.
How Ramja Safaris can help
Ramja Safaris books chimpanzee and gorilla permits as part of a planned itinerary and confirms the current fees and age rules with the park authority before you pay. Look at our Kibale National Park tours and Nyungwe National Park tours, then request a quote with your dates and group ages.
Frequently asked questions
Is chimpanzee trekking cheaper in Uganda or Rwanda?
On published figures the two are close for international visitors. Kibale is USD 250 with park entry included on the Uganda Wildlife Authority tariff from January 2027. Nyungwe lists trekking at USD 150 and shows park entry separately at USD 100 for one night. Uganda also lists a USD 200 low-season rate in April, May and November.
How much is a Kibale chimpanzee permit in 2027?
The Uganda Wildlife Authority tariff for January 2027 to June 2028 lists USD 250 for foreign non-residents, USD 200 for foreign residents and UGX 180,000 for East African citizens. The rate includes the guide fee and park entrance. Confirm the figure when you book.
What is the minimum age for chimpanzee trekking?
Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda sets a minimum age of 15. For Kibale in Uganda, the 2027 tariff rules say 12 years while the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Kibale page says 16, so ask for written confirmation before booking for anyone under 16.
How long do you spend with the chimpanzees?
About one hour on a standard trek in both Kibale and Nyungwe, once the chimpanzees have been found. The habituation experience is longer. In Kibale the published tariff specifies four hours with the chimpanzees.
Can I see chimpanzees and gorillas on the same trip?
Yes. In Uganda, Kibale is commonly combined with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In Rwanda, Nyungwe is combined with Volcanoes National Park. Each activity needs its own permit, and places are limited, so book well ahead.
