Wildlife Tracking Experience, Uganda

Experience East Africa's top destination for primates - a tour that takes you to Uganda's fascinating primate families!

On this safari you will encounter Uganda's famous chimpanzees. Observing these fascinating animals in the wild is a breathtaking and unforgettable nature experience.

Unlike the thrilling excitement of predator hunts on the savannah, chimpanzee trekking is characterised by its closeness and intimacy.

Just imagine: You recognise yourself in the expressive face of a creature with whom you share 98 percent of your genetic make-up. You watch in amazement as these extraordinarily social primates communicate with each other, protect their young and move playfully in an almost familiar and comical way.

This experience will remain etched in your memory - no wonder it is one of the great highlights of African safaris. For an hour, you can observe their behaviour, their social interactions and their daily rituals - an intense wilderness experience you won't soon forget.

This exclusive conservation safari also includes game drives and a boat tour on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the most scenic protected areas, home to numerous species of animals such as hippos, elephants, leopards, lions and chimpanzees.

The park is home to 95 mammal species and over 500 bird species. In combination with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, which is famous for its large chimpanzee population, an unrivalled nature adventure awaits you.

Topics and activities of the Wildlife Tracking Experience in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking or Chimpanzee tracking is a thrilling primate safari which involves hiking and trekking to see the endangered chimpanzees in their natural habitats.

During the chimpanzee trekking experience, you follow designated trekking trails in an African tropical forest while searching for chimpanzees. This activity is a major highlight of African safaris – a must-include for primate lovers.

After following the designated trails and finally locating a chimp community, visitors are allowed up to one hour to watch the habituated chimps. Trekking with chimpanzees is regulated, and usually trekkers are grouped into groups of about six people. To trek chips, one has to be 16 and older in all chimp trekking destinations in Africa.

Tracking chimpanzee is a daily activity and has two with two sessions—in the morning and the afternoon. The duration of a chimp trek may last anywhere from two to six hours.

Get in contact!

Arrival and orientation in Uganda

Before heading for your chimp tracking safari, you will start with a daily breakfast, have your lunch packed, and meet the guide, who will take you to the forest.

Chimpanzee trekking in most destinations has two trekking sessions – morning and evening. The most preferred is the morning session, which starts early at around 8:00 am when the chimpanzees are just preparing to start their daily activities. The trek usually begins with a briefing at the visitor centre, where visitors are guided on how to behave during the trek.

During the briefing, you will be provided with all the necessary information to ensure both your safety and that of the chimpanzee during the trek. You will also be divided into groups of six individuals before being assigned to different Chimpanzee communities.

For each chimpanzee community, only a maximum of 6 individuals are allowed per session. The team, however, is accompanied by researchers and guides. You will follow the trails to where the primates constructed their nests the night before. If lucky enough, you will find them still in their nests; however, in some cases, you might encounter them as they roam in the forest.

Accommodation and board in Uganda

For all program placements, accommodation and daily meals will be provided at the participants' base and will range from private apartments to hotel accommodation. You are advised to come with a flashlight since power cuts may frequently occur. You will be living with several other travellers, and the accommodation is regarded as more than adequate considering the normal standards of Uganda.

Some apartment rooms are self-contained rooms with a bathroom and a toilet while other rooms do share the bathrooms and toilets. The reason for this is that the program staff would like to make the accommodation as close as possible to what you may be used to, so you may find you have some luxury items to make you more comfortable in your surroundings.

As a participant, you will be expected to maintain a reasonable standard of cleanliness in your surroundings. This would include keeping your living space clean and tidy as well as your personal hygiene to a high standard. Daily showers/ washes are recommended as well as ensuring clothing is washed regularly.

Leisure time during your trip

As part of most trips, participants have the opportunity to take part in a variety of exciting adventure activities during their weekend free time. Uganda is a large and incredibly diverse country in terms of both culture and nature.

Participants can, for example, undertake a three-day safari in the vast Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Gorilla Trekking, visit Murchison Falls National Park for a Wildlife Tour explore the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park for bird watching, or take part in Chimpanzee Trekking at Kibale National Park.

Additionally, a range of mountain climbing trips is available, including Mt Ruwenzori, Mt Elgon, and Mt Mgahinga. These adventures provide a welcome break from the project routine, offer new perspectives on the host country, and sometimes allow dreams to come true.

Booking a trip through the organisation supports social projects on site, such as providing access to clean, safe water for local communities in the areas visited. By prioritising the well-being of host communities and the environment, Justice Tourism contributes to creating a fairer and more sustainable future for both travellers and locals.

Those interested in booking a safari are advised to contact the in-country team before arriving in Uganda. The team can provide recommendations and assist with organising the safari.

Book your tracking experience now!

The region of Western and Southwestern Uganda

Uganda offers a rich and authentic cultural experience that gives visitors a true sense of Africa. This makes Uganda one of the most exciting safari destinations on the continent.

The travel experiences provided go far beyond typical tourism, allowing visitors to explore Uganda authentically, sustainably, and responsibly alongside local communities. The organisation has in-depth knowledge of the destinations it promotes and encourages integrated travel opportunities that support local people. It also collaborates with initiatives focused on protecting local communities, cultures, and the environment.

The carefully designed tours bring participants closer not only to wildlife but also to the work of conservationists, researchers, local communities, and wildlife rangers who protect endangered species and restore degraded and deforested forests. This fosters biodiversity conservation while simultaneously promoting the livelihoods of rural communities.