Current Chimpanzee Permit Prices for 2024 to 2026

The Uganda Wildlife Authority manages all national parks. They set the prices to help protect the forests and the animals. Starting July 1, 2024, the costs for permits increased. These new rates will stay in place until June 30, 2026.

Permit Price Categories

Foreign Non-Residents (FNR): Tourists visiting from outside Africa.

Foreign Residents (FR): People living in Uganda or East Africa with a valid work permit or residency card.

Rest of Africa (ROA): A new category for citizens of African countries outside the East African Community.

East African Community (EAC): Citizens of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Prices for Kibale National Park

Kibale is the most famous place for this activity. It has the highest density of primates in the region. Because it is popular, the permits here are the most expensive.

Kibale permits include the park entrance fee for the day. This makes the booking process simpler for most travelers

Cheap Chimp Trekking Options in Uganda

If the Kibale prices are too high for your budget, Uganda has other great spots. These locations offer a more affordable way to see the primates.

Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth National Park)

Kyambura is a deep forest sunken into the savanna. It is often called the “Valley of Apes.” The permits here are much cheaper than in Kibale.

Foreign Non-Residents: $100

Foreign Residents: $40

EAC Citizens: UGX 50,000

Note that you must also pay the Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance fee separately. This is currently $40 for foreign non-residents per 24 hours.

Kalinzu Forest Reserve

Kalinzu is located near Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is run by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) rather than UWA. Many people find this the best budget option because the success rate of seeing chimps is very high, often over 90%.

Foreign Non-Residents: $130

Foreign Residents: $65

EAC Citizens: $65

Budongo Forest (Murchison Falls National Park)

Budongo is a large mahogany forest. It is a good choice if you are already visiting Murchison Falls for a game drive.

Foreign Non-Residents: $130

Foreign Residents: $120

EAC Citizens: $85

Prices in Budongo may vary slightly during the low season (March to May and October to November). Some operators offer small discounts during these months

Chimpanzee Trekking vs. Habituation

It is important to understand the difference between these two activities before you buy a permit.

Standard Trekking

In a standard trek, you follow a group of chimps that are already used to people. Once you find them, you stay for exactly one hour. You can take photos and watch them eat, play, or groom each other. Most treks last between two and five hours in total.

Habituation Experience (CHEX)

This is a longer process. You join researchers and rangers as they follow a group that is still being trained to stay calm around humans. You spend about four hours with the chimps. This allows you to see more of their daily life, from waking up to building nests. It is more expensive but offers a much deeper look into their world

How to Book Your Permits

Booking Through UWA

You can visit the UWA headquarters in Kampala. You will need to pay the full amount and provide your passport details. They will then issue a printed permit. It is often hard to do this from abroad due to payment systems.

Booking Through a Tour Operator

This is the most common way. You send your preferred dates and passport copies to a licensed company. They check the availability on the UWA system. Once you pay, they buy the permit and keep it safe for you until you arrive in Uganda.

The 2024-2026 Booking Rules

Full Payment: You must pay 100% of the permit cost at the time of booking if the trek is within six months.

Rescheduling: UWA allows one free reschedule if you give enough notice. A second reschedule costs 25% of the permit value.

Cancellations: Refunds are difficult to get. Most people prefer to reschedule rather than cancel.

Rules and Safety Guidelines

The rules protect both you and the primates. Chimpanzees share about 98% of human DNA. This means they can catch human diseases like the common cold or flu.

Age Limit: The official minimum age is 12 years old. Some parks like Kibale and Budongo have recently pushed this to 15 years to match gorilla trekking rules. Always check the current age limit for your specific forest.

Health: If you are sick with a cough or flu, you will not be allowed to trek. This is a strict rule to prevent spreading illness to the primates.

Distance: Stay at least 8 to 10 meters away from the animals.

Noise: Keep your voice low. Loud sounds can scare the chimps away.

Flash Photography: Never use a flash. It can hurt the eyes of the primates or cause them to become aggressive.

Food and Drink: Do not eat or drink while you are near the chimpanzees.

Best Time to Go

Uganda has two dry seasons and two rainy seasons. You can trek all year, but your experience will change depending on the weather.

The Dry Seasons (June to September & December to February)

This is the most popular time. The trails are dry and easy to walk on. The chimps are often easier to find because they stay on the ground more. Permits sell out fast during these months, so book at least three months in advance.

The Rainy Seasons (March to May & September to November)

The forest is very green and beautiful during these months. It is the best time for bird watching. However, the trails can be slippery and muddy. The chimps may stay high in the trees to keep dry, making photography harder. The benefit is that the parks are less crowded.

Summary Table of All Locations