Chimpanzee Walking Safaris

Trek through lush forests in search of chimpanzees

Full of excitement and anticipation, armed with respect for the guides that know the environment and chimpanzee families like the back of their hand and equipped with your newfound knowledge, hear these excitable primates before you see them, their pant-hoots travelling deep through the forest. Following the calls, enter their world and begin your journey. Scrambling over rocks and hiking the steep paths, you feel the chimps are almost laughing affectionately at the contrast between your efforts to follow them through the undergrowth and how easily they traverse this terrain."

Chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda

The mountainous rainforests of Nyungwe National Park in southwest Rwanda are home to approx. 500 chimpanzees and 12 other species of primate including the colobus and vervet monkey. The walking and hiking here is excellent, with rich flora and fauna and spectacular views.

When chimpanzee tracking, groups are small in size, permits are required and, once found, the time spent viewing chimpanzees is a maximum of one hour – all to minimise the impact on the chimpanzees’ natural environment.

You may witness young chimps playing; adults feeding high up in the fig trees; others swinging effortlessly between the vines. Once you have found a chimpanzee community, you will have one magical hour to enjoy the company of these fascinating primates. This is a true adventure.

Tanzania’s chimpanzees

With deep forests and no roads, Mahale Mountains National Park in far west Tanzania is home to one of Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzee populations. Stay at the foot of the mountains overlooking pretty Lake Tanganyika in a secluded beach camp.