New Kibale Permit Costs 2026–2027: Revised Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Prices
New Kibale Permit Costs: Planning a chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda? Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has introduced important changes to chimpanzee permit prices, including new low-season chimpanzee trekking rates and a revised tariff structure that takes effect on 1 January 2027.
These changes are particularly important for travelers planning a Kibale chimpanzee trekking safari, because the standard foreign non-resident chimpanzee tracking permit at Kibale National Park will increase to USD 300 from January 2027, while the Kibale chimpanzee habituation experience will cost USD 400.
At the same time, travelers visiting Uganda during April, May or November can take advantage of a special low-season chimpanzee tracking rate of USD 200 for foreign non-residents.
This makes the timing of your Uganda chimpanzee safari more important than ever.
Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Prices 2026–2027
The revised UWA tariff provides different prices depending on the chimpanzee trekking destination, visitor category and season.
For foreign non-residents, the key new rates from 1 January 2027 are:
| Chimpanzee Experience | Foreign Non-Resident | Foreign Resident | East African Citizen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibale Chimpanzee Tracking | USD 300 | USD 200 | USD 100 |
| Kibale Chimpanzee Habituation | USD 400 | USD 300 | USD 250 |
| Kyambura Chimpanzee Tracking | USD 200 | USD 150 | USD 100 |
The UWA notice also lists the applicable rates for other visitor categories in Uganda Shillings.
For travelers searching for Kibale chimpanzee trekking prices, the most important figure to remember is therefore USD 300 from 1 January 2027 for foreign non-residents.
New Kibale Permit Costs: USD 300
Kibale National Park remains Uganda’s flagship destination for chimpanzee trekking.
Under the revised UWA tariff, Kibale chimpanzee tracking will cost USD 300 per foreign non-resident from 1 January 2027.
This is an important change for anyone researching the cost of chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, particularly travelers planning their safari for 2027.
The USD 300 fee is the official activity rate listed by UWA for chimpanzee tracking at Kibale. It should not, however, be confused with the total price of a Uganda chimpanzee safari.
Your complete safari may also include accommodation, transportation, meals, a driver-guide, park entry fees and other activities.
If you are interested in combining chimpanzees with other primates, you can also explore our Uganda gorilla trekking experiences.
Kibale Chimpanzee Habituation Price Increases to USD 400
The Kibale chimpanzee habituation experience will also have a new price from 1 January 2027.
The revised UWA tariff sets the foreign non-resident rate at:
USD 400 per person
Foreign residents will pay USD 300, while East African citizens will pay UGX 250,000.
Chimpanzee habituation is particularly attractive to visitors who want a more immersive experience observing chimpanzees and their behavior.
It can be an excellent choice for wildlife photographers, primate enthusiasts and travelers who want to spend more time experiencing the forest.
New Low-Season Uganda Chimpanzee Permit Price: USD 200
One of the most interesting changes announced by UWA is the introduction of low-season chimpanzee trekking permits.
For April, May and November, the foreign non-resident rate for chimpanzee tracking is:
USD 200
Foreign residents will pay USD 150, while the East African citizen rate is UGX 100,000.
This means travelers who have flexibility with their dates can potentially save USD 100 per person compared with the new standard Kibale rate of USD 300.
For example, a traveler planning a Kibale chimpanzee trekking safari in May 2027 could pay USD 200 for the chimpanzee tracking activity instead of USD 300 during the standard season.
That makes April, May and November particularly interesting months for budget-conscious travelers.
Important: Low-Season Chimpanzee Permits Cannot Be Rescheduled
There is an important condition attached to the new low-season chimpanzee permits.
UWA states that the discounted low-season permits cannot be rescheduled.
Therefore, travelers should be confident about their travel dates before purchasing a low-season chimpanzee permit.
The low-season rates took immediate effect under the UWA notice and are specifically intended to stimulate travel during April, May and November.
If you are considering a low-season Uganda chimpanzee trekking tour, we recommend confirming your dates carefully before payment.
Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trekking Price: USD 200
The revised UWA tariff also changes the price for chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge.
From 1 January 2027, the foreign non-resident rate will be:
USD 200 per person
Foreign residents will pay USD 150, while East African citizens will pay UGX 100,000.
Kyambura Gorge is located within Queen Elizabeth National Park, making it a convenient option for travelers who want to combine chimpanzee trekking with a traditional Uganda wildlife safari.
You can combine your chimpanzee experience with:
- Queen Elizabeth game drives
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Elephant viewing
- Buffalo sightings
- Lion tracking
- Ishasha wildlife experiences
For a complete itinerary, see our Queen Elizabeth National Park safari guide.
Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Price Comparison
The revised 2027 tariff makes it easier to compare Uganda’s major chimpanzee experiences.
| Experience | 2027 Foreign Non-Resident Price |
|---|---|
| Kibale Chimpanzee Tracking | USD 300 |
| Kibale Chimpanzee Habituation | USD 400 |
| Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Tracking | USD 200 |
| Kibale Low-Season Tracking – Apr, May & Nov | USD 200 |
These are activity/permit rates, not complete safari package prices.
A complete Uganda chimpanzee trekking safari will normally cost more because it includes other components such as transportation and accommodation.
How Much Does a Uganda Chimpanzee Safari Cost?
The answer depends on where you trek and how long you stay in Uganda.
For example, someone booking a short Kibale chimpanzee trekking tour will have a different total cost from someone booking a 7-day Uganda safari combining:
Kibale → Queen Elizabeth → Bwindi
Your total Uganda chimpanzee safari cost can include:
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Accommodation
- Safari vehicle
- Professional driver-guide
- Fuel
- Park entry fees
- Meals
- Airport transfers
- Game drives
- Boat cruises
- Gorilla trekking, if included
- Other activities
This is why comparing only chimpanzee permit prices does not give you the complete cost of a Uganda safari.
For travelers planning a longer trip, our Uganda safari packages can be customized according to your budget and travel dates.
Best Time for Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
The introduction of the new low-season rate makes April, May and November especially interesting for travelers planning a budget-conscious chimpanzee safari.
During these three months, foreign non-residents can access the special USD 200 chimpanzee tracking rate under the new UWA structure.
However, travelers should consider the entire safari experience when choosing their travel dates.
If you want to combine chimpanzees with gorillas, wildlife and other activities, the best travel period will depend on your complete itinerary.
Read our guide to the best time to visit Uganda before selecting your travel dates.
Chimpanzee Trekking and Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Uganda is particularly attractive to primate enthusiasts because you can combine chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking during one safari.
A popular route is:
Kibale National Park → Queen Elizabeth National Park → Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
You can start with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale before continuing to Queen Elizabeth for game drives and a Kazinga Channel boat safari.
The journey can then continue to Bwindi for an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience.
See our gorilla and chimpanzee safari for an example of how these two primate experiences can be combined.
Chimpanzee Trekking and Big Five Wildlife Safari
If you want more than primates, Uganda allows you to combine chimpanzee trekking with classic African wildlife.
A longer Uganda wildlife and chimpanzee safari can include:
Kibale National Park
Chimpanzees and other primates
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos and other wildlife
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Mountain gorilla trekking
Murchison Falls National Park
Game drives and the Nile boat cruise
For travelers with more time, our Murchison Falls safari guide explains how this spectacular park can be added to a Uganda itinerary.
New Uganda Wildlife Tariff: What Else Has Changed?
The chimpanzee permit changes are part of a broader UWA tariff revision.
From 1 January 2027, the UWA notice lists gorilla tracking at USD 800 for foreign non-residents, while gorilla habituation will be USD 1,800.
The same revised tariff also lists:
- Chimpanzee tracking at Kibale – USD 300
- Chimpanzee habituation – USD 400
- Kyambura chimpanzee tracking – USD 200
- Rhino tracking at Ajai – USD 20 for adults
- Experiential lion tracking – USD 500
- Golden cat tracking in Kibale for five days – USD 350
These additional activities create opportunities to build more specialized Uganda wildlife safari packages.
Important Change to Uganda Chimpanzee Permit Reservations
UWA has also changed the way permits are reserved.
Previously, operators could reserve permits for up to seven days without payment, after which unpaid reservations would automatically be cancelled.
According to the UWA notice, this seven-day reservation window was suspended effective 1 March 2026.
Going forward, permits can only be secured upon full payment at the time of booking.
This is particularly important for travelers planning a Kibale chimpanzee trekking safari during busy periods.
Instead of expecting an operator to hold an unpaid permit for seven days, travelers should be prepared to confirm their booking and make the required payment when the permit is being secured.
Why You Should Book Your Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Early
The new payment requirement makes early planning even more important.
Once you have confirmed your travel dates, your safari operator can work on securing the necessary permits and arranging accommodation and transportation.
This is especially important if you are combining chimpanzee trekking with gorilla trekking because both activities have limited availability.
Our team can help you organize the complete experience, including:
- Chimpanzee permits
- Gorilla permits
- Safari accommodation
- Private 4×4 transportation
- Professional driver-guide
- Game drives
- Boat cruises
- Airport transfers
- Customized Uganda safari itineraries
You can also explore our Uganda safari cost guide when planning your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uganda Chimpanzee Permit Prices
How much is chimpanzee trekking in Uganda in 2027? From 1 January 2027, the UWA tariff lists USD 300 for foreign non-residents undertaking chimpanzee tracking at Kibale National Park.
How much is Kibale chimpanzee habituation? From January 2027, Kibale chimpanzee habituation will cost USD 400 for foreign non-residents.
How much is Kyambura chimpanzee trekking? The revised 2027 UWA tariff lists USD 200 for foreign non-residents for chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura Gorge.
Is there a cheaper season for chimpanzee trekking? Yes. UWA introduced a low-season foreign non-resident rate of USD 200 for chimpanzee tracking during April, May and November.
Can I reschedule a low-season chimpanzee permit? No. The UWA notice specifically states that the low-season permits cannot be rescheduled.
Can I reserve a chimpanzee permit for seven days without paying? No. UWA suspended the previous seven-day reservation window effective 1 March 2026. Permits must now be secured upon full payment at booking.
Plan Your Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Safari With Us
The revised UWA prices make 2027 an important year for travelers planning chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.
If you want the classic Kibale experience, you should budget USD 300 for standard chimpanzee tracking from January 2027. If you want a longer habituation experience, the new rate is USD 400.
But if your dates are flexible, April, May and November offer an exciting opportunity to experience Kibale chimpanzee trekking at the USD 200 low-season rate.
Whether you want chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee trekking, gorilla trekking in Bwindi, wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth or a complete Uganda safari, we can build the itinerary around your interests and budget.
Don’t let the new permit changes make planning complicated. Let us organize your permits, accommodation, transport and activities and create a Uganda chimpanzee safari that gives you the best possible experience for your budget. Contact us today and start planning your Uganda primate adventure.