Chimpanzee tracking starts before sunrise — trackers go ahead to locate the group's overnight nesting site, then radio back so visitors can be guided in. The hike that follows can be anywhere from one to six hours, on steep slippery trails through dense forest. Sightings are not guaranteed, though the success rate is around 80%.
Permits cost considerably less than gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park to the north, but the experience is rougher and the wildlife more elusive. You see chimps high in trees feeding on fruit or, occasionally, on the ground moving between feeding sites. Group sizes are capped at eight visitors per chimp community per day. Solid boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and a rain jacket are essential year-round.