Track primates inside Burundi’s montane forests

Burundi offers one of East Africa’s most intimate and emerging primate tracking experiences. While neighboring countries are widely known for gorilla and chimpanzee tourism, Burundi remains largely undiscovered — offering authentic, uncrowded encounters in pristine forests.

Chimpanzee tracking in Burundi is a deeply immersive adventure. As you walk through misty highland forests at dawn, distant shrieks echo through the canopy — a signal that our closest genetic relatives are nearby. It is a rare and powerful wildlife experience.

Kibira National Park

Kibira National Park, located along the Congo–Nile Crest in northern Burundi, is the country’s primary chimpanzee tracking destination. This dense montane rainforest forms part of the greater Albertine Rift ecosystem and is ecologically connected to Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest.

The park offers:

• High-altitude tropical rainforest
• Cool climate
• Rich biodiversity
• Remote and peaceful trekking routes

Chimpanzee tracking typically lasts between three and five hours, depending on the location of the chimpanzee groups.

Bururi Forest Nature Reserve

In southwest Burundi, the Bururi Forest Nature Reserve offers excellent chimpanzee sighting opportunities. Established in 1951 and classified as an IUCN protected area, it covers approximately 33 km² and is managed by the Institut National pour l’Environnement et la Conservation de la Nature (INECN).

Because of its relatively compact size, Bururi often provides strong chances of locating chimpanzees. Tracking usually begins early in the morning (around 6:00 a.m.), when chimps are most active.

Visitors are guided by professional trackers and may spend approximately one hour observing the chimpanzees once located.

What to Expect

Chimpanzee trekking involves:

• Guided rainforest hiking
• Uneven or occasionally muddy terrain
• Off-trail walking in some sections
• Professional tracking teams using radio communication

In habituated areas, chimpanzees may be observed relatively closely while maintaining safe and respectful distance.

Other Primates in Burundi

Burundi’s forests are home to remarkable primate diversity. Species include:

• Chimpanzees
• Rwenzori colobus monkeys
• Vervet monkeys
• L’Hoest’s monkeys
• Grey-cheeked mangabeys
• Silver monkeys
• Olive baboons
• Prince Demidoff’s bushbaby
• East African potto

Many of these species are endemic to the Albertine Rift region.

Birdlife & Biodiversity

Kibira and Bururi forests are rich in birdlife and plant diversity.

Kibira hosts over 300 bird species, while Bururi records more than 87 species, including several Albertine Rift endemics. The forests also contain more than 90 tree species and complex tropical ecosystems.

Best Time for Tracking

The best seasons are during the dry periods:

• January to February
• May to August

Trails are drier and more accessible during these months.

Burundi offers a rare opportunity to encounter Africa’s primates in a peaceful and largely untouched environment.