A 2025 Census Confirms 426 Chimpanzees in Uganda’s Bwindi Park
Deep in the mist-covered hills of southwestern Uganda, exciting news is echoing through the ancient canopy of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
A groundbreaking 2025 census has officially confirmed the presence of 426 chimpanzees, marking a major conservation milestone for one of Africa’s most celebrated protected areas.
The findings, released on 24 February 2026, are being hailed as a triumph for science, collaboration, and Uganda’s enduring commitment to wildlife conservation.
A Forest Full of Life
Bwindi is often synonymous with mountain gorillas — and for good reason. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. But this latest census reveals another powerful story: chimpanzees are not just occasional residents — they are thriving, widely distributed, and firmly woven into Bwindi’s ecological fabric.
“Chimpanzees are not incidental occupants of the forest but an integral and widely distributed component of Bwindi’s great ape assemblage,” said James Musinguzi, Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority(UWA).
The census fills a long-standing knowledge gap, providing concrete data about the population size, density, and distribution of chimpanzees across the park’s four sectors: Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo.
Conservation Through Collaboration
The census was conducted between May and September 2025 through a strong partnership between:
- Uganda Wildlife Authority
- Jane Goodall Institute Uganda
- Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration
For conservationists, the confirmed number of 426 chimpanzees is more than a statistic — it’s a symbol of progress.
James Byamukama, team leader from the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda, noted that the findings will help clarify the chimpanzees’ conservation status in Bwindi and contribute directly to Uganda’s national chimpanzee conservation strategy.
A Rare Great Ape Sanctuary
Bwindi’s uniqueness lies in its remarkable biodiversity. It is the only protected area in Uganda where both:
- Mountain Gorilla
- Chimpanzee
co-exist in the same forest ecosystem.
Spanning 331 square kilometers across the Kigezi Highlands, at elevations between 1,190 and 2,607 meters, Bwindi’s lush afro-montane and montane forests provide ideal habitat for great apes and hundreds of other species.
Beyond gorillas and chimpanzees, the park shelters forest elephants, colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, bush pigs, duikers, and over 350 bird species — making it one of Africa’s richest biodiversity hotspots.
What This Means for Uganda — and the World
The confirmation of 426 chimpanzees signals more than population data. It strengthens evidence-based conservation planning and reinforces Uganda’s global reputation as a leader in great ape protection.
With tourism revenue supporting conservation and community livelihoods, Bwindi stands as a powerful example of how wildlife protection and sustainable development can work hand in hand.
Travelers from around the world visit the park for its famous gorilla trekking experiences, but the presence of a thriving chimpanzee population adds another layer of ecological importance — and opportunity.
Today, Bwindi is the most popular destination, attracting thousands of travelers year-round. It is one of the most accessible places to see the endangered mountain gorillas, rare wildlife that only thrives in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is also the most affordable destination for travelers looking to self-drive in Uganda, as well as backpackers and overlanders.
A low-season gorilla permit at as low as US$600 for the months of April, May, and November. For the rest of the year, the gorilla permit costs US$800 for international travelers.
A Future Rooted in Science and Stewardship
In a time when many wildlife populations face uncertainty, the Bwindi chimpanzee census offers something invaluable: hope grounded in data.
The forest that once earned the name “impenetrable” continues to reveal its secrets — and its resilience.
For Uganda, for Africa, and for conservation globally, the message is clear: when science, collaboration, and commitment align, nature responds.
And in the heart of Bwindi, 426 chimpanzees are living proof.
Leave a Comment