AFCON 2027 and Chimpanzee Trekking: Combine African Football with an Unforgettable East African Wildlife Safari
Experience the Excitement of African Football and Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda and Tanzania
The year 2027 promises to be an exciting year for East African tourism. With Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda preparing to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027), international visitors will have an excellent opportunity to explore the region’s remarkable wildlife destinations alongside one of Africa’s biggest sporting events.
For football supporters travelling to East Africa, the experience does not have to end at the stadium. Beyond the excitement of watching their favourite national teams compete, visitors can explore tropical rainforests, encounter fascinating primates and discover some of Africa’s most beautiful natural landscapes.
One of the most rewarding wildlife experiences to include in an AFCON holiday is chimpanzee trekking. Imagine travelling to East Africa to support your favourite football team before heading into an ancient tropical rainforest to encounter wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
An AFCON 2027 and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari offers an exceptional opportunity to combine international football, primate encounters, traditional wildlife safaris and cultural experiences across East Africa.
Whether you are attending matches in Dar es Salaam, Nairobi or Kampala, you can extend your holiday with an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda or Tanzania.
AFCON 2027: A Historic Football Tournament in East Africa
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, commonly known as AFCON 2027, will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Scheduled for 19 June to 17 July 2027, the tournament will bring international football supporters and visitors to the region.
The tournament presents an excellent opportunity to showcase East Africa’s tourism potential beyond its football stadiums.
Visitors can explore the host cities before travelling to famous national parks, tropical rainforests, wildlife reserves and cultural destinations.
For travellers interested in primate experiences, this is an excellent opportunity to combine the excitement of the tournament with chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Tanzania.
Why Combine AFCON 2027 with Chimpanzee Trekking?
Chimpanzees are among our closest living relatives in the animal kingdom. Their intelligence, social behaviour, communication and complex family relationships make observing them in their natural habitats an extraordinary wildlife experience.
Unlike traditional game drives, chimpanzee trekking involves walking through tropical forests in search of habituated chimpanzee communities.
Visitors are accompanied by experienced guides and trackers who understand chimpanzee behaviour and the forest environment.
Once the chimpanzees are located, visitors can observe them feeding, grooming, playing, communicating and moving through the forest canopy.
Combining this experience with AFCON 2027 offers several advantages:
Enjoy two extraordinary African experiences: Combine international football with an unforgettable encounter with wild chimpanzees.
Explore multiple East African countries: Attend matches in Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda before extending your holiday into the region’s rainforest destinations.
Discover fascinating primates: Observe chimpanzees and learn about their social structures, communication and conservation.
Experience traditional African wildlife safaris: Combine chimpanzee trekking with game drives, boat safaris and birdwatching.
Make the most of your international holiday: Extend your AFCON visit into a rewarding wildlife adventure.
Best Destinations for Chimpanzee Trekking During AFCON 2027
East Africa offers several important chimpanzee trekking destinations, particularly in Uganda and Tanzania. Rwanda also provides excellent opportunities for visitors interested in primate experiences.
1. Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda
Kibale Forest National Park is one of Africa’s most famous destinations for chimpanzee trekking.
Located in western Uganda, the park protects an extensive tropical rainforest that supports a remarkable diversity of primates, birds and other wildlife.
Kibale is particularly famous for its large chimpanzee population and established chimpanzee tracking experiences.
Visitors begin their trekking experience with a briefing before entering the forest with professional guides and trackers.
The forest experience can involve walking along established trails and through dense vegetation as visitors search for habituated chimpanzee communities.
Once the chimpanzees are located, visitors can observe their fascinating behaviour, including feeding, grooming, playing and communicating.
Besides chimpanzees, Kibale is home to several other primate species, including red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and red-tailed monkeys.
For travellers attending AFCON matches in Kampala, Kibale offers an excellent opportunity to extend their Ugandan holiday with a memorable primate experience.
Visitors can also combine Kibale with Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the beautiful crater lakes region.
Explore our Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris to discover more opportunities for encountering wild chimpanzees.
2. Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda
Budongo Forest is another excellent destination for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.
Located in northwestern Uganda, near Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo protects one of the country’s important natural forest ecosystems.
The forest is known for its chimpanzee population and rich biodiversity.
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo provides opportunities to explore the tropical rainforest while learning about primate conservation and forest ecology.
The experience can be combined with a traditional wildlife safari in Murchison Falls National Park.
Visitors can enjoy game drives in search of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and lions before exploring the forest in search of chimpanzees.
Another attraction is the Nile River, where visitors can enjoy boat safaris towards the famous Murchison Falls.
For AFCON supporters planning an extended Uganda safari, Budongo provides an excellent combination of primate tracking and traditional wildlife viewing.
3. Kyambura Gorge, Uganda
Kyambura Gorge is one of the most distinctive chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda.
Located within Queen Elizabeth National Park, the gorge is a forested valley surrounded by open savannah landscapes.
It is sometimes referred to as the Valley of Apes because of its chimpanzee population.
The experience involves descending into the gorge and exploring its tropical forest in search of chimpanzees.
Unlike the extensive rainforest environment of Kibale, Kyambura offers a fascinating contrast between forest vegetation and the surrounding savannah.
Visitors can combine chimpanzee trekking with traditional game drives and boat safaris along the Kazinga Channel.
For travellers interested in experiencing several wildlife activities during their AFCON holiday, Queen Elizabeth National Park provides an excellent safari destination.
4. Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania
Mahale Mountains National Park is one of Tanzania’s most extraordinary destinations for chimpanzee trekking.
Located along the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, the park protects a spectacular landscape of tropical rainforest, mountainous terrain and beautiful lakeshore scenery.
Mahale is famous for its wild chimpanzee communities, which visitors can encounter through guided forest trekking.
The experience is particularly special because the park is relatively remote and offers a combination of primate encounters, forest exploration and relaxation beside Lake Tanganyika.
Visitors can spend time observing chimpanzees as they interact within their social groups, forage for food and move through the forest.
Besides chimpanzee trekking, Mahale offers opportunities for swimming in suitable areas, kayaking and enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Lake Tanganyika, subject to park regulations and conditions.
For travellers attending AFCON matches in Dar es Salaam, Mahale provides an extraordinary extension to a Tanzanian holiday.
However, reaching Mahale requires careful transport planning, as access is generally arranged through regional flights and boat transfers depending on the season and operating services.
Discover our Tanzania Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris for more information about exploring this remarkable destination.
5. Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania
Gombe Stream National Park is another world-famous destination for chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania.
Located along the shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, Gombe is internationally recognised for its importance in chimpanzee research and conservation.
The park became particularly famous through the pioneering work of Dr Jane Goodall, whose research transformed our understanding of wild chimpanzee behaviour.
Visitors can explore the forest with experienced guides and trackers in search of habituated chimpanzee communities.
Observing chimpanzees in Gombe offers a fascinating opportunity to learn about their social relationships, communication, feeding habits and daily activities.
The park also features beautiful forested valleys, hillsides and lakeshore scenery.
For international visitors attending AFCON matches in Dar es Salaam, Gombe offers an excellent opportunity to combine football with a unique wildlife and conservation experience.
6. Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda
Nyungwe National Park is another excellent destination for primate experiences in East Africa.
Located in southwestern Rwanda, the park protects an extensive montane rainforest supporting several primate species, including chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park provides opportunities to explore the forest with experienced guides while searching for habituated chimpanzee communities.
The park is also famous for its canopy walkway, which offers visitors spectacular views of the forest from above.
Other activities include nature walks, birdwatching and tracking different monkey species.
For visitors attending AFCON matches in Uganda or Kenya, Rwanda can provide an excellent additional destination for exploring East Africa’s primate diversity.
Combining AFCON 2027 with Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking
Uganda is particularly attractive for travellers attending AFCON matches in Kampala because it offers several established chimpanzee trekking destinations within its borders.
Visitors can begin their holiday with football activities in Kampala before travelling towards western Uganda.
A typical itinerary can include Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.
Travellers can enjoy chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, game drives in Queen Elizabeth and a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel.
Those with additional time can continue to Murchison Falls National Park for game drives, Nile boat cruises and chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest.
This combination provides an excellent balance of football, primate encounters, traditional wildlife safaris and cultural experiences.
Explore our Uganda Wildlife Safari Packages for more opportunities to discover the country’s national parks.
Combining AFCON 2027 with Tanzania Chimpanzee Trekking
Tanzania is another excellent destination for travellers attending AFCON matches in Dar es Salaam.
Beyond its famous savannah parks, Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s most important chimpanzee habitats.
Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe Stream National Park provide opportunities to encounter wild chimpanzees in their natural forest environments.
A Tanzanian primate safari can be organised around a visit to either destination, depending on the traveller’s preferred experience, budget and available transport.
Visitors can also extend their holiday with a traditional wildlife safari in Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area or Tarangire National Park.
For travellers who want to experience more of Tanzania, a longer itinerary can combine chimpanzee trekking, wildlife viewing and a beach holiday in Zanzibar.
Explore our Tanzania Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris for more information about planning your trip.
Suggested 12-Day AFCON 2027 and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
The following itinerary provides an example of how football supporters can combine AFCON activities in Uganda with chimpanzee trekking and traditional wildlife experiences.
Day 1: Arrival in Kampala, Uganda
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Kampala.
Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a short city tour and prepare for the football tournament.
Day 2: AFCON Football Experience in Kampala
Enjoy the excitement of AFCON 2027 and attend a scheduled football match in Kampala.
Experience the atmosphere created by supporters from different countries.
Day 3: Additional Football Activities and Kampala City Tour
Attend another scheduled match or explore Kampala’s cultural attractions, markets and historical sites.
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Depart Kampala and travel towards western Uganda.
Enjoy the beautiful countryside, tea plantations and crater lake scenery before arriving at your lodge near Kibale Forest.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest
After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing before entering the forest with experienced guides and trackers.
Spend your allocated observation time with a habituated chimpanzee community, observing their behaviour and interactions.
Return to your lodge for relaxation.
Day 6: Bigodi Wetland and Cultural Experience
Explore the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, known for its birdlife, monkeys and community conservation activities.
Enjoy a cultural experience with local communities before returning to your accommodation.
Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Travel towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of western Uganda.
Arrive at your lodge and prepare for the following day’s safari.
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Safari
Enjoy a morning game drive in search of elephants, lions, buffaloes, antelopes and other wildlife.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel.
Day 9: Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trekking
Explore Kyambura Gorge in search of its habituated chimpanzee community.
Enjoy a different chimpanzee trekking experience within a forested gorge surrounded by savannah landscapes.
Day 10: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Travel towards southwestern Uganda and enjoy the scenic landscapes before arriving at Lake Bunyonyi.
Relax beside the lake and enjoy its beautiful surroundings.
Day 11: Cultural Experience and Relaxation
Enjoy a relaxed day exploring Lake Bunyonyi, its islands and surrounding communities.
Day 12: Departure
Transfer towards Entebbe or another suitable departure point for your international flight.
This itinerary is illustrative and should be adjusted around the official AFCON fixtures, park access, chimpanzee permit availability and transport schedules.
What Is the Cost of Combining AFCON 2027 with Chimpanzee Trekking?
The total cost of an AFCON 2027 and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari depends on the number of football matches attended, trekking destination, accommodation category, transport arrangements and the number of travellers.
A chimpanzee trekking safari can be organised using different accommodation options.
Budget chimpanzee trekking safaris: Suitable for travellers seeking affordable accommodation and practical transport arrangements.
Mid-range chimpanzee trekking safaris: Provide comfortable lodges, private facilities and convenient access to trekking destinations.
Luxury chimpanzee trekking safaris: Offer premium lodges, personalised services, private transport and, where available, convenient fly-in arrangements.
The costs of visiting remote destinations such as Mahale and Gombe can be higher because of their transport and logistical requirements.
For a personalised quotation, travellers should provide their preferred AFCON match dates, number of safari days, trekking destination and accommodation preferences.
Important Tips for Planning Your AFCON 2027 and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
Combining football and chimpanzee trekking requires advance planning to ensure that both experiences fit comfortably into your holiday.
1. Confirm your football fixtures: Check the official AFCON schedule and select your preferred matches before confirming the safari itinerary.
2. Choose your chimpanzee trekking destination: Uganda and Tanzania offer different forest environments and travel experiences. Select the destination that best suits your itinerary.
3. Secure chimpanzee trekking permits: Arrange permits through the relevant wildlife authorities or authorised safari operators.
4. Book accommodation early: International sporting events can increase accommodation demand in major cities and popular safari destinations.
5. Consider domestic flights: Flying can save considerable travel time, particularly when visiting remote destinations such as Mahale and Gombe.
6. Follow trekking regulations: Maintain the required distance from chimpanzees and follow all instructions from park guides.
7. Allow sufficient travel time: Some chimpanzee destinations require long road transfers, domestic flights or boat connections.
8. Remain flexible: Wild chimpanzees move through their forest habitats, and trekking duration and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions About AFCON 2027 and Chimpanzee Trekking
1. When will AFCON 2027 take place?
AFCON 2027 is scheduled to take place from 19 June to 17 July 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
2. Can I combine AFCON 2027 with chimpanzee trekking?
Yes. Visitors can attend football matches in one of the three host countries before extending their holiday with chimpanzee trekking in Uganda or Tanzania.
3. Where is the best place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda?
Kibale Forest National Park is one of the best-known destinations for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. Other options include Budongo Forest and Kyambura Gorge.
4. Where can I see chimpanzees in Tanzania?
Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe Stream National Park are Tanzania’s principal destinations for wild chimpanzee trekking.
5. Can I combine chimpanzee trekking with traditional wildlife safaris?
Absolutely. In Uganda, visitors can combine chimpanzee trekking with game drives in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls national parks. In Tanzania, chimpanzee trekking can be combined with other national park experiences, depending on the itinerary and available connections.
6. How many days should I allow for an AFCON and chimpanzee trekking holiday?
A 10–14-day holiday is a useful starting point, allowing time for football matches, travel, chimpanzee trekking and additional wildlife experiences.
7. Can I combine chimpanzee trekking with gorilla trekking?
Yes. Uganda provides an excellent opportunity to combine chimpanzee trekking in Kibale with mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga.
8. Can I visit Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda during one holiday?
Yes. Multi-country East African itineraries can be arranged using a combination of regional flights, road transfers and suitable border-crossing arrangements.
Book Your AFCON 2027 and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
AFCON 2027 offers more than an opportunity to watch Africa’s leading football teams compete. It is also an invitation to discover East Africa’s extraordinary natural attractions.
From the vibrant football atmosphere of Kampala, Dar es Salaam and Nairobi to the tropical rainforests of Kibale, Mahale, Gombe and Nyungwe, the region offers a remarkable combination of sporting excitement and wildlife adventure.
Whether you want to experience chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, explore Tanzania’s Mahale Mountains, discover Gombe Stream National Park or combine chimpanzee encounters with traditional wildlife safaris, our safari team can help organise a personalised itinerary around your preferred football fixtures.
Do not limit your East African holiday to the football stadiums. Take the opportunity to explore the forests, wildlife and cultures that make this region one of Africa’s most rewarding travel destinations.
Contact our safari team today to plan your AFCON 2027 and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari and discover the best of East Africa.