• It feeds on seeds and insects.

Chestnut African climbing mice consume seeds of grasses, small insects, and parts of plants; the species is active at night and gathers food on the ground and in grass. The diet includes seeds of grasses, insects, leaves of plants, small fruits, leaves, and seeds of grass. The species uses its hands to gather food and employs tools in foraging. The strategy for obtaining food involves searching and acquiring it. Daily food consumption ranges from 5 grams to 12 grams. The species obtains food through beetles, butterflies, flies, Hymenoptera, bedbugs, Orthoptera, dragonflies, stoneflies, and net-winged insects.