Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda; Chimpanzee trekking is an exciting activity that involves travelers moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated chimpanzees and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is done in Nyungwe forest national park and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is done in Kibale forest national park which harbors over 1,500 chimpanzees, Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park, Kalinzu forest and Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park.
Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Chimpanzee trekking is an interesting activity that can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season.
Chimpanzee trekking during the dry season
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is best done in the dry season which is also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less or little rainfall in the national parks therefore chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable which make trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery.
During the dry season vegetation will be short which allows you to have clear views of the chimpanzees and other wildlife species.
Chimpanzee trekking during the wet/rainy season
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda can also be done during the wet or rainy season in the months of March to May and October to November because during this period there is plenty of food in the forest therefore you will be able to locate the chimpanzees easily compared to the dry season when the chimpanzees move deep into the forest.
During chimpanzee trekking in the wet season, travelers will be able to enjoy the national parks with few crowds and also view variety of colorful and migratory bird species as the wet season is also the best time for bird watching.
Another advantage of trekking chimpanzees in the wet/rainy season is that some luxury accommodations offer discounts as a way to attract tourists which favors the budget travelers.
Chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda and Rwanda
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will be allocated a habituated chimpanzee family and start trekking in the forest which takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking you will be able to view other primates, bird species, animals among others and once the chimpanzees are found, you will be able to spend one hour with them in their environment.
Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda
Chimpanzee trekking permits in Nyungwe forest national park cost 250 USD per person for foreign non residents, a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale forest national park costs 200 USD per person for foreign non residents, 150 USD per person for foreign residents and 150,000 UGX per person for East African citizens while a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest and Kyambura gorge costs 50 USD per person for foreign non residents,40 USD per person for foreign residents and 30,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
How to book chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda
Chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or Rwanda Development Board (RDB) where you will contact the park headquarters via email or telephone calls. Chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the date, month, year and chimpanzee destination that you wish to visit. After contacting us we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available on your desired date, you will be asked to make a deposit. Once we receive the money, we will acquire the chimpanzee trekking permits on your behalf.
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda can be done anytime throughout the year and the best time depends on the travelers’ preference. For more information about the best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris.
