Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda; Chimpanzee trekking is an exciting and one of the sought after activity in Uganda after gorilla trekking. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda involves moving 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 Uganda is done is various destinations which include Kibale forest national park also known as the primate capital in western part of Uganda, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park, Kalinzu forest, Toro-Semuliki wildlife reserve and Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park.

Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can be done anytime of the year regardless of the season. Uganda experiences two seasons that is the dry also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January, February and the wet or rainy season in the months of March to May and November.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda during the dry/peak season

The dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February is the best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda because during this period there is less rainfall in the chimpanzee destinations therefore access roads and chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable which make trekking easy.

During the dry season, vegetation in the chimpanzee destinations will be thin due to less rainfall therefore viewing of the chimpanzees and other wildlife species will be easy.

Though the dry season is the best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, there are some disadvantages like trekking for longer hours in search of the chimpanzees because they will be deep in the forest in search of food. Another disadvantage of trekking chimpanzees during the dry season is difficulty in acquiring the chimpanzee trekking permits because they are always competitive and get sold out quickly.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda during the wet/rainy season

The wet season is during the months of March, April, May, October and November, the wet season is characterized by heavy rains which make access roads and chimpanzee trekking trails wet, muddy and slippery.

Though the wet season is characterized by heavy rainfall, chimpanzee trekking can still be done in that when the rains stop tourist can go for their chimpanzee trekking activity. There are various advantages for trekking chimpanzees in Uganda during the wet season for example shorter trekking hours because there will be plenty of food and fruits for the chimpanzees hence they will not move deep into the forest.

During the wet season, acquiring chimpanzee trekking permits will be easy hence favoring the last minute travelers and luxury lodges offer discounts as a way to attract tourists which favors budget clients.

Chimpanzee trekking experience

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the forest with an experienced park guide who is well conversant with different trekking trails. Chimpanzee trekking 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 different wildlife species including mammals, birds, other primate species among others and once the chimpanzees are located, you will be able to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, habits, lifestyle, watch them feed, breastfeed, hunt, fight, play, rest, take photos and record the incredible moments to show people back home after the safari.

Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda

A chimpanzee trekking permit is a card that allows any visitor above the age of 15 years to visit any habituated gorilla family in either Kibale forest national park, Kyambura gorge, Kalizu forest, Toro-Semuliki wildlife reserve or Budongo forest and spend one hour with the chimpanzees in their environment.

Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda vary according to the destination you wish to visit for example 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.

A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge and Kalinzu forest cost 50 USD per person for foreign non residents, 50 USD per person for foreign residents and 30,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.

A chimpanzee trekking permit in Budongo forest costs 130 USD per person for foreign non residents, 120 USD per person for foreign non residents and 85 USD per person for East African citizens during the peak season and 120 USD per person for foreign non residents, 110 USD per person for foreign residents and 80 USD per person for East African citizens.

The best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda depends on the clients decision as chimpanzee trekking can be done all year round. For more information about the best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website.