Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda travel guide
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda travel guide; Chimpanzee trekking is an exciting and one of the major activities in Uganda where the travelers will be able to move into the tropical rain forest in search of the habituated chimpanzees and once found spend one hour with them in their environment. Chimpanzee trekking is the second best activity that attracts many visitors in Uganda after gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and this article will highlight the major factors to consider so as to plan a successful chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda including,
Where to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Uganda is one of the best chimpanzee trekking destination due to the fact that it’s a home of over 5,000 Chimpanzees which are found in four destinations including Kibale forest national park, Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest and Budongo forest.
Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest national park also known as the primate capital is the most popular chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda located in kabarole district. Kibale forest national park is known for harboring 13 primate species including over 1,500 chimpanzees and other primates like red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, l’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons among others.
Kyambura gorge
Kyambura gorge also known as the valley of apes is another chimpanzee trekking destination located in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth national park which is the second largest national park in Uganda. Kyambura gorge is a home of over 80 chimpanzees with about 2 habituated chimpanzee families which are available for trekking daily.
Kalinzu forest
Kalinzu is another chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda located in western region in Bushenyi district. Kalinzu forest is a home of over 300 chimpanzees and over 40 habituated chimpanzee families which are available for trekking on a daily basis.
Budongo forest
Budongo forest is a chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda located in Murchison falls national park which is the largest national park in Uganda. Budongo forest is a home of over 700 chimpanzees with three habituated chimpanzee families which are open for trekking.
Chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park, Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest and Budongo forest can either be done early in the morning or in the afternoon with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the forest with an experienced park guide who is conversant with different trekking trails. Trekking of chimpanzees in Uganda takes about 2 hours to 5 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, different bird species, plants among others and once the chimpanzees are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat where you will be able to learn more about their behaviors, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos to show people back home.
Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry 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 park therefore chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy, Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda travel guide
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can also be done in the wet season during the months of March to May and October to November because during this period there is plenty of food in the forest therefore chimpanzees will be located easily hence travelers will not move deep into the forest.
Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda
Cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda varies according to the chimpanzee destination you wish to visit for example a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kyambura gorge and Kalinzu forest 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.
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 Budongo forest costs 130 USD per person for foreign non residents, 120 USD per person for foreign residents and 85 USD per person for East African citizens.
How to book chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with date, month, year and chimpanzee destination that you wish to visit. After contacting us we will check for permit availability on your desired dates and if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once the payment has been made, we will purchase the permit on your behalf.
What to pack for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
There are essential items that travelers should pack or carry when going on a chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda including hiking shoes, garden gloves, long sleeved clothes, insect repellent, waterproof rain jacket, camera and extra batteries, a pair of binoculars, walking stick, back pack among others.
