Kalinzu Forest Chimpanzee Trekking
Kalinzu forest chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth N.P; Kalinzu forest is located in western part of Uganda in Bushenyi district near Queen Elizabeth national park and Maramagambo forest. Kalinzu forest is a home of over 380 bird species, 414 tree species and 6 different primate species including chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, l’hoest monkeys and vervet monkeys. Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest is the major activity that attracts tourists and it 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 Kalinzu forest is done in two sessions that is the morning session which starts early in the morning at around 8:00am and the afternoon session which starts at around 2;00pm and each session begins with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will be subdivided into groups of 6 people where each group will be allocated a habituated chimpanzee family to trek and an experienced park guide who is conversant with trails in the forest. Trekking of chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they like to move from one location to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primate species, view different bird species among others and once the chimpanzees are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you a chance to learn more about their habits, behaviors, watch them feed, breastfeed, hunt, rest, fight, mate, take photos and record videos.
Best time to for Kalinzu forest chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest is an interesting activity that can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June to September and December to January. During the dry season, there is less rainfall in the forest therefore chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery.
Cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest
A chimpanzee trekking permit in 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.
How to book chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest
Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) where you will contact the park offices through email or telephone calls. Chimpanzee trekking permits in Kalinzu forest can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the date, month and year when you wish to visit the chimpanzees. After contacting us we will check for permit availability on your preferred dates and if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. When we receive the money, we will purchase the permit on your behalf.
Booking chimpanzee trekking permits through a tour operator saves you the hustle and we will not only acquire the permits on your behalf but also plan for your entire chimpanzee safari which involves transportation to Kalinzu forest, accommodation where you will stay during the safari, other activities to engage in after chimpanzee trekking and other destinations to combine with Kalinzu forest, Kalinzu forest chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth N.P.
Where to stay in Kalinzu forest during Chimpanzee trekking
There are a wide range of accommodation facilities near Kalinzu forest where you can stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari. The accommodation facilities range from budget, midrange and luxury including Katara Lodge, Irungu Forest Safari Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Parkview Safari Lodge, Kingfisher Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Elephant hab Lodge, Pumba Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Twin Lakes Safari Lodge among others.
How to get to Kalinzu forest for chimpanzee trekking
Kalinzu forest is located in western park of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi and then to Kalinzu forest which takes about 5 to 6 hours’ drive, Kalinzu forest chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth N.P.
Kalinzu forest can also be accessed by air transport means where you will book a scheduled or charter flight from Entebbe international airport to Mweya airstrip and then connect to Kalinzu forest headquarters by road, Kalinzu forest chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth N.P.
Apart from chimpanzee trekking, Kalinzu forest offers other activities that travelers can engage in including Bird watching where you will be able to view different bird species, guided nature walk where you will get up-close and personal with different wildlife species, wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth national park, boat cruise, lion tracking experience among others.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest is an adventurous activity that can be combined with other activities like bird watching, wildlife viewing, Bigodi swamp walk, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park among others. For more information about Kalinzu forest chimpanzee trekking, do not hesitate to contact our tour consultants at Achieve Global Safaris.
