Last minute chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda
Last minute chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda; Chimpanzee trekking is an interesting activity where tourists move 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 carried out in different destinations namely Kibale forest national park, Kalinzu forest, Kyambura gorge and Budongo forest. Booking last minute chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda is possible and this article will guide you on the key factors to consider in order to have a successful chimpanzee trekking safari.
Where to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest also known as the primate capital is located in the western part of Uganda in Kabarole district. Kibale forest national park is known for harbouring 13 primate species including over 1,500 chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, grey checked mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons among others. The national park is also a home of mammals like forest elephants, buffaloes, duikers, bushbucks, warthogs and different bird species.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park is done in two sessions that is the morning session which starts at 8:00am and the afternoon session which starts at 2:00pm and each session starts with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations at the park headquarters.
Kibale forest national park also offers chimpanzee habituation experience where the wild chimpanzees are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Tourists who engage in chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale forest national park will get an opportunity to spend four hours with the chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest
Kalinzu forest is another chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda located in western region in Bushenyi district near Queen Elizabeth national park and Maramagambo forest. Kalinzu forest is a home of six primate species including chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys among others. Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest is also done in two sessions that is the morning and afternoon session.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge
Kyambura gorge is another chimpanzee destination in Uganda located in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth national park which is the second largest national park in Uganda. chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge starts early in the morning at around 8:00am with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations at the park headquarters.
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest
Budongo forest is a chimpanzee trekking destination located in Murchison falls national park which is the largest national park in Uganda. Budongo forest is a home of nine primate species including over 600 chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, olive baboons and over 355 bird species. chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest starts early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters about the rules, regulations and expectations.
Budongo forest also offers chimpanzee habituation experience which is only done in the low/ wet season in the months of March to May and October to November.
Chimpanzee trekking experience
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda starts early in the morning at around 8:00am with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the forest with an experienced park guide in search of the habituated chimpanzees which takes about 2 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 primate species, view different bird species among others and once the chimpanzees are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you a chance to learn more about their behaviours, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos to show people back home.
Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda
Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda vary according to the destination you wish to visit for example 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.
Chimpanzee trekking permits 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.
Chimpanzee trekking permits 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 last minute chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda
Last minute chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) where you will contact the head offices in Kampala or the park offices through email or telephone calls. Last minute chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda 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 preferred dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once the payment has been made, we will be able to purchase the permit on your behalf.
Best time for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park, Kalinzu forest, Kyambura gorge and Budongo forest 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, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less or little rainfall in the national parks therefore access roads and chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery which make chimpanzee trekking difficult.
What to pack for last minute chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda
There are a number of items that you should pack for your last minute chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda including insect repellent, hiking shoes, long sleeved shirt and trouser, garden gloves, waterproof rain jacket, camera and extra batteries, a pair of binoculars, face masks, walking stick, energy snacks and drinking water, hat and sunscreen, back pack among others.
Where to stay during your last minute chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda
Kibale forest national park, Kalinzu forest, Kyambura gorge and Budongo forest have various accommodation facilities where you can stay during your last minute chimpanzee trekking safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Chimpundu Lodge, Primate Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Elephant Hab Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Safari Lodge, Pumba Safari Lodge, Isunga Lodge, Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Kibale Forest Lodge among others.
You can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris to book your last minute chimpanzee trekking safari or visit our website for various chimpanzee trekking packages
