Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda: Chimpanzee trekking is an exciting and the second best done activity in Uganda after gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park. Chimpanzee trekking adventure involves visitors 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 in various destinations including Kibale forest national park which is the most visited chimpanzee destination, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park, Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park and Kalinzu forest located in Bushenyi district. Chimpanzee trekking in all the destinations 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 conversant with chimpanzee trekking trails.
Trekking of chimpanzees 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 primate species, birds, animals, view different plant and tree 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 an opportunity to learn about their lifestyle, behaviors, watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, playing, breastfeeding, mating, fighting, resting, take photos and record videos to show people back home after the safari.
Kibale forest national park is located in western part of Uganda and its famously known for harboring 13 primate species including 1,500 chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys among others. Both Kibale forest national park and Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park offer chimpanzee habituation experience where the wild chimpanzees are trained to get used to human presence for trekking.
Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda
Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda vary depending on the 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 habituation permit in Kibale forest national park costs 250 USD per person for foreign non residents, 200 USD per person for foreign residents and 200,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
A chimpanzee trekking permit in Budongo forest during the peak season 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 while a chimpanzee trekking permit during the low season costs 120 USD per person for foreign non residents, 110 USD per person for foreign residents and 80 USD per person for East African citizens. Chimpanzee habituation experience in Budongo forest is only done in the low season and the permit costs 230 USD per person for foreign non residents, 160 USD per person for foreign residents and 90 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) by contacting the head offices in Kampala or park offices via email or telephone calls. Chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda can also be booked through a tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris whereby you will contact us with the dates, months, year and destination you wish to visit. After contacting us, we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available on your desired dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the money, we will purchase the permits on your behalf.
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. During the dry season, the national parks receive less rainfall therefore vegetation will be thin which helps you to have clear views of the chimpanzees and other wildlife species, access roads to the national parks and chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable.
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can also be done in the wet/ rainy season during the months of march to May and October to November because the wet season, there is plenty of food and fruits for chimpanzees hence they will not move deep into the forest therefore they will be found easily.
What to pack for your chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda
There are a number of essentials to pack for your chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda for example hiking boots, garden gloves, cotton socks, long sleeved shirt and trouser, waterproof rain jacket, camera and extra batteries, a pair of binoculars, insect repellent, bottled drinking water, waterproof backpack among others.
For breathtaking and unforgettable memories, Chimpanzee trekking is a thrilling activity that can be combined with gorilla trekking or wildlife viewing. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris of visit our website for various safari packages.
