Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest; Chimpanzee trekking is an exciting activity in Budongo forest that 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. Budongo forest is located in Murchison falls national park and known as the largest mahogany forest in East Africa. Budongo forest is a home of large numbers of chimpanzees, other primates like black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, mammals, different plant and tree species, variety of bird species among others.
The activity starts very early in the morning 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 chimpanzee trekking trails. Trekking of chimpanzees in Budongo forest takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on where they are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking you will be able to see other primates, different bird species, 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 habits, behaviors, lifestyle, watch them feed, breastfeed, play, mate, fight, rest, take photos and record the beautiful moments to show people back home after the Uganda safari.
It also offers chimpanzee habituation experience where the wild chimpanzees are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Chimpanzee habituation experience takes a period of 2 to 3 years to be complete and it involves a team of researchers, scientists, park guides, rangers among others. Chimpanzee habituation experience in Budongo forest is only carried out in the low season and allows visitors to spend four hours in the presence of the chimpanzees.
Cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Budongo forest
A chimpanzee trekking permit in Budongo forest during the high 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 in Budongo forest 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.
A chimpanzee habituation experience in Budongo forest 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. Chimpanzee trekking permits in Budongo forest can be booked through a tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris whereby you will contact us with the dates when you wish to visit the chimpanzees. 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. Once we receive the money, we will purchase the permits on your behalf.
Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest can be done all year round though the best time is during the wet/ rainy season in the months of March to May and October to November. During the wet season, there is plenty of food in the park due to rainfall therefore chimpanzees will not move deep into the forest hence they will easily be found.
It can also be done in the dry season during the months of June to September and December to February in that the chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable.
Where to stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari in Budongo forest
There are a number of accommodation facilities in Murchison falls national park where you can stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari in Budongo forest. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Budongo eco lodge, Bamboo village safari lodge, Boomu women’s group camp, Murchison river lodge, Pakuba safari lodge, Amuka safari lodge, bwana Tembo safari camp, Kabalega wilderness lodge, Masindi hotel, Parkside safari lodge, new court view hotel among others.
How to get to Budongo forest
Budongo forest is located in Murchison falls national park north western park of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means where by you will drive from Kampala via Masindi to Budongo forest which takes about 4 to 5 hours’ drive.
It can be combined with other activities like game drives, boat cruise, bird watching, guided nature walks, sport fishing, hot air balloon experience, gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park among others. For more information about chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest, do not hesitate to reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris.
