Chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda; Chimpanzee trekking is one of the most popular activities in Uganda which 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 different destinations which include Kibale forest national park, Kalinzu forest, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park, Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park and Toro-Semuliki wildlife reserve.
Where to do chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest national park is one of chimpanzee trekking destinations located in western part of Uganda. The national park is also known as the primate capital because it harbors 13 primate species including over 1,500 chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, l’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys among others.
Kyambura gorge
Kyambura gorge is another chimpanzee trekking destination located in Queen Elizabeth national park. Kyambura gorge is also known as the valley of apes and it’s a home of about 80 chimpanzees with about 16 habituated chimpanzee families which are open for trekking daily.
Kalinzu forest
Kalinzu forest is also a chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda located in southwestern region in Bushenyi district close to Queen Elizabeth national park and Maramagambo forest. Kalinzu forest is a home of over 300 chimpanzees and about 70 chimpanzees have been habituated for trekking.
Budongo forest
Budongo forest is another chimpanzee trekking destination located in southern part of Murchison falls national park which is the largest national park in Uganda. Budongo forest is a home of over 600 chimpanzees with some families which have been habituated for trekking.
Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking permits are legal cards that are issued to visitors above the age of 15 years allowing them to visit any habituated chimpanzee family. Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda vary depending on the chimpanzee destination you wish to visit for example a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest and Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park 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 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 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.
How to book chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale forest national park, Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest and Budongo forest can either be booked through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) where you will contact the head offices through email or telephone calls. Chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris whereby you will contact us with the dates, months, 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 is availability, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the payment, we will purchase the permits on your behalf.
Best time to go for a chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can be done anytime of the year 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, there is little or less rainfall in the national parks therefore vegetation will be thin which helps you to view chimpanzees and other wildlife species clearly, access roads and chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy.
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can also be done in the wet/ rainy season during the months of March to May and October to November. During the wet season, there is plenty of food therefore chimpanzees will easily be found.
What to pack for your chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda
There are a number of items to pack for your chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda including long sleeved shirt and trouser, hiking boots, garden gloves, insect repellent, waterproof rain jacket/ poncho, camera and extra batteries, bottled drinking water, a pair of binoculars, waterproof backpack among others.
Chimpanzee trekking is an exciting activity that shouldn’t be missed during your safari in Uganda. For more information, you can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various chimpanzee trekking packages.
