Best place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Best place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda; Chimpanzee trekking is one of the most popular activities in Uganda where visitors get an opportunity to move into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated chimpanzees and once found spend one hour with them in their natural environment. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is done in four destinations including Kibale forest national park, Kalinzu forest, Budongo forest and Kyambura gorge. Apart from Uganda, chimpanzee trekking can also be done in Nyungwe forest national park in Rwanda.

Chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda

Kibale forest national park

Kibale forest national park also known as the primate capital is the best place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. The national park is located in western part of Uganda in Kabarole district and its known for harboring 13 primate species including over 1,500 chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, olive baboons among others.

Kalinzu forest

Kalinzu forest is another chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda located in western region in Bushenyi district near Maramagambo forest in Queen Elizabeth national park.

Kyambura gorge

Kyambura gorge also known as the valley of apes is yet another chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda located in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth national park in western region.

Budongo forest

Budongo forest is another best place for chimpanzee trekking located in Murchison falls national park which is the largest national park in Uganda.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park, Kalinzu forest, Kyambura gorge and Budongo forest starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the beefing, you will start trekking in search of the habituated chimpanzees with an experienced park guide which takes about 2 hours 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 wildlife species and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat where you will be able to learn more about their behaviors, habits, watch them feed, breastfeed, hunt, play, fight, take photos and record videos.

Best place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest

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 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 chimpanzee destinations therefore chimpanzee trekking trails will be passable hence making trekking easy.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can also be done in the wet or rainy season in the months of March to May and October to November because during this period, there is plenty of food for the chimpanzees therefore travelers will be able to locate the chimpanzees easily compared to the dry season where they will move deep into the forest in search of the chimpanzees.

Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking permits are legal cards that are issued to visitors above the age of 12 years allowing them to visit habituated gorilla families in either Kibale forest national park, Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest or Budongo forest and spend one hour with the chimpanzees in their habitat. 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 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.

A chimpanzee trekking permit 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 chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority or Uganda lodges for Budongo forest through email or telephone calls. 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 on your preferred dates and if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once the payment has been made, you we will be able to acquire the permits on your behalf.

What to pack for your chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda

There are a number of essential items that travelers should pack when going for a chimpanzee trekking safari in either Kibale forest national park, Budongo forest, Kyambura gorge and Kalinzu forest including long sleeved shirt and trouser, hiking shoes, garden gloves, waterproof rain jacket, insect repellent, face masks, camera and extra batteries, long socks, drinking water, walking stick, back pack among others.

Chimpanzee trekking is an interesting activity in Uganda that can either be done in Kibale forest national park, Kalinzu forest, Kyambura gorge or Budongo forest depending on your preference. For unforgettable memories on your safari, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can also be combined with other activities like wildlife viewing, bird watching, boat cruise, horseback riding, sport fishing among others in Lake Mburo national park, gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, mountain climbing among others. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various chimpanzee trekking packages.

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