Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Uganda
Chimpanzee Trekking Safari is the second done activity along with gorilla trekking experience and this is because of Uganda hosing a high percentage of endangered chimpanzees of over 5,000 individuals chimpanzees. Above all, chimpanzee tracking experience in the highlight of Uganda safari where travelers desire to visit their nature habitats to encounter these exciting great apes which are said to share 98% human genes. This is one of the most done touristic activities on safari Uganda where travelers are given one hour to spend with these chimpanzees which is quiet awesome encounter and a great opportunity for the visitors to get close to their related cousins and learn about their lifestyle while in their natural habitat. Note, this is a daily done activity where travelers do usually visit their protected areas to explore the habituated chimpanzee which are being trained to get close to a human being.
Chimpanzee trekking is an activity carried out by the help of the trained rangers who leads you in the hike to search for habituated chimpanzee in the forest. Furthermore, Uganda is the best chimpanzee tracking destination in entire East Africa with a total of more than 5,000 individual chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking is one of the major done activity and that attracts a number of visitors to visit Uganda and the number of tourists is increasing on a daily basis and yearly thus impacting the development of Uganda tourism hub plus the country’s economy. This is because of the green nature that rewards Uganda to be called the pearl of Africa. In Uganda, chimpanzee tracking safaris is best enjoyed at kibale forest national park, a park where you will visit on Uganda chimpanzees safari and be filled with lots of excitement and worth to be encountered to your next visit to safari Uganda. Though kibale forest is the hallmark of tracking Uganda chimpanzees because of being a home of more than 1500 individual chimpanzees there are also other designated places where one can choose to encounter chimpanzee tracking on safari Uganda and such places include; Kalinzu forest, Budongo forest’ ‘’kaniyo pabidi’’ Kyambura gorge and Toro Semuliki wildlife reserve as explained below.
Kibale forest –Chimpanzee tracking;
However, Kibale forest National Park is the top chimpanzee destination where travelers can visit and be filled with many pleasures of encountering a huge number of individual chimpanzees. Chimpanzee tracking and Chimpanzee habituation ‘’CHEX’’ are best carried out in here on your Uganda chimpanzee safari and not only in Uganda but in entire Africa. In the Kibale forest, you will never fail to see chimpanzees while on your safari. Kibale forest is famously known as a primate’s capital destination worldwide which is because of being a home of over 1,500 and other 13 primates.
To note, the nature of Kibale forest favors these chimpanzees that’s the reason why it is the best tracking location in Uganda and this activity is the major reason for dense conservation of kibale forest national park. But for one to be able to do chimpanzee tracking in kibale, you’re required to obtain a valid chimpanzee tracking permit from Uganda wildlife Authority or from any registered tour company to be helped by the tour operators. Note that, there is a limited age limit to be allowed to engage in chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda, children must be 15 years and above. The cost of chimpanzee tracking permits in kibale forest in USD 150 for foreign non-residents, USD100 for foreign residents and Ugandan or East African members are charged UGX100,000. But effectively by July 1st 2020/22, the cost of chimpanzee tracking permits was changed, Foreign Non-Residents will pay USD200, Foreign resident of Uganda pay USD150 per track per group and UGX150,000 for the East African community member and note that the chimpanzee permits for the kibale forest include the park entrance fees. Kibale forest has a high chance of 99% of seeing chimpanzee.
Facts about chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking experience starts early in the morning after visitor’s breakfast, your driver drives you to the briefing point inside the park at 7 am. At 8 am meet the ranger to lead you in forest trail heads to track the habituated chimpanzees’ family in a group of 8 people. The track can last 30 to 7hours depending on their location and once the chimpanzees are found trackers are given 1 hour to spend with them while watching as you learn their behavior in their nature inhabits, take photos and after descent back to your lodge.
Kalinzu forest-chimpanzee tracking experience
This forest is the second designated tracking area in Uganda for chimpanzee tracking. The forest is located near Queen Elizabeth national park which is the cheapest area for tracking chimpanzee compared to other chimpanzee trekking destinations. In Kalinzu the minimum age for the trackers must be 12 years of age. Kalinzu chimpanzee tracking permits cost USD30 per person and the permit excludes the entrance fee. For travelers who are planning to combine gorilla trekking or wildlife with chimpanzee tracking this forest and kibale forest are the best chimpanzee location in Uganda safari. On your visit to Kalinzu, you can book lodges inside Queen Elizabeth national park since the Kalinzu forest has no lodges.
Budongo Forest-Chimpanzee tracking
Budongo forest is the third-best tracking location for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda. This forest is located to the boundary of Murchison falls national park which is Uganda’s largest park located in the northwestern direction in Uganda. To many travelers who visit Murchison falls national park on their game drive, it is very easy for them to add it to any safari prompted by the traveler. Budongo chimpanzee tracking is privately owned by the Jane Goodall Institute though it is also overseen by the UWA. Chimpanzee trekking permits in Budongo forest cost USD80 per person per group but permits exclude the park entrance fee which is USD40 for foreign non-residents and UGX 20,000 for Ugandans plus other East African members. In Budongo forest chimpanzee tracking can be tracked twice a day during morning and in the afternoon.
Kyambura Gorge-chimpanzee tracking
Kyambura Gorge is found in Queen Elizabeth national park and above all, the 4th best destination for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda. According to Uganda wildlife the cost of chimpanzee tracking permits remained the same in Queen Elizabeth national park, foreigner’s non-resident pays USD50, East African community member pay UGX30,000 and the park entrance fees cost USD40 for foreign nonresident, foreign residents cost USD30 and Ugandans pay Ugx 20,000. Kyambura gorge is a hidden rain forest with a wide range of savannah grassland and this has made the travelers have this opportunity to see the wonders that exist in this strip of beauty with in a vast wilderness of Queen and the possibility of seeing chimpanzees in here is 50%.
Toro –Semuliki Wildlife Reserve- Chimpanzee tracking experience
This is also a protected remote area known as a home to a few chimpanzees and the number is growing slowly. They were habituated by Indiana University as a place of tracking chimpanzees and is among the best destination for birders. Semuliki chimpanzee tracking permits are cheaper which cost USD30 per person for foreigner non-resident and Foreign resident and the East African community members pay UGX30,000. The reserve can be accessed to Rwenzori Mountain national park and kibale forest.
On traveler’s chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda, there are other chances of encountering small primates such as grey-cheeked mangabey, Dent’s Mona Monkeys, De Brazza’s, Red tailed monkeys, Central African red colobus, Olive baboons among others along with your tracking you can be able to spot various species of birds.
Above all, chimpanzee tracking destination in Uganda, kibale forest national park remains the main outstanding location to see chimpanzees in Uganda and in East Africa. The UWA conservation tariffs decided to increase chimpanzee tracking permits by USD50 respectively. They increased if from USD150 to USD 200 per person effectively by 1st July 2020/22.
Note. Chimpanzee tracking permits are the main passport as an identification valid card issued by the visitors to be able to track the chimpanzees and travelers you’re advised to book for your valid permits as early as possible since permits can be on sell in few numbers.
Rules and Regulations about Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda
- Trackers should always follow the rules given by the ranger.
- Keep a distance of about 7kilomters away from the chimpanzees.
- Travelers who are sick from diarrhea, flue, are not allowed to go for tracking.
- Do not litter the rubbish in the park.
- You should not east when you’re near the chimpanzee because they might grab the food from you.
- Do not touch on chimpanzees.
- Do not use the flash cameras in nature inhabits.
- Trackers are encouraged to wear long sleeved shirts, good hiking book and long trousers.
What to carry during the chimpanzee tracking in Uganda?
Travelers must carry enough drinking water in order to avoid dehydration during the chimpanzee tracking since the track can take long hours.
Carry raincoat, jackets, hiking boots and stick.
A camera with extra batteries will help them to capture their own pictures for everlasting memories after their trek.
Chimpanzee tracking safari in Uganda can be done throughout the year in any season since Uganda has got favorable weather conditions for travelers. To be able to enjoy their activity without any inconvenience of water source in forest trail heads.
