Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking refers to visiting chimpanzees in their natural environment, the chimpanzee trekking activity starts early morning with a briefing about the dos and don’ts at the forest headquarters, you are later grouped in groups of members each with Park guides, Rangers who lead you to the forest for your chimpanzee experience.
The trek takes 30 minutes to hours, depending on the movement of the chimpanzees. Once the chimps are found you will stay for one hour or four hours with these amazing creatures to watch them eating, resting and playing. Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda also gives of chances of viewing other primates, reptiles and mammals like the forest Elephants, Monkeys, Butterflies, depending on your luck. There are three sessions for chimpanzee trekking Namely; the Morning session that starts at 8:00 am, the Mid-morning session that starts at Mid-day, and the afternoon session that starts at 2 pm throughout the year.
Where to go for Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda?
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale National Park is one of the best places in Africa where you can see chimpanzees in their natural environment. Chimpanzees are among the endangered species in the world, Kibale National park is referred to as the Primate capital having about 20 primate species which is the highest density in all of Africa. Chimpanzees are the second famous primates after the Mountain Gorillas, and they also have 95% human DNA.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale is one of the once in the lifetime experiences you will enjoy in Uganda Kibale Forest National Park is located in western Uganda covering the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjonjo, Kamwenge and Kyegegwa. Kibale forest national park is a tropical forest and is a habitat of a number of forest wildlife, about 1500 chimpanzees, bird species, Tree species, reptiles, Monkeys, butterflies, Mammals and other wildlife. The road trip from Kampala/Entebbe is about 4-5hours drive.
Chimpanzee trekking permits for Kibale forest National Park?
The chimpanzee trekking permits are very essential for your visit to see the chimpanzees in Kibale forest national park. The chimpanzee permits are bought from the offices of the Uganda wildlife Authority in Kampala and the permit price is inclusive of the entrance fees and guiding fees.
According to the UWA-Tariff for 2021-2022, the chimpanzee Trekking permit is issued to those interested to see the chimpanzees that are already used to people and only allows one hour of viewing and staying with the chimpanzee once you find them. This permit costs USD 200 per person Non-Foreign Residents, USD150 Per Person Foreign Residents, and Uganda shillings 150,000 per person for East African Citizens. There is also a chimpanzee habituation Permit that allows you to see the chimpanzees for 4 hours, the permit costs USD250 for Non-Foreign residents, 200 for foreign Residents, and UGX 200,000 for Citizens.
Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu Forest is located close to Queen Elizabeth National park and Maramagambo forest in Bushenyi district Western Uganda. The Forest is having about 414 Species of trees, it harbors 378 Species of Birds, six different Species of Primates, Blue Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys and Chimpanzees, 262 Butterflies, 97 Moths, Reptiles and Flowers. Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest is one of the major activities done in this forest and many who have done it have had an experience worth the money spent.
The cost of chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest
The cost of chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest depends on days to spend and places where to stay on your safari to Kalinzu forest for this activity. A chimpanzee trekking permit costs $50 for a foreign non-resident, $50 for a resident per person per trek, this permit gives you an opportunity to spend 1-hour encounter with the habituated chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest. On top of the permit you will also pay other services for a successful chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest which include transport, accommodation and guiding.
Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Kyambura gorge is located in Queen Elizabeth National park Western Uganda. The gorge was established to work as a buffer zone of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is home to different Species of Primates best known for chimpanzees, Vervet Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys and Butterflies, Moths, Reptiles and Flowers. Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge is one of the major activities done in this forest and many who have done it have had an experience worth the money spent.
What is the cost of chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge?
The cost of chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge depends on days to spend and places where to stay on your safari to Kyambura gorge for this activity. A chimpanzee trekking permit costs $50 for a foreign non-resident, $50 for a resident per person per trek, this permit gives you an opportunity to spend 1-hour encounter with the habituated chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge. On top of the permit you will also pay other services for a successful chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge which include transport, accommodation and guiding.
Budongo Forest, Murchsion Falls National Park.
Budongo Forest reserve is a tropical Rain forest located in Murchison falls National Park in North western Uganda in Masindi district. Budongo is a 4-5 hours drive from Kampala city/Entebbe offers an opportunity to trek and see chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Other primates that can be observed are the Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys and Grey-cheeked Mangabeys.
What is the cost of chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest?
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest Reserve is managed by Uganda lodges licensed by National Forestry Authority and Uganda Wildlife Authority. The chimpanzee Trekking permit is essential and is issued for those interested to see the chimpanzees that are already used to people and only allows one hour of viewing and staying with the chimpanzee once you find them.
This permit costs USD 130 per person Non-Foreign Residents, USD120 Per person Foreign Residents and USD85 per person for Uganda Citizens. There are two sessions for chimpanzee trekking in budongo forest, the Morning session that starts at 8:00am and afternoon session that starts at Mid-day through put the year. Both sessions are very safe for chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest.
Best time to do chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.
The best time to do chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is during the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for the treks in the Forests, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for viewing the chimpanzees offering great sights for photographs.
During the other months of April, May and November which is normally a wet season this makes the vegetation grow high making the sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact chimpanzees don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available in the forest compared to the dry seasons.
Why book Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda with Katland Safaris
We at Katland Safaris our mission is to create life-changing and impactful adventures which begin the moment you arrive in Africa. We are on a journey to transfer the normal way of how to explore Africa, that is on all our trips in Africa you have an optional opportunity to take part in activities mostly life-changing and giving hope to the communities as well conserving for future generations such as planting a tree, volunteering and Packing for A Purpose among others.
From our airport meet and greet, welcome services to our private and group transfers to safari destinations your Adventure safari is well planned and managed. We have a strong concern on conserving the environment on all our trips we discourage where possible no to pack non-recyclable items and carry reusable items like water bottles among other important aspects to protect the environment.