Safari Destinations In Uganda To See Chimpanzees
Safari Destinations in Uganda – Chimpanzee trekking involves movement in the forest in search for Habituated chimpanzees in the forest also referred as Chimpanzee trekking or tracking and according to the growth of the tourism sector in uganda, the Uganda wildlife authority has found out that there are many destinations in uganda for chimpanzee trekking and therefore gazetted them as conservation areas so its a great deal in deciding where to go for chimp trekking tours. After you found the chimpanzee, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat.
To be able to participate in Chimpanzee trekking, you will need to obtain a chimpanzee trekking permit from either Uganda wildlife Authority or through a reputable local tour company who will take on the process and secure the permits for you.
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, is conducted in different safari destinations including;
Kibale forest national park which is the major location and the primate capital in the wild. you can also track chimps in Kalinzu forest, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park and in Budongo forest in Murchison falls National Park.
Booking a last-minute chimpanzee trekking permit is possible and this article will help guide you on the key factors to consider in order to have a successful Chimpanzee trekking safari.
Safari destinations in Uganda where you can go for chimpanzee trekking
The following are destinations in uganda for chimpanzee trekking tours and they proven to be the best and famously visited all year round and are never missed if your having a safari to uganda. but remember in each of the following destinations you need a chimpanzee permit to trek and habituated the habituated chimpanzees so you need to book now or earlier so that you get best dates which may include dry season dates which are known to be the best time to visit.
List Of Safari Destinations in Uganda
Kibale forest National Park/ Chimpanzee trekking
Kibale forest national park is situated in the district of Kabarole in western region of the country, Kibale forest national is a home to 1 primate species and over 1,500 chimpanzees ranking it has one of the best national parks for chimpanzee trekking safaris.
The park is also a habitat for other primate species including the red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, Vervet monkeys, Olive baboons among others.
Besides the primates, you will also encounter some animal species in the forest like the forest elephants, buffalos, duikers, bushbucks, warthogs, and variety of bird species.
Kibale forest is referred as the primate capital but also offers a lot more to see and do beyond the primates.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park is conducted in two sessions that is the morning session which starts at 8:00am and afternoon session start at 2:00pm.
Each session begins with the briefing at the park headquarters about the rules and the regulations to followed while in the tropical for in search for the habituated chimpanzees.
Besides the famous chimpanzee trekking, Kibale forest national park also offers chimpanzee habituation experience which is also not much different from the normal trekking, but the habituation involves the process of making the chimps used to the sight of humans while the trekking is done on already habituated chimps.
Habituation lasts for a period of two years for the process to be rendered complete. During the habituation, you will spend four hours with the chimps studying them, learning their behaviors among other daily activities.
Kibale Forest is the best option for primate safari in uganda
Kalinzu forest/ Chimpanzee trekking // Read More
Visitors in Queen Elizabeth national park, can also take time and trek chimps in Kalinzu forest if time may not allow you to visit Kibale forest national park. Kalinzu is another exciting safari destination for chimpanzee trekking activity.
Kalinzu is located in eastern part of Queen Elizabeth national park in Bushenyi district and also close to Maramagambo forest not far from queen Elizabeth.
Kalinzi forest is a home to 6 primate species with chimpanzees being the main safari attraction, other primates include; red tailed monkeys, I’hoest monkeys, Vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys among others.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest, is also conducted in two sessions, morning and afternoon. Therefore, the permits you will obtain will determine the time you will be tracking the chimps.
Kalinzu Forest is a good option for primate safari in Uganda.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge // Read More
Kyambura gorge is also located in Queen Elizabeth national park and has got also some habituated chimpanzees living in the forest from where you are also able to do chimpanzee trekking.
Queen Elizabeth national park is the second largest national park famous for wildlife safaris. Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura starts by 8:00am with the briefing at the park headquarters by an expert guide.
Thereafter, you will be accompanied by ranger guide to be your search in the forest, upon finding the chimps, you will spend one hour with them in their natural habitat.
Kyambura gorge is a good option for primate safari in Uganda.
Budongo forest/ Chimpanzee trekking // Read More
Budongo forest is located in Murchison Falls national park, Murchison falls national park is the largest wildlife national park in Uganda and famously known to be the home to the four of the big five game and also famous for its powerful water falls.
Besides the mammals, the park is also a home to several primate species. Chimpanzees are the major attractions in Budongo among other primate’s species including the red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, olive baboons among others.
The forest is also rich in bird life with over 350 bird species which is the perfect spot in Murchison falls for bird watching activities. Chimpanzee trekking starts early morning with the briefing at park headquarters at 8:00am on the dos and the don’ts of chimpanzee trekking in the Budongo forest.
Budongo Forest is a good option for primate safari in Uganda.
Other options for primate safari in Uganda: Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, Ngamba Island, Uganda wildlife Education Centre
Chimpanzee trekking experience // Read More
Depending on the time you will visit the park, you will be required to rise up early and head to park headquarters by 8:0am for a briefing by an expert guide on the rules and regulations for tracking the chimps, these rules cut a cross for all the primates both the chimps, gorillas and others.
After the trekking, you will be led by experienced ranger guide in to the forest to begin your search for the habituated chimps. The exercise takes about 1-6 hours depending on the location of the chimps since they move from place to place in search for food.
While in the forest, you will also see other primate species, some few animals and different bird species among other attractions.
Once you have found the chimps, you will be allowed one hour to observe them, watch them play, groom young ones, feed, making nests among other daily activities. you will also capture those epic moments, record videos, for your memories with your closest relatives- (note, no flash lights are allowed).
Chimpanzee trekking permit cost in different Safari Destinations in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking permits cost vary depending on the safari destination you will be visiting for chimpanzee trekking.
Visitors visiting Kibale forest National Park, Kibale forest is the major tourist destination for chimpanzee trekking and has the biggest population of chimps. The permits for Kibale forest cost $200 per person for foreign non residence, $150 per person for foreign residence and 150,000 UGX per person for East African Citizens.
Budongo forest chimpanzee trekking cost $130 per person for foreign non residence, $12 for foreign residence and $85 paid by East African citizens, all permits are paid per person trekking the chimps and for persons above 15 years.
Kalinzu forest and Kyambura gorge chimpanzee trekking permits cost $50 per person trekking and foreign non residence, $40 per person for foreign residence and 30,000 UGX for East African Citizens.
All permits are issued by Uganda wildlife Authority whereby you can either book the permits directly or through a reputable local tour company like Us at Adventure in the wild safaris, we will check for the availability of the permits and once the payment is confirmed, we will purchase for you as send you a scanned copy of the document as proof.
Process of booking the last-minute chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Last minute chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can be book either directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) where you will contact the head office in Kampala or the park offices via their emails or telephone numbers and they will advise you accordingly.
Alternatively, the easiest and most effective option is to book your last-minute chimpanzee trekking with a reputable tour operator like Adventure in the wild safaris, where you will provide us with your information like the date, the month, year and the chimpanzee destination you would like to visit for your chimpanzee trekking experience.
After you have confirmed your details with us, we will go ahead and check for the availability of the permits on your preferred dates. you will ask to a make a deposit for the permits and once payment is received, we will purchase the permits on your behalf.
Best time to go on a chimpanzee trekking in Safari Destinations of Uganda
Chimpanzees trekking can be done in four different safari destinations that is Kibale forest national park, Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest and Budongo forest both harbor chimpanzees which are habituated and are used to the sight of humans.
These national parks are open all year round and the chimpanzee trekking is done on daily basis through out the year.
Despite Being an all-year-round experience, the best time to visit the parks is during the dry season when there is little or no rainfall received at all. from the month of June, July, August, September, December to January through out February.
During these periods, the park trails are dry and the roads are passable thus easy to trek, hike the forest in search for the chimps. Compared to the dry season when the ground is muddy and slippery thus causing difficult and delays during mot activities.
Last minute Chimpanzee trekking packing List
Although these months are considered the dry month, these national parks are tropical rain forest thus you may receive showers at any time of the day.
Therefore, you will need to park right despite the season because the weather in these places is unpredictable.
There are a number of items you are required to pack for your last-minute chimpanzee trekking.
Including; comfortable hiking boots, insect repellent, long sleeved shirt and trousers, garden gloves, water proof rain jacket, sweater or poncho for ladies, camera with extra batteries, Binoculars, a hat, sunscreen, sun glasses, walking stick which will be given at the park headquarters, energy snacks, drinking water and back pack to carry all these essentials among all other items of personal nature.
Where to stay/Accommodation options for your last-minute chimpanzee trekking in all Safari Destinations in Uganda
There are several accommodation options where you can choose to stay during your safari visit in any of the chimpanzee tracking destinations in Uganda which are Kyambura gorge and Kalinzu forest situated not far from Queen Elizabeth national park, Budongo forest situated in Murchison falls and Kibale forest National which is the primate capital in the world.
The accommodation ranges from Budget, Mid-range to luxury facilities based to suite the desire of all the visitors.
The lodges include; in Budongo forest of Murchison falls, we have Paraa safari lodge, Pakuba safari lodge, Budongo Eco lodge, Nile safari lodge among others.
Whereas in Kibale forest National Park, there’s Primate safari lodge, Chimpundu lodge/Kibale forest, Turaco tree tops, Isunga lodge, Chimpanzee Forest lodge among others.
While in Kyambura and Kalinzu forest, they include; Kyambura Gorge lodge, Elephants Hab lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Parkside safari lodge, Queen Elizabeth safari lodge, Engiri Game lodge among others.
