Kalinzu forest chimpanzee trekking.
One of the places that offers the fascinating chimpanzee trekking activity is Kalinzu Forest. Here, guests venture into the tropical rainforest to look for habituated chimpanzees and, if they are located, spend an hour with them in their natural habitat. The Kalinzu Forest, which is situated in the Bushenyi district close to Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda, is home to a variety of wildlife species, including over 378 bird species, 262 butterflies, 414 tree species, and six primate species, including chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and blue monkeys.
In addition to Kalinzu Forest, other Ugandan locations for chimpanzee trekking include Budongi Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Trekking chimpanzees in the Kalinzu forest
The two sessions of chimpanzee trekking in Kalizu Forest are the morning session, which begins at 8:00 am, and the afternoon session, which begins at approximately 2:00 pm. At the park headquarters, each session begins early in the morning with a briefing regarding the expectations, rules, and regulations. Following the briefing, you will be paired with a family of chimpanzees to begin your trip through the jungle.
Depending on the chimps’ location, this might take anywhere from two to five hours, as they are constantly moving in pursuit of food. You can see other wildlife while trekking, and after you find the chimpanzees, you can spend an hour with them in their natural environment. This allows you to observe how they go about their daily lives, learn about their behaviors, take pictures, and record videos.
The ideal time of year to trek chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest
Although chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest is possible at any time of year, the best time to do it is during the dry season, also referred to as the peak season, which occurs in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. This is because the forest receives little rainfall during this time, making the chimpanzee trekking trails dry and accessible, making the trek easier.
In Kalinzu forest, chimpanzee trekking can also be done during the low/rainy season, which is March, April, May, October, and November. Since there are fewer visitors during these months, you can enjoy chimpanzee trekking with fewer crowds, and some lodges give discounts to draw in customers, which appeals to tourists on a tight budget.
The price of permits for chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest
In the Kalinzu Forest, licenses for chimpanzee trekking cost 130 USD per person for foreign visitors, 65 USD for foreign residents, and 65 USD for East African nationals.
How can I reserve permission to hike with chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest?
You can reserve chimpanzee trekking permits in Kalinzu Forest by contacting a reputable tour operator, such as Experiya Tour Company, and providing the date, month, and year you would want to see the chimps. Following your contact, we will check with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to see if any permits are available. If so, you will be required to pay a deposit for the permit. We will be able to obtain the necessary permits on your behalf as soon as the payment is received.
Things to bring when traveling with chimpanzees in the Kalinzu forest
When going on a chimpanzee trekking safari in Kalinzu forest, you should bring a number of items, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants, hiking shoes, insect repellent, a waterproof rain jacket, long socks, a camera and extra batteries, binoculars, energy snacks and water, a walking stick, a warm sweater, and a backpack.
Additional pursuits in Kalinzu Forest
In addition to chimpanzee trekking, Kalinzu Forest provides visitors with other exciting safari activities, like walking through the forest, observing a variety of bird species, observing wildlife, identifying butterflies, and spotting colorful butterflies.
Directions to Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu Forest is situated in the western region of Uganda and is reachable by road transportation. It takes roughly five to six hours to drive there from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, and Bushenyi.
A local flight with Aerolink Uganda from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese or Mweya airstrips can also be used to reach Kalinzu Forest. From there, it’s a two-hour drive to Kalinzu Forest via road.
