Best place for chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda
Best location for chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda: After gorilla trekking in the impenetrable national park of Bwindi, chimpanzee trekking is a fascinating sport in Uganda that draws a diverse spectrum of tourists. In Uganda, chimpanzee trekking is conducted in a number of national parks, such as Kibale Forest National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Forest, and Budongo Forest. The activity entails walking through the tropical rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzees and spending an hour with them in their natural habitat.
One of the questions that travelers have is where to go on a chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda. This article will help you plan a successful chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda by highlighting important details like the best time to visit for chimpanzees, the cost of chimpanzee trekking permits, and the locations for chimpanzee trekking.
Ugandan chimpanzee trekking
Several national parks in Uganda are used for chimpanzee trekking, including Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Kalinzu Forest in Bushenyi District, Kyambura Gorge, also known as the Valley of Apes, in the eastern portion of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kibale Forest National Park, also known as the Primate Capital, in the western part of the country. In every location, chimpanzee trekking begins very early in the morning with a briefing at park headquarters regarding the rules and regulations.
Following the briefing, an experienced park guide who is familiar with chimpanzee trekking tracks will be assigned to you together with a habituated chimpanzee family to trek. Because chimpanzees prefer to roam around in search of food, trekking with them in Uganda can take anywhere from two to five hours, depending on their location. You can see other primates, plant and tree species, and various bird species while trekking.
After you locate the chimpanzees, you will have the chance to spend an hour with them, during which you will be able to learn about their habits and behaviors, observe how they feed, nurse, play, hunt, rest, fight, mate, and groom their young, as well as take pictures and videos to show your family back home after the safari.
The ideal time of year to visit Uganda for a chimpanzee trekking safari
The best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is during the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February. This is because there is less rainfall in the chimpanzee destinations during this time, which makes the trekking trails dry and manageable and makes chimpanzee trekking easier.
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is also possible during the wet/rainy season, which runs from March to May and October to November. This is because there is an abundance of food and fruits for chimpanzees, which makes them easier to spot and allows hikers to cover more ground in less time.
The price of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda for Kibale Chimpanzees
Visitors above the age of 12 are granted chimpanzee trekking permits, which are official documents provided by the Uganda Wildlife Authority that permit them to visit habituated chimpanzee families and spend an hour with the animals in their natural habitat. It costs 50 USD for foreign non-residents, 40 USD for foreign residents, and 30,000 UGX for East African citizens to obtain a chimpanzee hiking permit in Kalinzu Forest and Kyambura Gorge.
In Kibale Forest National Park, chimpanzee trekking permits cost 200 USD per person for non-resident foreigners, 150 USD per person for residents, and 150,000 UGX per person for East African nationals.
The cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Budongo Forest is 130 USD for non-resident foreigners, 120 USD for locals, and 85 USD for nationals of East Africa.
How to reserve permits for chimpanzee hiking in Uganda
By calling or emailing the park offices, you can make a direct reservation for chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). You can also reserve chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda by contacting a reputable tour operator, such as Experiya Tour Company, via phone or email.
Simply provide the date, month, and year of your desired chimpanzee visit. After getting in touch with us, we will see if there are any permits available on the days you have selected. If so, you will be required to pay a deposit. We will be able to buy the chimpanzee trekking permit on your behalf as soon as the payment is received.
However, Experiya Tour Company is the best option to book chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda because we can also arrange your entire safari, including transportation to the chimpanzee destinations, lodging where you will stay during the safari, services of an experienced driver guide, advice on what to do after chimpanzee trekking, and other places to visit during your safari, among other things.
Things to bring on your Ugandan chimpanzee hiking safari
When going on a chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda, you will need to pack or carry a variety of items, such as long-sleeved shorts and trousers, garden gloves, insect repellent, a waterproof rain jacket, hiking shoes, bottled water, a camera and extra batteries, binoculars, a walking stick, long socks, and a backpack.
Depending on your preferences, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can be done in the Budongo forest, Kalinzu forest, Kyambura Gorge, or Kibale Forest National Park. Chimpanzee trekking can also be paired with gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to create truly memorable safari experiences.
