Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda 2024/2025.
The second most popular activity in Uganda after gorilla trekking is chimpanzee trekking, which takes place in 2024–2025. It entails tourists walking through the tropical rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzees and spending an hour with them in their natural habitat.
In Uganda, chimpanzee trekking is conducted in a variety of locations, such as Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Kyambura Gorge, also known as the Valley of Apes, in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest in Bushenyi District, and Kibale Forest National Park, also known as the Primate Capital, in the western park.
Experience trekking with chimpanzees
In Kibale Forest National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Forest, and Budongo Forest, chimpanzee trekking begins very early in the morning with a training at park headquarters regarding expectations, laws, and regulations. Following the lecture, a knowledgeable park guide who is familiar with chimpanzee trekking routes will be assigned to you together with a family of chimpanzees 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 will be able to see a variety of wildlife species while walking, including birds, primates, plants, and trees.
You will be able to spend an hour with the chimpanzees in their natural habitat after they are located. This will allow you to observe their daily activities, such as feeding, nursing, grooming young, playing, and hunting, as well as take pictures and videos to share with people back home.
The price of a Ugandan chimpanzee hiking permit in 2024/2025
All visitors over 15 who wish to visit habituated chimpanzee families and spend an hour with the animals must have a chimpanzee trekking permit, which is a legal document. In Uganda, the cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit varies depending on where you want to go. For instance, a permit for visiting Kalinzu and Budongo forests costs 130 USD per person for foreign non-residents, 65 USD for foreign residents, and 65 USD for East African citizens.
In Kyambura Gorge, chimpanzee trekking permits cost 50 USD per person for non-resident foreigners, 40 USD per person for locals, and 30,000 UGX per person for inhabitants of East Africa. Effective July 1, 2024, the chimpanzee permit in Kyambura Gorge was raised to $100 USD per person for foreign non-residents, $80 USD per person for foreign residents, and 50,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
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. With effect from July 1, 2024, the chimpanzee permit in Kibale Forest National Park was also raised to 250 USD per person for foreign non-residents, 200 USD per person for international residents, and 180,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
How can I reserve permits for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda in 2024–2025?
You may reserve chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda by contacting Achieve Global Safaris, a reputable tour operator in Kampala. Please provide the date, month, year, and chimpanzee destination you would want to 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 may obtain the chimpanzee trekking permits on your behalf as soon as the payment is received, and we will email you a scanned copy of the receipt as proof.
The ideal time of year to visit Uganda for a chimpanzee trekking safari
The best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Forest, and Budongo Forest is during the dry season, also known as the peak season, which is June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. This is because there is less or no rainfall in the national parks during this time, making the trekking trails dry and passable, making chimpanzee trekking easier than during the rainy season, when they are muddy and slippery, making it more difficult.
What should I bring on my Ugandan chimpanzee trekking safari?
Hiking shoes, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, insect repellent, a waterproof rain jacket, garden gloves, a camera and extra batteries, long socks, face masks, energy snacks and drinking water, a walking stick, a hat and sunglasses, a warm sweater, and a backpack are some of the things you should bring with you on your chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda.
