Chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee trekking is one of the great and extremely interesting activities that are enjoyed in the various destinations of Uganda. The activity is one of the favorite adventures to all travelers that come to Africa just like gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest national park. Chimpanzees are primate animals that are found in the tropical rainforests of the different destinations of Uganda. Chimpanzees in the forest live together in groups or communities of about 4-30 members, they are found of meandering around the forest from one place to another so as to look for food.Chimpanzees feed on forest fruits and leaves, insects, small animals and monkeys, unlike the gorillas that are vegetarians, chimpanzees are omnivorous, they therefore feed on meat and plants fruits, flowers and leaves.

Where to enjoy chimpanzee trekking in Uganda?

According to the recent statics there is about 5000 chimpanzee population that is remaining in Uganda designated forests. Chimpanzees in Uganda are situated in different locations of the country such as kibale forest national park, kalinzu forest, kyambura gorge, budongo forest, Ngamba Island, Toro-semiliki wildlife reserve.

Chimpanzee trekking experience in kibale forest national park.

This is the best and famous destinations for chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda that is why its trekking permit is higher compared to the other destinations. Kibale forest national park is situated in western region of Uganda in fort portal and it has the largest huge population of chimpanzees with about 15 habituated families that are open for tourism.

Kibale forest national park is the only destination in Uganda that travelers can enjoy chimpanzee habituation experience unlike other places. Chimpanzee habituation in kibale forest national park is the process where wild chimpanzees are trained to get used to presence of human beings before they are declared for trekking.  This allows a maximum of 4 travelers to join researches and park ranger guides and the habituation permit allows travelers to spend a maximum of four hours with chimpanzee community during the process of habituation.

The chimpanzee trekking permit in kibale forest national park costs 150 USD and travelers are allowed to spend a maximum of one hour with the chimpanzee community in the jungle while as the habituation permit costs 220 USD per person per day.

Chimpanzee trekking in kibale forest national park is done into two sessions, the morning session that starts at 8 pm as well as the afternoon session that begins at pm. Each session of trekking starts with briefing at the park headquarter offices where you are told about the dos and don’ts as you chimpanzee trekking adventure in the jungle.

 Kalinzu forest

Kalinzu forest is the second best destination for chimpanzee trekking safaris after kibale forest national park. Kalinzu forest reserve is a tropical rain forest that is situated in south western part of Uganda in Bushenyi district. The forest borders Queen Elizabeth national park which is the second largest national park in Uganda. Kalinzu forest is harbors about 320 chimpanzees population and is a home to about 70 habituated chimpanzees ready for tourism. Chimpanzee trekking in kalinzu forest takes about 3 -4 hours to locate a gorilla family due to the steep slopes of the rolling hills of the forest and it trekking takes places in two sessions both in the morning and in the afternoon but it is best enjoyed in the morning hours during the dry season.

Chimpanzee trekking experience in kalinzu forest costs 40 USD per person per day therefore it one of the best alternative for budget travelers and although it is the second best destination for chimpanzee trekking safaris, there is chimpanzee habituation experience, the habituation is only done in kibale forest national park.

Chimpanzee trekking experience as such an amazing and great adventure in kalinzu forest as it gives travelers an opportunity to enjoy viewing other wildlife animals such as the huge forest hogs, the elephants, the buffaloes, Uganda kobs, black and white colobus monkeys, and the grey checked mangabey among others. Some of these animals come from Queen Elizabeth national park since kalinzu forest reserve is near and so close to the park. On this note chimpanzee trekking in kalinzu can be customizes together with wildlife safaris in queen Elisabeth national park.

Chimpanzees in budongo forest national park

Budongo is situated in Murchison falls national park which is the oldest and largest national park that is located in north western part of Uganda. Budongo is a tropical rainforest habitat of about 700 chimpanzees with about 6 habituated families that are open for tourism throughout the year. Just like other forest with the chimpanzees, trekking experience is done in two sessions, the morning session and afternoon session.

Chimpanzee trekking in budongo forest costs 90 dollars per person and it will take travelers about three hours to meet a chimpanzee community due to the fact that they keep moving from destination to another depending looking for food in the forest.

Chimpanzee trekking safaris in budongo forest gives you an opportunity to enjoy wildlife safaris in Murchison falls national park that is full of wildlife wonders that are found in the south and northern sectors of the park thus giving you unforgettable take home experiences in jungle.

Chimpanzees in kyambura gorge

Kyambura gorge is part of Queen Elizabeth national park that is famous for chimpanzee trekking experiences.  It is a tropical rainforest that is located in the north eastern region of the park and it is the best alternative for all travelers who visit Queen Elizabeth national park and would like to participate in the chimpanzee trekking experience due to the fact that it is the closest with in the park compared to other destinations.

Chimpanzee trekking permit in kyambura costs 50 USD per person per day, it is more affordable compared to other destinations like kibale forest national park that costs 150 USD per person per day.  Chimpanzee trekking in kyambura can be combined together with Uganda wildlife safaris in queen Elizabeth national park since it is situated within the park.

Toro-Semiliki wildlife reserve, this is one of the chimpanzee trekking destinations that is located in western Uganda between Kabarole and Ntoroko districts. Chimpanzee trekking in semiliki wildlife reserve is done both in the morning and evening hours but the best time to enjoy the trekking is during the morning hours.

Chimpanzees in Ngamba Island

Ngamba Island is chimpanzee sanctuary that is owned by a local and international organization that volunteered to protect and conserve the orphan chimpanzees that have been rescued from the poacher. Ngamba Island does not require trekking just as it is in other forests that have the chimpanzees. Visitors have a viewing platform where they can view the chimpanzees in the forest sanctuary thus there is no need of walking in the forest to look for these chimpanzees.

When to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking is best enjoyed during the dry season not ground of the tropical rainforest is not so muddy and slippery thus it is easy to walk through as travelers trek the chimpanzees. The dry season is during the months of December to February, June to October when is less rain that is expected to destruct your chimpanzee trekking experience.