Uganda chimpanzee trekking – Chimpanzee trekking safaris in Kibale forest National park – Budget safaris to see Chimpanzees in Uganda – Chimpanzee trekking permits booking.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda: Uganda’s ideal climate and strategic location on the western arm of the East African Rift Valley have encouraged the rapid growth of rain forests, which are undoubtedly the best chimpanzee habitats in Africa.

Things to consider before making a reservation for a chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda.
When to visit Uganda to see chimpanzees
Although chimpanzees may be tracked all year round, the wet season is the greatest time to spot them. The chimps have to travel significantly less in search of enough food, even though the rain tends to make the journey less enjoyable. This is because there is an abundance of food and water.

Because of this, tracking chimpanzees is most successful during the rainy seasons. The length of the rainy season varies depending on the nation you are in. Uganda: March through May and September through November are the wet seasons.

Health and Fitness
It is impossible to estimate how long you will have to hike before coming across a family of chimpanzees. It just takes 40 minutes for some hikers to encounter gorillas, whereas it can take up to seven hours for others.

It is advised that all hikers be in good physical and mental health as a result.

Since many infections that affect humans can also infect chimpanzees, you won’t be allowed to go on a chimpanzee trip if you’re ill.

Guidelines and policies
Chimpanzees are wild animals even if they occasionally behave and seem like humans. To protect both themselves and the animals, chimpanzee trekkers must abide by the guidelines listed below.

You are required to follow your guide’s directions at all times. Your guide will advise you on safe places to stand because they are highly familiar with the gorillas.
Maintaining a minimum of 8 meters of space between you and the chimpanzees is crucial.
Avoid eating in the chimpanzee’s vicinity.
It is not permitted to take flash photos.
Spending over an hour with a group of chimpanzees is not permitted.
Chimpanzees need a lot of space to roam around. Avoid cornering them.
Chimpanzee trekkers under the age of twelve are not allowed to go.
We can’t promise you’ll see them because they are wild creatures. We cannot issue refunds if you fail to locate the animals, even though most parties do come across a family group. The park receives the money in exchange for continuing its conservation efforts.

What to wear on a vacation to Uganda to go chimpanzee trekking
It’s crucial to wear comfortable, proper clothing for the difficult trip into the rainforest to see the chimpanzees.

You should wear long sleeves, pants, and a decent pair of lightweight hiking boots to protect yourself from scratches because of the harsh terrain you’ll be traveling through. Protective gloves are optional, however you might want to wear them.

It’s also a good idea to pack a light jumper and a lightweight, breathable rain jacket or poncho because daytime temperatures might vary significantly.

Additionally, you should pack a small backpack to hold your lunch, drink, spare clothing, and photography supplies.

You should dress comfortably and in neutral colors for your excursion.

What to pack

Apart from the previously stated warm clothes and rain gear, there are several additional useful items that we advise you to pack for your gorilla safari.

The items on the packing list below are largely the same as those you would need for a standard game drive safari.

A lightweight fleece or warm jumper; A backpack;
a waterproof jacket or windbreaker;
boots or walking shoes;
pants and a formal shirt with extended sleeves;
sunglasses;
hat; lip balm and sunscreen;
insect deterrent
Eyepiece; Binoculars;
batteries and/or a camera charger;
A headlight or flashlight, reference materials, a phone, and a charger.
Top chimpanzee trekking locations in Uganda
National Park of Kibale Forest
Dimensions: 795 km³

Kibale is located at the northernmost point of the park, 1,590 meters above sea level. The Albertine Rift Valley floor, to the south, is the lowest point at 1,100 meters.

In the park, there are 351 known kinds of trees, some of which can reach heights of 55 meters and 200 years or more.

Kibale’s diverse height supports a variety of habitat types, from savanna and woodland on the floor of the rift valley to wet tropical forest on the Fort Portal plateau.
Kibale is a premier research facility in Africa. While chimpanzees are the subject of much research, other subjects being studied include fish species, wild pigs, and the ecosystems of Kibale.

One of Uganda’s most beautiful and diverse areas of tropical forest is found at Kibale National Park. Situated on an elevated plateau, the northern and center regions of the park are primarily covered in forest, with swaths of grassland and wetland.

Famous for his chimpanzee tracking, Kibale

Seventy mammal species can be found in the park, the most well-known of which are 13 kinds of primates, which include chimpanzees. It also has more than 375 different bird species.

George Chamboura Chimpanzee

Beyond just seeing chimpanzees in their natural habitat, the Kyambura Gorge experience educates guests about the ecosystems of the atmospheric “underground” rainforest in the Gorge, including the sorts of vegetation, how to identify and interact with birds, and the ecology of chimpanzees and monkeys.

Due to their accustomed state, visitors have a fair possibility of hearing and seeing our distant cousins, yet sightings are not guaranteed. Daily tours begin at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. and run one to three hours.

The Buondo Forest in the Congo

Budongo Forest is located on the route to the well-known Murchison Falls National Park, about three hours’ drive northwest of Kampala, the country’s capital. The largest chimpanzee habitat in Uganda is found in this mahogany forest, which is the largest in all of East Africa.

The main tourist destinations in this forest are the Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism Site, Busingiro Ecotourism Site, and Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism Site. These locations are surrounded by ironwood and mahogany trees and are situated at the borders of Murchison Falls National Park.

This 115 km stretch is a secluded section of the Budongo forest. Occasionally, the safety of Buffaloes, Lions, and Leopards is provided by its solitude. The best time to go on a trip is early in the morning, when you can possibly spot some of the forest’s inhabitants licking salt beside the glades. The River Waiga provides hydration for the different kinds of fauna in this woodland.

The reserve of Kalinzu Forest

The Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve is located closer to Maramagambo Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kalinzu Forest Reserve is home to a wide variety of animal species, including over 200 butterfly species and 379 different species of birds.

The Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve in Uganda is home to six different species of primates, including the chimpanzee, which is the most popular species for tourists to see while on chimpanzee trekking. The forest reserve is ranked second in the world for chimp trekking, only surpassed by the Kibale forest, which is home to chimpanzees.

Other creatures that can be spotted wandering the forest include baboons, blue, red-tailed, L’Hoest’s, vervet, and black and white Colobus monkeys. Additionally, the woodland is home to nocturnal creatures including Galagos, Pottos, and bush babies.

The 414 tree species, 98 insect species, flowers, and reptiles are all found in the forest reserve. Large species of animals, including lions, wild pigs, antelopes, leopards, buffaloes, and others, live in the park due to its close proximity to two major wildlife conservation areas. During game drives, visitors can get up close and personal views of many animal species.

Chimpanzee sanctuary on Nambá Island

49 orphaned chimpanzees that were rescued from all over East Africa now call Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which is surrounded by the tranquil waters of Lake Victoria, home. All operations of the sanctuary are managed by the non-governmental organization Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (Chimpanzee Trust). With a strong dedication to and involvement in community education and field conservation, we work

closely with the wildlife authorities and the government of Uganda. We give half-day and full-day trips to the sanctuary, as well as overnight stays at Ngamba Eco Lodge. This offers a remarkable chance to get up close and personal with these amazing great apes in our special environment.

How much does it cost to track chimpanzees in Uganda?

As of the most recent pricing, chimpanzee treks in Kibale Forest cost $250, treks in Budongo Forest and Kyambura Gorge cost $100, and treks in Kalinzu cost roughly $130.

For precise pricing, it is advised to get in touch with the tour operator prior to making a reservation, as these rates are subject to frequent fluctuations.

Reaching chimpanzee habitats via air
The main airport in Entebbe is the gateway to the majority of Uganda’s rain forests. 1 hour to 1.5 hour flights can be planned or chartered, but clients must still arrange for a transfer to the lodge and the chimpanzee briefing center.

Get in touch with Monumental Expeditions and Safaris to learn more.

BY ROAD: Although it is possible to reach Ugandan by road, customers are urged to reserve four-wheel drive (4X4) safari cars because the terrain can become slick during the rainy season owing to unpredictable weather.

BY BOAT: Ngamba Island, also known as Chimpanzee Island, is mostly reachable by boat. It is situated 23 kilometers south of Entebbe, and visitors have the option of using a speed boat or a traditional canoe boat.

How can a chimpanzee tour be scheduled?

The government of Uganda has not mandated that any tour operator sell chimpanzee licenses.

Customers can book permits from Uganda’s wildlife authority and national forestry authority with the assistance of registered tour companies like Monumental Expeditions and Safaris.

How challenging is trekking with chimpanzees?

Since most of the rain forests where chimpanzees reside are found in lower elevations, traveling with them is quite simple.

However, since these are wild creatures that occasionally may move a lot, an individual level of fitness is necessary.