Chimpanzee trekking Safari Destinations in Uganda : Chimpanzee trekking means making movements in the forest in search for Habituated chimpanzees in the forest also referred as Chimpanzee trekking or tracking According to the several destinations for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda its ranked and proven to be the best destination for sighting chimpanzee, according to Uganda wildlife authority the board in charge of managing all the National parks and reserves in Uganda, its confirms that there are several destinations in Uganda for chimpanzee trekking and therefore gazetted them as conservation areas so its a great deal in deciding where to go for chimpanzee trekking tours. After you found the chimpanzee, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat.
For someone to be allowed to engage in a Chimpanzee trekking activity, a trekking permit is a top requirement which the UWA (Uganda wildlife authority) offers to both locals and foreigners who are interested in chimpanzee trekking at a certain cost which can be different for foreigners and locals accordingly, however these permits can also so be offered from your tour operator who book the from UWA and offer them to their clients
Safari destinations in Uganda where you can go for chimpanzee trekking
There are several destinations for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda where on can carry on with this amazing and rewarding activity for chimpanzee trekking tours and chimpanzee trekking are ranked to be the most amazing and majestic visited primates in Uganda, they proven to be the best and famously visited all year round and are never missed if your having a safari to Uganda. but remember in each of the following destinations you need a chimpanzee permit to trek the habituated chimpanzees so you need to book those permits before to make it earlier so that you get best dates which may include dry season dates which are recommended as the best time to trek this habituated chimpanzee. The following are some of the destinations where chimpanzee trekking can be carried out in Uganda:
Kibale forest National Park Chimpanzee trekking
Kibale forest national park is located the western region of Uganda in Kabarole district Kibale forest national is a home to over 1,500 chimpanzees ranking it has one of the best national parks for chimpanzee trekking safaris in Uganda.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park can be done in two sessions that is the morning session which starts at 8:00am and afternoon session start at 2:00pm depending on the preferences of the visitors or tourists.
Before embarking on a chimpanzee trek begins with abriefing at the park headquarters about the rules and the regulations to followed while in the tropical for in search for the habituated chimpanzees.
Aside from the chimpanzee trekking, the park also offers a chimpanzee habituation experience which is not too different from the usual trekking, but the habituation includes making the chimpanzees used to the seeing humans while the trekking is done on already habituated chimpanzees.
Kalinzu forest/ Chimpanzee trekking
Kalinzu is another exciting chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda located in Bushenyi district in eastern part of Queen Elizabeth national park. Kalinzu forest is a home to amazing chimpanzees which happens to be the main safari attraction.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest, is also done in two sessions, morning and afternoon. Therefore, the permits are booked according to the preferences of the visitors who wants to trek and the availability of these great primates, Kalinzu Forest is a good option for primate safari experience in Uganda.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura gorge is also located in Queen Elizabeth National Park and has a few habituated chimpanzees living in the forest from where you are also able to do chimpanzee trekking. Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura starts by 8:00am with the briefing at the park headquarters by an expert guide.
Budongo forest/ Chimpanzee trekking
Budongo forest is lies in famous Murchison Falls National Park, renowned as the largest national park in Uganda with a diverse wildlife also famously known to be the home to the four of the big five game and not to mention the might powerful Murchison falls.
Besides the mammals, the park is also a home to several primate species. Chimpanzees are the major attractions in Budongo, Chimpanzee trekking starts early morning with the briefing at 8:00am on the rules and regulations of chimpanzee trekking in the Budongo forest.
Chimpanzee trekking experience
Depending on the time you will visit the park, you will be required to wake up early and make a way to the park headquarters to be briefed by experts and be aware about the activity and be informed about the rules and regulations of the park or reserve and a few things to be done by 8:0am .for tracking the chimps, these rules go to be the same as the ones for gorilla trekking and other animals among the rules of trekking we can mention not making noise while your trekking and other much more.
After the trekking, you will be led by experienced ranger guide in to the forest to begin your search for the habituated chimps. The exercise takes about 1-6 hours depending on the location of the chimps since they move from place to place in search for food.
As you’re on the move in search of chimpanzees you have an opportunity to come across other primates in the park or reserve and also sight the most scenic and beautiful views of the pearl of Africa (Uganda).
Once you have found the chimps, you will be allowed one hour to observe them, watch them play, groom young ones, feed, making nests among other daily activities. you will also capture those epic moments, record videos, for your memories with your closest relatives- (note, no flash lights are allowed).
Best time to go on a chimpanzee trekking in Safari Destinations of Uganda
According to the seasons in Uganda the best time to visit the parks and reserves for chimpanzee trekking is during the dry season when there is no rain or when it’s less raining which can be from June to September, and December to January throughout February.
During these periods, the park trails are dry and the roads are easy compared to when it’s raining, it’s much easier to trek, hike the forest in search for the chimps. Compared to the dry season when the ground is muddy and slippery causing difficult and delays during the activities.
However, Chimpanzee trekking can be done all year around in all these national parks and reserves since are always open to welcome visitors and tourists and the chimpanzee trekking is done on daily basis through out the year.
