What is the process for trekking chimpanzees in Uganda?
Overview
In Uganda, chimpanzee trekking is an amazing activity that is the second most popular activity after gorilla trekking. It entails entering the tropical jungle to find habituated chimpanzees and spending an hour with them in their natural environment. The Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, and Kibale Forest National Park which is home to the greatest number of chimpanzees are among the locations in Uganda where chimpanzee trekking is conducted.
Trekking with chimpanzees in Uganda transports you to the gem of Africa for a remarkable experience with the closest relative of humans. Chimpanzees are members of the big ape family, which also includes orangutans and gorillas. They have big brains, are highly intelligent, and have a remarkable capacity for learning new things because of their close kinship with humans. Based on their distinct diets and habitats, studies conducted by renowned primatologists like Jane Goodall have even shown distinct cultures within various communities.
Experience trekking with chimpanzees
At the park headquarters, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda begins early in the morning with a briefing on the rules and regulations to be followed. Following the lecture, a knowledgeable park guide who is familiar with chimpanzee trekking routes will lead you on your forest trip.
Because chimpanzees prefer to roam about in search of food, trekking with them in Uganda might take anywhere from thirty minutes to four hours, depending on the location. You can see several primate species while trekking, including red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, black and white colobus monkeys, l'hoest monkeys, and various bird species. After locating the chimpanzees, you will get the opportunity to spend an hour with them in their natural environment, where you may see them feeding, hunting, fighting, resting, playing, mating, taking pictures, and recording movies.
The price of a Ugandan chimpanzee hiking permit
Any visitor over the age of 15 who wants to visit a habituated gorilla family in either Kibale Forest National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, or Budongo Forest is granted a chimpanzee trekking permit, which is a legal card that allows them to spend an hour with the chimpanzees in their natural environment. The price of a Ugandan chimpanzee trekking permit varies depending on where you want to go.
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 Kyambura Gorge Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kalinzu Forest is 30,000 UGX per person for East African citizens, 50 USD per person for foreign non-residents, and 50 USD per person for foreign residents.
During the peak season, chimpanzee trekking permits in Budongo Forest cost 130 USD per person for non-resident foreigners, 120 USD per person for residents, and 85 USD per person for East African citizens. In the off-peak season, chimpanzee trekking permits cost 120 USD per person for non-resident foreigners, 110 USD per person for residents, and 80 USD per person for East African citizens.
How to reserve permits for chimpanzee hiking in Uganda
You can make a direct reservation for chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda by calling or emailing the Uganda Wildlife Authority's head office. Another option is to reserve chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda by contacting a reputable tour operator, such as Achieve Global Safaris, and providing the dates, months, year, and chimpanzee destination you want to visit. After getting in touch with us, we will verify whether permits are available on the dates you have selected. If they are, you will be required to pay a deposit. We will buy the chimpanzee trekking permits on your behalf as soon as we have the funds.
The ideal time of year to visit Uganda for a chimpanzee trekking safari
Although chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is possible at any time of year, the best time to go is during the dry season, which is also referred to as the peak season and lasts from June to February. In contrast to the wet/rainy season, when the routes are muddy and slippery, making trekking challenging, access roads and chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and practicable during the dry season because there is little or no rainfall in the chimpanzee destinations.
Guidelines, prerequisites, and policies for hiking chimpanzees in Uganda
There are guidelines for tracking chimpanzees, just like for mountain gorillas. You must be aware of the following.
Plan for your chimpanzee permit, particularly during the busiest times of the year.
Chimpanzee tracking is prohibited for children.
When tracking chimpanzees, avoid leaving rubbish in the jungle.
Tracking chimpanzees when ill with the flu or diarrhea is not advised. Human diseases can affect chimps.
When you are close to the chimpanzees, keep approximately 8 meters.
Avoid eating near the chimpanzees. They might come and brutally take it away from you.
Avoid making fun of chimpanzees, talking loudly, or attempting to frighten or provoke them.
Flash photography is not permitted.
Always observe the forest guides’ recommendations.
Prior to going trekking, try to use the restroom.
Tracking should never be done without a guide.
It is not permitted to smoke when tracking chimps.
A chimpanzee colony can only be tracked by a certain number of persons in a single day.
Tools and apparatus for tracking chimpanzees in Uganda
To ensure a stress-free, enjoyable, and unforgettable experience, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda necessitates meticulous preparation in advance with your tour operator. In order to achieve this, you should consider bringing the following:
Appropriate footwear: shoes with adequate traction that are ideal for negotiating hilly and muddy terrain.
The appropriate attire: Long sleeves that can shield you from jagged brush. Keep a rain jacket on hand in case of unexpected weather.
A packed food and water are essential in case you become thirsty or hungry while traveling.
Binoculars: Some details are important to pay attention to. These powerful apes like swinging from one tree to another.
Repellent for insects: Included.
Camera and additional batteries: Because chimpanzees live in dense forests and move quickly, taking pictures of them requires some planning. Since the chimps reside in tall trees, bring a decent camera with crisp optics. Flash photography is not allowed.
Binoculars: To see the lovely birds and chimps perched atop the trees.
Walking stick: Using a walking stick will enable you to go smoothly over uneven and hilly terrain.
Porters: Many parks and reserves have porters for hire who can assist with carrying bulky items and baggage so you can focus on keeping an eye out for chimps and other wildlife.
For more information or to reserve an inexpensive chimpanzee trekking package, visit our website or get in touch with Beyond Travel Africa. Chimpanzee trekking is an amazing adventure that you shouldn't miss while on safari in Uganda.