Chimpanzee trekking is one of the most popular wildlife activities in Uganda, allows you to step into the world of chimpanzees in the wild. Uganda Wildlife Authority Interpretive Rangers lead a small group into the realm of the chimps.
The treks last about three hours and include a maximum of one hour with the chimps, during which you can expect to see them from a safe but intimate distance of 8-10 metres. Get up close and personal with the chimpanzees and discover their beauty, intelligence, and social structures.
Chimpanzee habituation
Chimpanzee habituation is a fully immersive experience often done by travelers taking safaris in Uganda. You can join the researchers of the habituation team for a half day excursion deep into the forest. These chimps are less used to human presence and so the experience is more unpredictable. Whilst it can be challenging to follow the lead of these agile primates, the experience is thoroughly rewarding.
The main difference between the standard chimp treks and the habituation experience is how long you spend with the chimps. The habituation experience allows you to spend much longer in the company of the chimps.
What is the cost of a chimpanzee permit in Uganda
The cost of a chimpanzee permit in Uganda varies depending on the park, the type of experience which can be trekking or habituation, and the visitor’s nationality. For instance, in Kibale National Park, a chimpanzee trekking permit costs 250USD for foreign non-residents, 200USD for foreign residents, and 180,000 Ugandan Shillings for East African citizens. Chimpanzee habituation permits in Kibale are more expensive, with foreign non-residents paying 300USD and East African citizens paying 250,000 Ugandan shillings.
A chimpanzee tracking permit in Kalinzu forest costs 130USD which includes the entry fees. The chimpanzee permit in Budongo forest costs 130USD for the foregin non-resident, 120USD for the foregin resident and 85USD for the East African residents.
Where to do Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Kibale National Park is the primate capital of the world offering a large chimpanzee population with over 120 habituated chimps and 1400 in the forest. The success rate of locating chimps while trekking is about 95%. There are opportunities for Chimpanzee trekking twice each day – morning session starts at 7 am and afternoon at 12 pm with as many as 6 groups tracking each day each with 6 individuals. The forest is home to about 13 different primates including; black & white colobus, red-tailed monkey, red colobus monkeys, baboons.
Kalinzu forest has about 40 Chimps habituated for visitors but the forest is home to over 300 individuals. The rate of Chimps sighting while on a trek is about 60% but the forest has a lot to offer in addition to the chimpanzee trekking. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and flowing streams while on this chimpanzee trekking safari. This trek is usually long and therefore requires one to be with good fitness levels.
Budongo forest at the Kaniyo Pabidi section in Murchison falls national park offers a rewarding chimp trekking experience. The forest boasts of the largest population of Chimpanzees but only a few are habituated for tourism. Unlike Kibale where you need to book permits earlier, at Kaniyo Pabidi, you can inform the park rangers the day before your chimp trek.
Kyambura gorge is a remarkable underground forest in the middle of the famous Queen Elizabeth national park. The forest has few chimpanzees that are sometimes difficult to spot but the forest walk is rewarding and the views of the gorge from a look out are priceless. There are chances for one to come across Hippos and elephants as they look out for Chimps; and on rare occasions you could spot lions.
For those with limited time you can visit Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary for an up-close experience with Chimpanzees. The sanctuary is 45 minutes from the Entebbe pier on Lake Victoria on a speed boat and 1.5 hours on a motorized traditional canoe.
What is the age limit for chimpanzee tracking?
The minimum age to participate in chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is 12 years old. This age restriction is enforced by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The UWA is responsible for managing all national parks in Uganda, including those where chimpanzee tracking is offered, such as Kibale Forest National Park. The children below the age of 12 years are considered minors and are not allowed to trek the chimpanzees in Kibale National Park and all chimpanzee destinations in Uganda.
How difficult is chimpanzee trekking in Uganda?
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda requires a moderate level of physical fitness since treks are around three hours long. Unlike gorillas, chimpanzees typically live at low altitudes and the gentle terrain will allow you to focus your attention on the chimpanzees. However, chimpanzees are highly active and can dart through the forest. You should be comfortable with moving quickly at short notice to keep up with them.
The trek will mainly follow forest trails, but you should be prepared to traverse the undergrowth if the chimpanzees are located away from the trails. During the rainy season, the trails will be more slippery, and the forest will be denser. This will increase the difficulty of the trek.
The best time to go chimpanzee trekking
The best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is during the dry seasons of June to September and December to February. Uganda is a year-round destination. Its equatorial climate means that temperatures are consistent throughout the year. Uganda’s seasons are separated by varying levels of rainfall. March to May is the long rainy season, and October to November is the short rainy season.
Trekking conditions are easiest during the dry seasons of June to September and December to February. The clear, sunny weather should make your trek more enjoyable, but downpours are still possible due to Uganda’s tropical climate.
Uganda’s peak tourist season is June to September and the cost of accommodation is raised to meet the increase in demand. If you are comfortable with difficult trekking conditions, visiting during the rainy seasons can reduce the cost of your trip.
Gear and equipment for chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda requires careful planning with your tour company beforehand in order to make it a comfortable, memorable and stress-free event. To that end, you will need to think about bringing along the following, Suitable Shoes, the right clothing, long sleeved clothes, Packed snack and drinking water, Binoculars, Insect repellent, Camera and extra batteries, Walking stick, Porters.
