Chimpanzee trekking is an experience or an activity where tourists visit chimpanzees in their natural habitat and spend an hour in their presence with the guidance of the park ranger guide. This experience is done in two shifts that is the morning and afternoon. Once the chimpanzees are located, watch them as they go by with their daily chores and roam around playing, feeding, breastfeeding, fighting, grooming young ones, rest, and many more.
In Uganda, there are different points to track chimpanzees and the major one is Kibale National Park. Others are Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest, Bugoma Forest Reserve, and Kalinzu Forest Reserve in Rubirizi district.
Kalinzu Forest Reserve is well known for homing the chimpanzees with other wildlife including birds and other small mammals. Chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu forest is becoming a popular activity for wildlife seekers and adventure enthusiasts. This forest is home to about 70 habituated individuals who are used to human presence and this makes it easier for visitors to observe them. During trekking, expect to meet black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, L’hoest monkeys, and many more others.
Visitors interested in trekking chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest need to book the permits in advance through us or the Uganda Wildlife Authority online page. The permits are cheaper compared to those of Kibale National Park. We normally combine our safaris to Kalinzu Forest Reserve with game drives in Kasenyi plains and boat cruises on the Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park since their near each other.
This gives a highlight of primate and Wildlife adventure. The cost of a chimpanzee permit per person is USD 50 for foreign non-residents, USD 40 for foreign residents, and UGX 30,000 for East African residents. The rate varies depending on various conditions. This means that you need to keep checking with us or the Uganda Wildlife Authority website.
Apart from chimpanzee tracking, Kalinzu forest offers other wide range of activities such as bird watching where birds like the African Emerald Cuckoo, Alpine Swift, Green Breasted Pitta, African Broadbill, Yellow Billed Barbet, Black Bee-eater, Red-faced Cisticola, Barn Swallow, and more and nature walks. This forest is under the management of the National Forestry Authority.
What to bring for trekking chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest?
Visitors are advised to carry on their comfortable hiking shoes or boots and long-sleeved shirts to prevent injuries and bring a rain jacket. This is because it protects you from direct rain as Ugandan weather is unpredictable. Carry enough water and energy snacks to keep you strong on the trek, a pair of Binoculars and a camera are very important on the trek to magnify distant attractions and capture memories respectively. Additionally, sunscreen is important to protect you from direct sunlight to the skin, Insect repellants protect you from insect bites, so carry along extra money for tips, and buy handmade crafts.
Best time to trek chimpanzee in Kalinzu forest
Any time of the year can be used to trek the chimpanzees in this great forest and the best time remains the dry season. It occurs from December to February and June to September when the trails are dry and more accessible. The dry season also presents more chances of spotting the chimpanzees active compared to the rainy season which occurs in March to May and September to October.
On the side of health precautions, visitors are advised to visit this reserve when they are free from contagious diseases like flu, diarrhea, cough, and more. Visitors are advised to be physically fit since trails tend to be challenging and adventurous. Visitors are to get vaccinated to possess all the cards such as the yellow fever card and more.
As you plan for your chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda, don’t fail to contact us today because we are ready to plan the best chimpanzee safari of your lifetime.