Best place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda/Best place to trek chimps in Uganda/Chimpanzee trekking safaris
Many travellers come for primate tours in Uganda because of its rain forests are home to different primate species that include mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and chimpanzee and so on. The country has about 1500 chimpanzees in different forests. Chimpanzees, man’s closest cousin can be seen during chimpanzee trekking and habituation in different places as discussed below
Kibale National Park- The Best Place for Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Kibale National park is the best place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. It is a lowland tropical rainforest located in Western Uganda, about 6 hours from Kampala.
Kibale National park is also nick named as the primate capital of the world due to the biggest number of primate species (13 primate species). The chimpanzees trekked each day in the morning and in the evening are habituated and open for tourists. The chimpanzees are comfortable with human presence. Each traveller interested in chimpanzee trekking has to pay 150 US dollars for the permit, and gives you one hour with the family of chimpanzees once you meet them. The permit includes guide’s fees and park entry fees into the forest. Kibale National park remains the best place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. This is because the number of chimpanzees in the forest is many, the permit is affordable and it is conveniently located from Kampala and other national parks. Apart from chimpanzees, the forest is home to forest elephants, buffalo and a variety of bird species
Budongo Forest- Another best place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.
Budongo forest is part of Murchison Falls National park and it is located in the Northern part of Uganda. The forest is home to the biggest number of wildl chimpanzees. Visitors interested in chimpanzee trekking in Budongo are allowed to trek them at a fee of 90 US dollars. The trekking takes place in Kanio Pabidi which has the habituated chimpanzees. Budongo forest ranks number two after Kibale National park as the best place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.
A chimpanzee trek in Budongo forest for chimpanzee trekking can be combined with a wildlife and boat safari in Murchison Falls National park and en-route rhino tracking at Zimwa Rhino Sanctuary. There is only one lodge in Budongo forest- Budongo eco lodge which is a budget lodge but one can stay in Masindi town and or in Murchison Falls National park and still be able to trek chimps.
Kyambura Gorge.
The third best place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is the Kyambura Gorge. Kyambura Gorge is located in Western Uganda in Queen Elizabeth National park. There are eight habituated chimpanzees which can be seen during trekking through the beautiful gorge, steep gorge. The chance of seeing chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge is 50/50 but even though you miss seeing them, the walk through the gorge is so beautiful. Only eight people are allowed to trek the chimpanzees either in the morning or in the night. You need a permit which costs 50 US dollars.
Kalinzu Forest.
Kalinzu forest is located about 2 hours from Queen Elizabeth National park. It is also another best place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda with a family of habituated chimpanzees. The chimpanzee trekking permit here cost 40 US dollars per person. Chimpanzee trekking takes place in the morning or in the afternoon. The forest is managed by Uganda forestry Authority. It is a beautiful forest with lots of birds, waterfalls, other monkeys and butterflies
Best Time for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking takes place from rain forests and can be done throughout the year. The green months of March-May and November are wet but food for the chimpanzees is in plenty and they do not move far, the dry months of June-Oct and December to March, the forests are less dark and not muddy. It should be noted however, that it can rain anytime of the year
The most important decision to make is book your chimpanzee trekking safari.
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