Chimpanzee Safaris in Uganda
Chimpanzee Safaris in Uganda; Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is best done in Kibale Forest National Park and the walks starts on from the Kanyunchu visitor center at 8:00 & 15:00 and can last 2 to 3 hours. Fact, chimpanzees are the second most sought primate after Mountain gorillas by visitors who visit Uganda Primate Safaris, but you can have high chance to look out for the black and white colobus, Red tailed monkey or the grey cheeked mangabey among others. Along your hike in forest trails will be able to spot other species like pittas and different notable bird species and since you do it with the guides will give details about various plant species within the forest.
Chimpanzee tracking activity allows only 6 people per group on particular day. Note this, you’re advised to book your permit in advance especially in peak season -happens from June to September and December to February.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the best safari experience most of tourists are sought who visit Uganda Safaris. Just like Gorilla Trekking, which involves trekking through the forest in search of the chimpanzee that keep on swinging from one tree branch to the next.
Trekking experience might take a few hours or less but once you get to the chimpanzees, you allowed one hour with them before trekking back to the camp.
Uganda has got several chimpanzee destinations and each one of these has a group of chimpanzees that you can trek. Although the best place to go for Chimpanzee trekking among others is Kibale Forest National Park reason being it host wide population of chimpanzees with more than 1,500 individuals. Other destinations to visit or see chimps includes; the Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park Uganda’s oldest and largest game park located in northwestern region, estimates 5 to 6 hours drive from Kampala or Entebbe, Kyambura Gorge in the Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda’s second largest national park -home to diversity of wildlife and host tree climbing lions among others, Kalunzi forest located next to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Bushenyi and Semuliki wildlife reserve.
Fact, Chimpanzee trekking -tracking starts early in the morning and every trek begins with the tour guides thus giving visitors the guidelines and rules that should be followed. While trekking, expect to see other primates and wildlife like the red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and variety of beautiful bird species among others.
Chimpanzee Trekking permit;
A chimp permit is a ticket that allows you access to the chimpanzee’s natural inhabits. They are processed by the ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority a body in charge of all Uganda’s National Parks and Reserve. Still, they can be obtained direct to Uganda Wildlife Authority offices or by help of trustworthy of tour operator. Just like the Gorilla trekking permits, limited permits are printed per day and these are only valid for the date that they have been printed.
The reason as to why UWA issues limited permits to reduce the interaction between the Chimpanzee and humans to conserve them. The chimps are prone to disease and that is why interaction is limited.
How to Obtain Chimpanzee Trek Permit in Uganda?
The best way to get a chimpanzee trek permit is by booking through a reliable tour operator -local tour operators who know more about the process of booking and other related costs. It is better to let them take up the planning process of reserving your chimp permit, accommodation and transportation.
Once the tour operator make payments of the chimp permits at the Uganda Wildlife Authority, he will send you scanned copy via email with details on when you are to trek, the time, your name, passport details and the serial number that makes it rare from the rest.
Note; These permits cannot be interchanged or money for the permit to be refunded -so you need to do it with care.
What is Cost of the Chimpanzee Trekking Permit?
The cost of Uganda chimpanzee trekking permit varies according to the season. Weather low season or peak seasons, there is no discount on chimp permits.
Kibale Chimpanzee trekking permit goes USD200 for non-foreigner and USD150 for foreigner resident per day person.
Kibale habituation permit costs USD250 for non-foreigner and USD200 for foreigner resident.
Chimpanzee permit in Budongo goes at USD90 per person per day.
Chimpanzee permit in Kyambura gorge goes for USD50 per person.
Chimpanzee Trekking in the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary;
Ngamba Island lies along Lake Victoria and can easily reached by a speed boat from Entebbe is one of the places where you can enjoy chimpanzee trekking while in Uganda. This sanctuary is set up by Goodall to conserve the primates – the island’s part where the chimpanzees are kept is well-fenced off in order to permit the chimps to roam freely without causing damage to the neighbors.
Accessibility; There are two shift of speedboat that runs visitors to Ngamba – half trip which starts in the morning and full trip starts at 5pm till 1pm. Children from 5 to 15 years always pay half the price before gaining entry to the sanctuary.
Fortunately, the sanctuary started with about 13 chimpanzees that were rescued by a few locals and Dr. Jane Goodall and ever since the number has increased in number. During your visit get close sight seeing of chimpanzees at different stages, contact with them through feeding. Chimpanzee feeding at Ngamba can be combined with other activities like fishing, swimming, exploring the villages and birding.
Chimpanzee feeding at Ngambi goes at USD100 per person per day
What to Pack for A chimp Trek in Uganda?
Before you set off for your chimpanzee Safaris to one of the above-mentioned chimp destinations. We recommend you to make sure that you carry what is considered essential when it comes to chimpanzee trekking and these include the following;
Insect repellent
Bottled drinking water
Long- sleeved shirts and trouser to avoid scratches on your body
Waterproof hiking boots
A sun hat and screen
A small backpack to carry a few essential like cameras and extra batteries while trekking
A walking stick to ease trekking
Camera and binoculars.
Chimp Trekking Rules and Regulations;
They are set up by the ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority to protect both the primates and the visitors, as listed below;
If you are ill -sick especially with flu and cough
Always follow all the guidelines that are given to you by the tour guides
Keep a distance of 8 meters between you and the chimps
Visitors are allowed to eat or drink near them.
If you want to go for long hole, ask the guide to dig for your hole of about 30cm deep and after that bury everything including the toilet paper.
There is minimum age of 15 years and above
Cameras with flashlight are not allowed to use while in the park -flashlight scares the chimps
Always keep your noise low while you’re with chimps.
What is the Best Time to See Chimpanzee in Uganda?
Chimpanzee trekking can be carried out all year round however, the best time without destruction of heavy rains -good to enjoy hike into nature habitant is during dry season which starts between June to September and December to January.
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