Uganda is home to 5000 chimpanzees of which 1400 individuals are found in Kibale Forest National Park located in the Albertine valley. Besides, you can track chimpanzees in three Uganda central forest reserves including Kaniyo-Pabidi eco-tourism site in Budongo forest southern part of Murchison Falls, Kalinzu and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Parks. The opportunity to see chimpanzee in the wild in Uganda is available in two ways including chimpanzee trekking which offers 1-hour with a fully habituated chimp family and Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) giving you 4-hour encounter with semi-habituated group of chimpanzees available only in Kibale Forest National Park. In the wild, visitors are allowed to view primates at a distance of 7-meters – you’re not permitted to touch them. If you wish to hold a chimpanzee on your African safari, Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC) in Entebbe town offers chimpanzee close-up experience. With the help of a guide, participants who must undergo a health check are allowed to hold, trickle and feed the chimps both young and adult. The chimp close-up experience cost is $290 per person available for booking through the UWC offices. The activity starts at 7:30 am in the morning from Monday to Sunday. In the same manner, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary accessible in 45 minutes by speedboat or 90 by motorized canoe also offers a chance to feed and observe the behavior of chimpanzees from a raised fence platform. The cost of chimpanzee trekking in Uganda varies depending on place and experience. Kibale Forest, Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Ngamba island and Kyambura gorge are among the best places to see chimpanzees in Uganda
Chimp trekking and Habituation cost in Kibale Forest National Park
In Kibale Forest National Park chimp trekking permit cost is $200 (foreign non-residents), $150 (foreign residents) and 150000 UGX (East African Citizen). Booking is available through a tour operator or Uganda Wildlife Authority head offices in Kampala capital city. The primate walk is available at 7:30am in the morning, 2:00pm for those intending to track chimps in the afternoon and offers 1 hour to see chimps in their natural habitat. On the other hand, Chimpanzee Habituation Permit cost is $250 per person. In this experience a maximum of 4 guests are accompanied by trackers and researchers into the forest early in the morning at 6:30am in order to see where chimps built their nests the previous night. Oftentimes, there’s a chance to watch how the primates start their day including mothers breastfeeding their babies and hunting for food on ground or tree canopies while looking for fruits. With the help of guides, visitors are guided through the forest hiking on foot which requires average physical fitness due to the natural of terrain. The chimp permit fees includes park entry, guide and ranger.
Kibale Forest National Park protects 776 sq.km of afro-montane tropical rainforest in the Albert Rift Valley –western part of Uganda. With an altitude of 1100m to 1590 meters above sea level and thick vegetation, hiking in search of chimps can be challenging and rewarding at the same time. Kibale boasts of harboring 13 primate species including chimpanzee, L’Hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabays, red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, Demidoff’s dwarf Galago, black and white colobus monkeys, velvet monkeys and olive baboons; over 370 species of birds including African green-breasted pitta, 250 butterfly species and 299 tree species of which some are over years old. Those interested in doing more activities in addition to chimpanzee trekking, the Kibale night forest walk offers a chance to spot nocturnal animals. Visitors can also visit Bigodi swamp outside the park preferably in the afternoon for nature walk and village experience including visiting a traditional herbalist for his stunning metaphysics, learning the basket weaving, banana beer brewing process and coffee with opportunity to sample.
Tracking chimpanzees in Budongo Central Forest Reserve
The largest of Uganda central forest reserves, Budongo spans for 825 sq.km situated in southern part of Murchison Falls National Park north-western Uganda. The forest also includes Kaniyo-Pabidi ecotourism site a natural habitat for over 120 chimpanzees among other primate species including black and white colobus monkeys, velvet monkeys, olive baboons and blue monkeys; over 200 species of birds, tropical flowers and butterflies. The main activity is chimpanzee is available in the morning at 8:00am in the morning and 2:00pm for those intending to track in the afternoon. Chimp trekking permit cost in Budongo Forest is $80 per person available for booking in advance through a tour operator or Uganda Wildlife Authority. Budongo Forest is 220 sq.km (3-hour drive) north of Kampala capital city, 29 km from Masindi town and 5 km from Kichumbanyobo southern entrance gate of the park. One requires at least 3 days Murchison Falls National Park tour including chimpanzee trekking at Kaniyo-Pabidi ecotourism center, boat cruise safari, game drives and top of the falls walk. There are no zebras in the park, you expect to spot lions, leopards, African elephants, Cape buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffe, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of antelope species including hartebeest, Uganda kob, oribi, water and bushbucks. Accommodation at Kaniyo-Pabidi consists of camping facilities, Budongo Eco-Lodge, Bandas and cabins run by the Jane Goodall Institute that offers conservation education tours for naturalists and students. Those intending to spend a night there can do more activities including the Budongo Royal Mile that offers opportunity to spot birds, learn the history of Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom and visit a polish church.
Chimp tracking in Kalinzu Forest Reserve and Kyambura Gorge
Found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu central forest reserve and Kyambura Gorge offer chimpanzee trekking at $50 per person. The activity is conducted early in the morning at 7:30am and the permit is available for booking at Mweya the Uganda Wildlife Authority park headquarters or through a tour operator. The primate experience at each is unique due to the difference in terrain, scenery and wildlife. Kyambura Gorge known as the Valley of Apes is 30 km north-east of Mweya visitor center. The reserve contains tropical forests found 100 meter deep underground in the rift valley escarpment home to 29 chimpanzees including a group that is regularly monitored for tracking. The Kyambura River flows through the gorge and attracts hippos and water birds including the African fin foot and greater flamingo. Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge is done by a maximum of 6 people with opportunity to explore the spectacular underground tropical forest and spot hippos safely. There’s one luxury Kyambura Gorge Lodge for those intending to stay there on a trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
On the other hand, Kalinzu Forest Reserve covers 147 sq.km at an average of 1400 meters above sea level. The tropical forest is home to six primate species including chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, velvet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and 378 species of birds. There are two groups of chimpanzees habituated for tracking at Nkombe the reserve’s main visitor center. There’s a high chance to spotting primates and hiking is moderate than in Kyambura gorge. The chimp tracking permit for Kalinzu cost is $50 per person available for booking on arrival at Mweya Uganda Wildlife Authority visitor center or tour operator. Accommodation at Kalinzu forest is only do-it yourself camping at the site. Guests intending to sleep need to bring their own gears including tent. Those who want to visit for just a day can find where to stay in Bushenyi municipality which is 25 sq.km away from the visitor center.
For more info about chimpanzee trekking costs and bookings in Uganda, Contact Africa Adventure Safaris, the leading safari company in Uganda and East Africa