Chimpanzees are an exciting primate species inhabiting the Ugandan forests scattered all over the Western and southern parts of the country. Chimpanzee trekking as an outdoor tourism activity allows guests to spend ample time with chimpanzees, learning and unlearning multiple things about the lives of the primates. Chimpanzees are a species of great ape native to the forests and savannahs of tropical Africa. They have 4 genetically confirmed species with a 5th proposed one according to IUCN reports. Chimpanzees can be found in Uganda in the biodiverse tropical rainforests.
Chimpanzee locations in Uganda.
Kibale forest.
Lying on an area of about 795 square kilometers, Kibale National Park spans a thick tropical rainforest harboring up to 13 primate species including chimpanzees. It is blessed with beautiful and most diversified primeval forests in Uganda.
Kibale forest dominates the central and northern parts of the park along the Fort Portal plateau. The Kibale forest lies at the park’s northern tip which elevates up to 1590 metres above sea level. It is known as one of the best safari destinations in Africa and the world all over for chimpanzee trekking and habituation, A reason why it was named “the primate capital of the world”.
Budongo forest.
Budongo forest spans a wide semi-deciduous tropical rainforest located in the Albertine rift on the outskirts of Murchison Falls National Park. The forest lies in the northeast of Lake Albert. It stretches to an area of about 825 square kilometers in the western region of Uganda covering some parts of the Hoima and Kikuube districts. Budongo Forest is a renowned home for both diurnal and nocturnal primates including the chimpanzees. It offers chimpanzee trekking activities too. The fact that it provides additional views of the underlying Lake Albert further makes it more beautiful and a place to be for a vacation and getaway from the day-to-day lives of bustling cities.
Kyambura gorge.
Kyambura Gorge unveils the extensive valley comprising a thick tropical rainforest. It is a renowned home to chimpanzees and several other primates. Kyambura Gorge showcases the beauty of a forest trapped in a valley on the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It extends up to 100 meters deep.
The gorge is served by the river Kyambura tributaries that contribute to its overall beauty as they help serve it water all year round contributing to its evergreen look. This further makes it a better habitat for the chimpanzees since they do not have to move long distances and leave it in search of water and what to eat.
Kyambura offers exciting chimpanzee trekking activities throughout the year and therefore travelers seeking to spend time with chimpanzees should always endeavor to check it out.
Cost of chimpanzee trekking per destination.
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda has different prices attached to it depending on the destination where one is going to trek. This is mainly because different destinations offer varied experiences.
Trekking chimpanzees in Kibale National Park costs a nonnegotiable price of $200 for foreign non-residents, $150.00 for foreign residents, and Uganda shillings 150,000 for East African nationals.
In Budongo forest, trekking the chimpanzees goes for $130.00 for foreign non-residents, $120.00 for foreign residents, and $85 for East African citizens.
In Kyambura Gorge, the chimpanzee trekking activity costs $50.00 for foreign non-residents, $40.00 for foreign residents, and Uganda shillings 30,000 for East African citizens.
Favorable time to trek chimpanzees in Uganda.
Trekking chimpanzees in Uganda is done throughout the year in all the destinations. The dry seasons however are the most favorable and appropriate times in which tourists can indulge in chimpanzee tourism activities.
The dry seasons are characterized by low rainfall which therefore present uninterrupted moments for visitors to trek the chimpanzees, and make their way through the thick rainforests with no hardships. The dry seasons run from June to September and December to February.
