The well known as “The Pearl of Africa” boasts an overwhelming uniqueness with its wildlife diversity, incredible landscapes, a warm weather and interesting culture of the heterogeneous community. It offers thrilling safari experiences in its different safari packages for wildlife, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking and other adventures such as hiking and whitewater rafting.
A chimpanzee tracking safari in Uganda is a special opportunity to go up-close some of the most impressive animals in Africa-the chimps. It is a wonderful African travel experience to watch these closest cousins to man in their natural habitat, so you will see how playful, social and intelligent they are. These social primates live in families of about 20 to as many as 100 or more individuals. On a lucky day, you will find them so excited and hear lots of loud noise as they play around from branch to branch.
Where can I go for luxury chimp trekking in Uganda?
Uganda is one of the top chimpanzee tracking destinations in East Africa and Africa at large. It has a number of places where chimpanzees can be tracked or seen but the prime destination for this adventure is Kibale National Park. The activity involves marveling through the jungle of Kibale- a rain forest that consists of about 350 indigenous tree species. This collection of vegetation is home to 13 primate species and the most popular one being the chimpanzees. Other primates residing in Kibale forest include red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, Olive baboons, Black and white colobus monkeys, Blue monkeys, Vervet monkeys, Pottos and Grey cheeked mangabeys among others.
Kibale forest is the best place for chimp tracking in Uganda as it has huge densities of chimpanzees hence giving almost a guarantee of sightings.
A chimpanzee permit to track chimps in Kibale costs US$ 200 for foreign nonresidents and UGX 150,000 for East African citizens. This makes it the highest costed chimp permit in Uganda comparing with permits for other chimp tracking destinations within the country. And a luxury chimp trekking safari comes with a stay at a luxury safari lodge at Kibale national park. Some of these lodges include Primate Lodge, Kyaninga lodge and Ndali lodge among others.
What is the best time for chimp tracking in Kibale National Park?
Chimp tracking excursions are done twice a day in Kibale forest. The morning session starts at 08:00 and the second or afternoon session at 14:00. Both sessions offer wonderful experiences and great chances to meet the chimpanzees plus other primates that can be spotted along the trails.
Most people go for the morning session because they combine their chimpanzee tracking tour itineraries with another activity in the afternoon; either a visit to the Bigodi wetland sanctuary of to the community near the park. So you can join a session that suits your travel program and enjoy the best that Kibale has to offer.
Other places to visit for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Apart from Kibale national park, Uganda has other wildlife reserves which are natural homes for chimpanzees. A few families in each of them have been habituated for tourism purposes. Alternative chimp tracking destinations which are also considered to be budget chimp tracking destinations include; Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Budongo Forest Reserve in Murchison Falls conservation Area and Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park.
Kalinzu forest reserve is located close to Queen Elizabeth National Park. It has a total of about 300 chimps with about 40 habituated individuals. As you trek through the forest, this adventure also offers scenic views of the Rwenzori Mountains, Kazinga channel and Lake George.
Budongo’s wooded southern part is an amazing spot to encounter chimpanzees. It records lower visitor numbers compared to Kibale and this makes the experience more personal.
Kyambura gorge is situated in the East of Queen Elizabeth national park where it clearly makes a boundary that separates the Savannah from the dense forest. The gorge is dubbed “the valley of the apes”. Walking through the forest makes trekkers feel as though they are in a different world. Kyambura has only about 17 chimpanzees which most times may not be spotted but will hear their grunts during the hike.
What is the best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda?
Uganda is an all year safari destination but the best time considered for chimpanzee trekking is during the dry seasons- in June-September and December –February.
With the above information about chimpanzee tracking, we hope you can now plan well for your upcoming luxury chimpanzee trekking safari. For more information and bookings, contact us through info@ugandasafaribookings.com or speak to our travel consultants through +256-700135510/ +256-414699459.
