Introduction
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda involves visitors making treks deep into tropical rainforests in search of habituated chimpanzee troops and once found, an hour is allowed just meters away as one closely watches them go by their routine duties. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is an exceptional and interesting activity which is the second best done after mountain gorilla trekking. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda starts with a briefing early in the morning about the dos and don’ts and what is required of one during chimpanzee trekking. Park rangers who are well conversant with the trekking trails will lead you through lush vegetation while searching for a habituated group of chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda Usually lasts for 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on how far the chimpanzees could have moved in search of food. Several other animals are easily spotted during chimpanzee trekking for example blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkey, black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, baboons, and many more with a variety of bird species. Once the chimpanzee troop is located, an hour is allowed close to them which allows one to learn more about their lifestyle for example feeding habits, grooming the little ones, feeding habits, mating, and many more which surely attract one to take shots and record videos.
Therefore for one to be able to trek chimpanzees in Uganda, he or she must have purchased a chimpanzee trekking permit which is a legal card issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority to individuals at the age of 12 years and above willing to encounter our close relatives in their natural habitat. Prices of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda vary depending on the chimpanzee trekking destination one would wish to visit for example a Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale National Park costs 250USD per person for foreign non-residents, 200USD per person for foreign residents and 180,000Ug shillings per person for East African Community citizen. Chimpanzee trekking permits in other chimpanzee trekking destinations such as Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forests, and Budongo Forest cost 100USD per person for foreign non-residents, 80USD per person for foreign residents and 50,000 shillings per person for East African Community citizens. These new chimpanzee trekking prices have been put into effect from July 2024 to June 2026 though they are subject to changes without prior notice.
What caused the price increment?
The inflated demand for chimpanzee trekking permits by tourists
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the country’s major Tourism activities that attracted overwhelming numbers of tourists over time in the memorial. This has often caused a lot of traffic for chimpanzee trekking permits in the past years and the Uganda Wildlife Authority thought the best way to clear out this is to make an increment in the prices of chimpanzee trekking permits.
Aid and contribute to the growth and development of local communities through revenue-sharing
Uganda’s chimpanzee trekking destinations are neighbored by local communities that have been involved in chimpanzee conservation by the Tourism Board both directly and indirectly to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. This has greatly reduced cases of poaching, chimpanzee trafficking, and many more thus ensuring their conservation. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has come up with community-based tourism initiatives aimed at empowering communities through the Tourism industry that require funds and thus the reason for increased prices for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. These community-based tourism initiatives are aimed at linking tourism to conservation efforts of wildlife, cultural heritage, and sustainable rural development to enhance the local people’s livelihoods for example by building schools, hospitals, and many more.
Sustenance efforts and aid for conservation efforts
The chimpanzee trekking prices have been increased by the Uganda Wildlife Authority so that enough funds are collected to ensure full support of chimpanzee conservation in the country. Chimpanzees are considered endangered in the world and therefore to ensure their safety and conservation, there should be enough funds to run several conservation programs and efforts for example community awareness, community-based conservation, participatory forest monitoring, and capacity building to mention but a few.
What to pack for chimpanzee trekking
Below are some of the items one should consider before setting off for a chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda;
- Hiking boots; these footwear should be waterproof and strong enough to protect the feet and ankles during your trekking activities. One should keep in mind that the durability and quality of the hiking boots determine one’s ability to hike and move for long distances without being injured.
- Garden loves; these will help keep your hands safe just in case one touches thorny and itching plants while on a chimpanzee trekking trail.
- Rain jacket; this is to protect you from the rains in case they fall during your chimpanzee trekking activity.
- Insect repellant; this is aimed at protecting you from biting insects during your trekking activity for example tsetse flies, mosquitoes, safari ants, and many more.
- Cameras and extra batteries; not forgetting that photography is an essential component of your chimpanzee trekking safari and thus make sure you have your camera ready to take enough pictures of wondrous moments in the rainforests.
- Backpack; this should also be waterproof to keep all your day’s essential items safe during chimpanzee trekking for example cameras, cell phones, water bottles, repellants, and many more.
- Long-sleeved trousers and shirt; these will keep your body safe from thorns, and tree branches as well as protect you from direct insect bites. These also help to keep your body warm during chimpanzee trekking since sometimes forests tend to be cold.
- Water bottle; this carries your water that will energize your body during the trek.
Other items may include binoculars, sunglasses, a cape/hat, energy-giving snacks, anti-malaria drugs, and many more.
Where to track chimpanzees
The best place to track Chimpanzees is Kibale Forest National Park situated in the western region a few kilometers south of Fort Portal town. This National Park has one of the highest diversity and concentration of primates in the entire continent including a large number of endangered chimpanzees of more than 1500 individuals.
Other chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda include;
- Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Budongo Forest
- Kalinzu forest
- Bugoma forest
- Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is best known for hosting orphaned chimpanzees that were rescued from poachers. This is the best place for kids below 12 years since here they are allowed to view the chimpanzees and go about their routine activities in an enclosed area with a fence.
The best time to track chimpanzees in Uganda
Uganda is open for tourism and chimpanzee trekking all year round though the best time is during the dry season in June to September and December to February. During these months, there is no or less rainfall downpours implying that the trekking tracks are accessible and not slippery compared to the rainy season. However, the wet season becomes the perfect time for budget travelers interested in chimpanzee trekking since lodges and other accommodation facilities tend to lower their prices because it is when the country’s tourism sector experiences a low season.