Best places to see chimpanzees in Uganda : One species of great ape that lives in the tropical African forests and savannas is the chimpanzee. There are four species of chimpanzees that are known to exist, and a fifth is theoretical. Male adults can reach adult weights of 40 to 60 kg, while female adults can reach weights of 32 to 47 kg.
Chimpanzees have bare faces, fingers, palms of hands, toes, and soles of feet, and their coarse black hair coats cover them all. In Uganda, chimpanzees live in a variety of forests. The chimpanzees’ most colourful forests in Uganda include;
Kibale Forest.
Kibale National Park, the famed home of thousands of chimpanzees, is located along the western border of Uganda, often known as the pearl of Africa. An excursion to the forest from Kampala takes about five hours by car, covering a distance of about 348 kilometres. The tourist destination of Fort Portal is about 26 kilometres southeast of it. The forest covers an area of about 776 square kilometres and is primarily composed of evergreen, moist forests with a variety of landscapes that provide a suitable environment for primates to thrive.
Kyambura Gorge.
Kyambura Gorge displays the splendour of a densely forested valley covered in its own natural rainforest. East of Queen Elizabeth National Park is where it is located. The tributaries of the Kyambura River feed the forest’s various species of flora and fauna, particularly the main attractions, the chimpanzees, and contribute to the forest’s overall green appearance. Renowned for its chimpanzee habitat, Kyambura Gorge is home to a diverse range of habituated and non-habituated families.
In this forest, families typically consist of 35 to 80 members. The Kampala-Mbarara-Kasese highway provides access to the gorge.
Budongo forest.
Situated on the periphery of the magnificent Murchison Falls National Park, the largest national park in Uganda, the enormous Budongo forest lies northwest of Kampala. The African Savannah can be seen for miles around from the forest, which is situated on an escarpment northeast of Lake Albert. Covering an area of about 825 square kilometres, it is made up of varied landscapes and dense tropical rainforests. With multiple chimpanzee families living there, it is known as the nation’s primate capital.
It is easier for visitors to access and spend time observing the chimpanzees as they go about their daily lives in their natural habitat because the forest provides food, shelter, and play areas for them. It is an experience that is well worth the effort.
How much does it cost to trek chimpanzees per destination?
It should be noted by visitors that in order to walk with chimpanzees in Uganda, a permit must be obtained from the relevant authorities. Chimpanzee trekking permits can be obtained by visitors through authorized tour operators, who can assist them in checking the availability of permits and making timely reservations.
In order to hike with the chimpanzees in Budongo Forest, one must purchase a trekking permit, which costs $130.00 for non-resident foreigners, $120.00 for residents of other countries, and $85 for citizens of East Africa.
On the other hand, chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale Forest cost $200 for non-resident foreigners, $250 for residents, and 180,000 Uganda Shillings for citizens of East Africa.
The chimpanzee trekking permits to Kyambura Gorge can be obtained at $100.00 for foreign non-residents, $80.00 for foreign residents and Uganda shillings 50,000 for East African citizens. The prices are directly proportional to the prospective experiences since all the destinations give uniquely interesting moments.
When to visit?
The best times of year to go on chimpanzee trekking excursions and have the most amazing experiences are during the dry months. Stable terrain during the dry months makes it possible for tourists to move through the thick bushes and rainforests with little interruption from the weather.
As a result, guests are able to enjoy the finest times and discover more of the varied flora and fauna that the forests have to offer.
The two dry months are known as the long dry season, which spans from June to September, and the short dry season, which spans from December to the beginning of February.
It’s important to remember, though, that chimpanzee trekking is possible throughout the rainy seasons and may even be more successful during these times because chimpanzees typically don’t travel great distances in search of food.
