Chimpanzee tracking is one of another adventure exciting activity which gives you an opportunity to see the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Budongo Forest is part of Murchison Falls Conservation Area which is famous for the world’s strongest falls. It is perched in the north western part of Uganda and the largest tropical rain forest in East Africa. It is a habitat to many primates, birds, tree species, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, forest elephants and buffaloes.
Budongo forest is among the ideal places to track the chimpanzees besides Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Budongo is covered with canopy trees were the chimpanzees swing from one tree to another. The Chimpanzees area of the forest is currently managed by Jane Goodall Institute which is responsible for their welfare and conservation.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo forest is done two times a day; in the morning starting at 7am and afternoon at 3pm you are free to choose the convenient time.
It is such a mesmerizing adventure as you trek into the forest in search for the chimpanzees. You will transferred from the lodge to the briefing point at Kaniyo Pabidi eco site, were you will meet an UWA ranger guide and other trekkers. The ranger will brief you about the do’s and don’ts about chimpanzee tracking, after the briefing he will accompany you into the forest as he explains and answers any questions regarding nature. When you encounter the chimpanzees, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them, observe their ways of life, take some photos and then head back to the briefing point that marks the end of the activity.
The activity takes about 2-3 hours, you are advised to wear a long-sleeved shirt, a hut, safari boots, carry a hiking stick for easy movement. Chimpanzee tracking is only allowed to persons above 15 years since it involves long treks into the forest.
Apart from the chimpanzees, the forest is also endowed with a variety of tree species, mammal species you can come across as you trek like; monkeys, baboons, forest birds, forest elephants, antelopes, reptiles among others
Chimpanzee habituation gives you an opportunity to spend more time with the chimpanzees as you start and end the day with them in their natural habitat. But it is usually done during low season when there are a few tourists.
The chimpanzee trekking permits for Budongo Forest are limited to 16 per day and costs $130 for foreign non-residents, $120 for foreign residents during peak/ high season while as in low season it costs $120 for foreign non-residents and $110.Habituation permit costs $239 for foreign non residents and $160 for foreign residents.
Chimpanzee tracking can be combined with other activities to spice your safari in Uganda for example; boat cruise, game drive, birding, sport fishing, hiking among others.
Other famous areas you can visit for chimpanzee tracking include; Kibale National Park also known as the World’s primate capital, Ngamba Island, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Nyungu Yamawe Forest National Park in Rwanda and Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania.
Are you looking out for an exciting adventure to track the chimpanzees, look no further, book with Bigodi Africa Expeditions for an affordable safari you will never forget.
