Chimpanzee habituation tour in Budongo Forest

Budongo Forest is an outstanding destination to do a chimpanzee habituation tour in Uganda. During chimpanzee habituation, you will track a semi-habituated chimpanzee troop with a team of experts and forest ranger guides. After spotting the chimpanzee troop, you will spend 2-4 hours in their presence. This is a much longer duration than the chimpanzee trekking tours in Uganda, which take only 1 hour.

The uniqueness of a chimpanzee habituation tour in Budongo Forest is that you get the opportunity to familiarize them with human presence. You can also witness their behavior gradually while they are in their natural home. This process is before they are introduced to tourism, especially the thrilling chimpanzee trekking adventures. You may be allowed to take as many photos as possible during the chimpanzee habituation.

What is the cost of a chimpanzee habituation tour in Budongo Forest?

A chimpanzee habituation experience in Budongo Forest costs USD 220 per person if you are a non-resident. Resident foreigners are required to pay USD 150 per person, and Ugandans need to pay USD 80 per person. This fee is used to purchase a permit from the National Forestry Authority, which you will present at the Kaniyo-Pabidi eco-tourism site. You can make the acquisition of the permit much faster and convenient with a reputable tour operator like Standard Safaris.

How to reach Budongo Forest for chimpanzee habituation?

You can directly travel to Budongo Forest using road transport. This is a scenic trip that takes 4-5 hours covering a distance of approximately 241 km. This is along the Kampala-Gulu Road, via Luweero and Masindi. You will have to pass through the entrance to Murchison Falls National Park. Standard Safaris ensures reliable transportation with a wide range of cars, ranging from 4X4 safari Landcruisers, minivans, drones, and sedans etc.

When to visit Budongo Forest do chimpanzee habituation?

There is no wrong time to visit Budongo Forest for chimpanzee habituation tours, since they can be done year-round. But an outdoor tour activity like chimpanzee habituation is best done in the dry season. In Budongo Forest, this is mostly experienced between June to August, and also from December to February. In this period, the chimp trails are drier, less muddy, and less slippery. This makes walking in the forest quite simple and comfortable.

The dry season is also known for less dense forest vegetation due to less rainfall received. This provides clear views of the chimpanzees while in the forest. What else makes the dry season perfect for chimp habituation is the continuous experience, because the chances of showers are low. The activity is not going to be interrupted by heavy rains, which are almost guaranteed daily during the wet season.

Other tour activities in Budongo Forest?

Chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee trekking offers an opportunity for visitors to track and spend an hour with a habituated chimpanzee troop. A chimpanzee trekking tour in Budongo Forest takes 2-4 hours and could be done either in the morning or evening. Each chimpanzee trekking tour costs only USD 120 per person for non-residents in peak season and USD 110 in low seasons and USD 70 per person if you are an East African resident or Ugandan in low seaon and USD 75 in peak season. This fee also covers the entrance to Budongo Forest.

Nature walk

This walk is a revitalizing way for anyone can reconnect with nature while recharging their mind and body. Guided nature walks in Budongo Forest offer plenty of views of birds, primates, non-ape mammals, insects, and vegetation species, etc. Nature walking in Budongo Forest costs USD 40, USD 20, and USD 10 per person for non-residents, East Africans, and Ugandans, respectively.

Birding trip

Birding is an unmissable guided activity in Budongo Forest due to over 360 bird species living there. Birders and ornithologists will expect to spot plenty of resident and migratory species, including Albertine endemics. Bird species to encounter include grey-headed sunbird, Ituri batis, yellow-crested woodpecker, and Cassin’s hawk-eagle, etc. Birding tours for non-residents cost USD 40. East Africans and Ugandans pay USD 20 and USD 10, respectively.

Filming

It offers an opportunity to capture the lush Budongo Forest with its biodiversity on video. With the guidance of knowledgeable ranger guides and protection of armed rangers, you will also capture streams of water and vegetation. These can be made into a documentary film or any other content to be uploaded on YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and others. Filming per person in Budongo Forest costs USD 500 regardless of origin.

Facts about Budongo Forest

Budongo Forest is 825 square kilometers and continuous with the southern part of Murchison Falls National Park. It is situated in Uganda’s northwest and is the country’s largest natural forest. The ecosystem of Budongo Forest comprises moist semi-deciduous medium altitude forest, with patches of savannah and woodland. Four rivers pass through Budongo Forest, and they are Siba, Waisoke, Sonso, and Kamirambwa.

These are home to 464 tree species, including the renowned mahogany species. Budongo Forest also shelters over 24 species of mammals, including 9 primate species. Primates besides chimpanzees include olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, pottos, and bushbabies. Other mammals to find in Budongo Forest include giant forest squirrels, pangolins, bush elephants, and buffaloes etc.

Sándor Jakubinyi

14:31 22 Feb 24

2019 megigazulás

12:45 21 Feb 24

We went on a two-week trip with my family, organised by Coleb from Standard Safaris.

I had my concerns about organised trips, but this one didn’t justify any of those. Everything went very smoothly, even when some problems arose with one of the cars it got fixed by next morning, the accomodations were clean and comfortable, the programs were exciting and well-balanced - everything was done to a truly high standard.

If you plan to visit Uganda and are looking for a guide, I warmly recommend Coleb and his team. In case you have a choice of drivers, go for Godwin, his presence made this trip even more enjoyable - cheerful, helpful, good sense of humour, generally a great person. Just look for the guy with a big smile and big heart:)

Bert Simoens

09:38 08 Jan 24

We recently embarked on a safari adventure with Standard Safaris in Uganda, which was truly exceptional. Our guide, Yonah, was outstanding - his kindness, knowledge, and discretion significantly enhanced our experience. He was the heart of our trip.

The local company's planning was offering a tailor-made journey that matched our interests. We saw an array of wildlife in Murchison, enjoyed rafting at Jinja, and experienced mountain biking at Sipi. A visit to Kidepo National Park was a highlight and comes highly recommended.

The vehicle provided was comfortable and reliable. We highly recommend Standard Safaris for anyone seeking an unforgettable safari in Uganda. Their professionalism and the exceptional guidance of staff like Yonah make them an great choice.

Michał Kostrzewa

00:41 15 Nov 23

We are all extremely grateful Standard Safaris for an incredible East Africa experience. I recently booked a custom trip for group of 8 people, including an 8-year-old boy, from Kampala through Queen Elizabeth National Park and on to Rwanda and Burundi. Coleb delivered on everything that was discussed and agreed upon beforehand.

The car provided was in great condition and our driver Meddy went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable, informed, and had the best possible time. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. All local services were inlcuded in (reasonable) price that we agreed, so there was no need to worry about payments during the 6 day trip. Also Standard Safaris agreed took care about safety and security by helping us organize armed ranger while in the park.

The whole trip was hassle-free and smooth. We saw amazing wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP, took in the sights of Rwanda and Burundi, and made lifelong memories.

I would happily book with Standard Safaris again in a heartbeat and recommend them wholeheartedly to anyone looking for the best East Africa trip. They provide top-notch service while ensuring you have an incredible, customized experience. If you want a hassle-free, flawlessly organized African adventure, Standard Safaris is the tour operator to book with.

Ivan Nammanda

18:31 27 Oct 23

Very organized travel operator who chose awesome guide to make our trip wonderful.

We booked a nine days trip with Standard Safaris and all was perfect from start to finish. Coleb was very prompt at replying and easy to liaise with ahead of the trip. We had done a lot of research and had an itinerary in mind and Coleb helped us to put everything together to make this happen for a very reasonable price.  On the trip we had a private vehicle for the whole tour which was exactly what we wanted. Bryan was our driver and an amazing guide - really friendly and knowledgable, working hard to find the things that we wanted to see and quickly understanding what was of interest to us/how much information to give.

Would highly recommend a trip to Uganda with Standard Safaris. We are definitely coming back soon!

MUGAIGA KENNETH

18:01 27 Oct 23

The company has very courteous tour guides with wide knowledge of fauna and frola in the whole of East Africa.
The choice of safari Lodges is good with first class treatment.
Game drive security is assured.
Almost The whole of September I was traversing through DRC, Uganda,and Rwanda on a gorilla tour and wildlife expedition.
Everything was arranged and booked perfectly by Standard Safaris.
The owner, Coleb was always helpful whenever we needed to ask questions about this gorilla safari in Uganda and beyond.
It was a complex expedition but Standard safaris and Coleb made it look amazingly easy.
I’ll recommend Standard safaris 200%, for all gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and wildlife tours in east africa.

travel uganda

16:35 27 Oct 23

This is so far the best gorilla trekking company in Uganda, and africa, by far. I had a wonderful time with Standard Safaris as a solo traveler.
My guide was excellent and our safari planner, Coleb was quick with responses and the prices were very friendly.
I’ll definitely book with Standard safaris on my next gorilla tour in Rwanda and Uganda.