Chimpanzee trekking is the major tourist activity in Kalinzu Forest. Trekking with chimpanzees is an exciting adventure experience that takes place in the heart of and misty tropical rainforest of Kalinzu. Chimpanzee trekking is an act of traversing the rugged terrain of dense and impenetrable vegetation in the search for chimpanzees and spending an hour in their presence after locating them. Chimpanzees are one of the various primates in Kalinzu Forest that make this natural habitat popular. These primates are the most intelligent animals on the planet, coming close to human likeness, with over 98.8% of their DNA resembling that of human beings.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest is the only way one can get to encounter these incredible primates up close as they go about their daily chores. Chimpanzee trekking is a beautiful venture that has invited visitors far and wide to come to Kalinzu Forest and witness firsthand and participate in this experience.
As visitors flood Kalinzu Forest, they begin their chimpanzee trekking adventure with a pre-trek briefing that is carried out by the park officials, especially the rangers. This briefing involves the rules and regulations of chimpanzee trekking that are given to the visitors by the park rangers. Briefing also extends to take visitors through the visitors’ expected code of conduct, especially in the presence of chimpanzees.
Though these primates can be completely unbothered by the presence of visitors, the wild factor is always taken into account, and this is why visitors must follow the instructions of the rangers as given during the short pre-trekking briefing. Imagine a feeling and scene, it would be watching and spending time in the presence of chimpanzees, watching them swing from tree to tree as they play, while the females keep an eye on their young as they groom them. This and more unfold right in front of your eyes as you embark on a chimpanzee trekking experience in Kalinzu Forest.
How much is chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest?
The cost of trekking chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest varies by region and nationality of the visitors. For visitors to embark on this trekking adventure of chimpanzees, they need to acquire a chimpanzee permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority through a trusted tour company like Standard Safaris. Purchasing this chimpanzee permit costs USD 130 for foreigners and USD 65 for Ugandans and East Africans.
About Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu Forest is one of those tourist destinations that may not be talked about much but bears some of the most incredible attractions. Kalinzu Forest stretches for over 137 square kilometers in total land mass, with over 414 tree species. This vast, dense tropical rainforest is a true definition of nature at its best. The forest’s thickness creates a misty structure in the early mornings with sounds of over 378 bird species that call this forest home. Kalinzu Forest is managed by the National Forest Authority, the governing body in charge of all the forests in the country.
Life in the Kalinzu Forest breaks free as the sun rises, unveiling sights of over 267 butterfly species. Kalinzu Forest is located in the Bushenyi district, close to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Maramagambo Forest. Kalinzu Forest’s ecological system is diverse, with different vegetation types dominated by tropical rainforest.
Kalinzu Forest also hosts a relatively large number of chimpanzees, totalling up to over 320. These add to the other primate species in this forest, including olive baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, Ugandan mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, pottos, etc. The chimpanzees are, however, the face of Kalinzu Forest and the reason why this forest registers a significant number of visitors annually.
What other tourist activities can be done in Kalinzu Forest?
Kalinzu Forest, on top of delivering a classic and epic chimpanzee trekking experience, the forest also has a number of tourist activities that visitors can add to their bucket list. These tourist activities include the following.
Nature walks
Nature walks in Kalinzu Forest are like no other, with scenes and sights that tease the soul. The scenic beauty of Kalinzu Forest attracts visitors to explore it, given its variations in ecological systems. The nature walks in the forest take place along designated walking trails that help to penetrate the forest for the best views.
The forest’s high altitude presents the visitors with a nature walk with beautiful scenes of Lakes George and Edward in the distance, with Kazinga Channel and the Mountain Rwenzori in sight. During these nature walks, visitors can encounter different primate species like vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys, among others, and also several bird species.
Birding
Birding is also one of the highly sought-after activities in Kalinzu Forest, especially for birders. With over 378 bird species nesting in this forest, visitors can be assured of encountering several bird species. The different birding trails, well designated in the forest, aid this activity, and visitors can encounter these birds more clearly.
Kalinzu forest has both endemic and migratory birds, which can be spotted in different seasons. Some of the birds to spot in Kalinzu Forest include black bee-eater, Alpine swift, yellow-billed barbet, African broadbill, African Emerald cuckoo, and barn swallow, among others.
