The cost of chimpanzee trekking tours in Uganda varies for different citizens and also for different chimpanzee destinations. In Kibale National Park, the cost is USD 250 per person per trek for a foreign non-resident, USD 200 for a foreign resident, and UGX 180,000 for an East African Community citizen. Trekking chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge of Queen Elizabeth National Park is relatively cheaper. The cost of a permit is USD 100 for a foreign non-resident, USD 80 for a foreign resident, and UGX 50,000 for an East African Community citizen.
In Budongo Forest during the high season, trekking a habituated chimp group costs USD 120 per person per trek for a foreign non-resident, USD 110 for a foreign resident, and USD 75 US for an East African Community citizen. In the low season, trekking costs USD 110 for a foreign non-resident, USD 100 for a foreign resident, and USD 70 for a Ugandan citizen. In Kalinzu forest chimpanzee tracking costs USD 130 for a foreign non-resident, USD 65 for a foreign resident, and USD 65 for an East African citizen.
The rates cater for a nature walk, entrance, and guide fees at Kibale National Park and Kalinzu. In Kyambura Gorge, the mentioned fees do not cater for entrance but cater for the guide fees and the nature walk on the particular day of tracking. Acquiring or booking a chimpanzee permit is only done through a reputable tour operator. Standard Safaris, with the requisite experience and reputation in tours and travel can do this and even more, like planning for your trip in the smallest amount of time. We can also plan with you on matters regarding your tour package. This will also include transportation, meals, accommodation, and more tourist activities that can complement the chimpanzee tracking.
When to go for Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda
The chimpanzee destinations are open to visitors throughout the year and the habituated chimpanzees can be tracked on any day even on a public holiday. However, you might want to consider a few of your preferences before you make your choice to travel. Traveling in the dry season if you want to enjoy the warm temperatures and less precipitation compared to the rainy season. The chimpanzee trails are usually drier and less slippery thus easier to traverse. The vegetation is also less dense thus making visibility much better while moving in the rainforests. The dry season occurs twice in a year, the first from December to February, and June to August.
The rainy season is also an exciting time to visit these chimpanzee destinations for chimp-tracking tours. The rainy season brings heavy rains to the rainforests, thus increasing the density of vegetation cover to reduce your visibility. This makes the forest more luxurious and filled with mystery regarding whether you will encounter the habituated chimpanzee group. This in combination with the muddy and slippery trails creates a slightly challenging place to navigate thus requiring significant levels of boldness and physical fitness. The rainy season occurs twice in the chimpanzee tracking destinations. The first from March to May and the second from September to November. Since this is the low tourist season, it is suited for either low-budget travelers or those in need of less crowds in the forest.
Packing for Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda
Tracking chimpanzees in Uganda is very exciting however, moving in a rainforest to see a habituated chimpanzee group in their natural homes also requires you to have some essential items. A few of them might be provided in the destinations, however you need the following to have a successful trip.
- Lighter clothes to ensure that you are comfortable enough to walk during a warm day. The materials should also be made of dull colors to avoid startling the wildlife in the forest. Clothes should be composed of a shirt with long sleeves and trousers that reach your feet to protect you from insect bites, especially mosquitoes or tsetse flies.
- Strong hiking shoes or boots to move in a rainforest. Gaiters are also essential to ensure that your shoes and lower legs do not get muddy.
- You need a wide-brimmed hat that can cover your head to reduce the exposure of your face, ears, and nose to the sun rays.
- Sunglasses and suncream are very essential to protect your eyes and skin respectively, from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays from the sun.
- A refillable water bottle is an essential item since you need to remain hydrated while participating in a chimpanzee trekking activity that is known for being energy-demanding.
- Energy- giving snacks in case you feel hungry while tracking the chimpanzees.
- A small backpack to carry a camera, binoculars, first aid kit, insect repellent, and many other essential items you will need while tracking the chimpanzees in the rainforests.
- A rain jacket since the activities are conducted in a rainforest, where rain can fall at any time.
