Chimpanzee Trekking in Kalinzu forest

Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest; Chimpanzee trekking is an interesting activity which involves moving deep into the forest in search of the habituated chimpanzee families and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Kalinzu forest is a tropical rainforest located in western Uganda in Bushenyi district close to Maramagambo forest and Queen Elizabeth national park.

Kalinzu forest is blessed with abundant wildlife species including 414 tree species, 98 moths, 261 butterfly species, 380 bird species, mammals such as forest buffaloes, wild pigs, antelopes and 6 primates including chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys and olive baboons. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is also done in Kibale forest national park, Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park and Toro-Semuliki game reserve.

Chimpanzee trekking experience in Kalinzu forest

Kalinzu forest is a home of more than 320 chimpanzees and about 70 are habituated and open for trekking on a daily basis. Trekking in Kalinzu forest is done in two sessions that is the morning session which starts at around 8:00am and the afternoon session which starts at around 2:00pm and each session starts with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking.

After the briefing you will enter the forest with an experienced park guide in search of the habituated chimpanzee family. Trekking of chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they like to move deep into the forest in search of food especially during the dry season.

During trekking you will be able to view other primates like l’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, different bird species, plant and tree species among others. Once the chimpanzees are found you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you a chance to observe their habits, behaviors, take photos, record videos, watch them feed, breastfeed, hunt, fight, play, rest, groom young ones among others.

Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest

A permit in a card or document that is issued to any visitor above the age of 15 years allowing him or her to visit a habituated chimpanzee family in Kalinzu forest. A single chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest costs USD 50 for foreign non residents, USD 50 for foreign residents and UGX 30,000 for East African citizens.

The permits in Kalinzu forest are cheaper compared to other chimpanzee destinations like Kibale national park where a single permit costs USD 200 for foreign non residents, USD 150 for foreign residents and UGX 150,000 for East African citizens and Budongo forest where a single permit costs USD 120 for foreign non residents, USD 110 for foreign residents and USD 75 for East African citizens.

The trekking permits in Kalinzu forest can be booked through Achieve Global Safaris whereby you will contact us with your names and date when you wish to visit the chimpanzees. We will check for permit availability and get back to you if there are permits available. You will be asked to make a deposit and once we receive the payments we will purchase the permits on your behalf.

Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest

Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season there is less rainfall in forest therefore access roads to Kalinzu forest and chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable compared to the wet season when the trails are wet and slippery which makes trekking difficult.

Where to stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari in Kalinzu forest

There are a number of accommodation facilities near Kalinzu forest where you can stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari. The accommodations range from luxury, mid-range and budget including Katara Lodge, Twin Lakes Safari Lodge, Jacana Safari Lodge, Kyangabi Crater Resort, Irungu Forest Safari Lodge, Kingfisher Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Engiri Game Lodge, Tembo Safari Lodge among others.

How to get to Kalinzu forest

Kalinzu forest is located in western part of Uganda along Mbarara-Kasese highway and can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi and then to the visitors centre which takes about 5 to 6 hours drive in a 4WD safari vehicle.

Apart from chimpanzee trekking, there are other activities in Kalinzu forest which you can participate in such as guided nature walk, bird watching, game viewing, camping among others. For more information about chimpanzee trekking you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for chimpanzee trekking packages.