Best place to trek chimpanzees in Uganda

Uganda is popularly known as a primate capital of Africa due to the fact that most of her forests are populated with primates such as mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys among others and as such people would like to know which the best place to trek chimpanzees in Uganda is.

Uganda has over 1500 chimpanzees in total spread in several forests including Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo Forest, Kariju Forest, Maramagambo Forest, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park among others. Out of all these, habituated chimpanzees are only found in Kibale National Park, Budongo forest, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park as well as Kariju ecotourism site. Its from the above that one needs to be advised on the best place go trek chimpanzees in Uganda

Kibale Forest National Park as one of the best place to trek chimpanzees in Uganda

This lowland tropical rain forest is located in Kabarole and Kamwege district and is about five to six hours drive from capital city Kampala. The forest boosts of three habituated communities of chimpanzees of which two communities are trekked every day. Each tourists interested in chimpanzee trekking has to part with USD150 for a permit for per trek per day and entitles you of one hour with the habituated chimps and includes a guide as well as park entrance fees. Kibale Forest National Park has been named the best place in Africa to trek chimps and spot other 12 primates and birds there within the forest. Forest buffaloes, elephants and forest birds are among other attractions that enhances your chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park. Kibale forest National Park therefore remains the best place in Uganda to trek chimpanzees due to the nature of terrain, proximity to Kampala as compared to other chimpanzee trekking sites.

Budongo Forest

Located in Northern Uganda and part of Murchison Falls National Park conservation area, Budongo forest has the highest number of wild chimpanzees in Uganda. Kanio Pabidi has habituated chimpanzees and to trek them, one needs USD80 for a permit that allows you one hour. Chimpanzee trekking experience at Budongo forest is next to that at Kibale Forest National Park and as such, this forest ranks number two in as far as best places for trekking chimps are concerned. Your Budongo chimp trek can be combined with a visit to Murchison Falls National Park where game drives on the northern side of river nile can be conducted, boat cruise to the delta or the base of the falls among other activities. Budongo has very few accommodation options but one can either stay in Masindi town or Murchison Falls National Park and trek chimps in Budongo. Budongo Eco Lodge is the only reliable budget accommodation in the forest.

Kyambura Gorge

Chambura gorge is located in Queen Elizabeth National Park and has one community of habituated chimpanzees numbering to about eight individuals. Chimpanzee trekking here can be a bit strenuous as most chimpanzees keep on moving from one places to another and jumping from one tree to another given its steep terrain. Chimpanzee permits for Kyambura gorge cost USD50.00 per person per trek and a maximum of eight people can either track in the morning or afternoon