Cost Of Chimpanzee Trekking In Bugoma Forest

Cost Of Chimpanzee Trekking In Bugoma Forest. Bugoma forest is one of the still existing natural forests in Uganda situated in the western part of Uganda Masindi Hoima district. This forest is one of the seriously affected natural forests in Uganda as people keep harvesting wood from it.

Bugoma forest is home to a community of chimpanzees that is normally visited for research purposes. Busongo Forest is under the supervision of the National Forestry Authority of Uganda. Purchasing the chimpanzee permits for Budongo forest must be the first plan you incur. Currently, the cost of the chimpanzee trekking permit for Budongo forest is $ 65 per person per trek.

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Other than chimpanzee trekking in Bugoma forest, birding is also one of the major activities to do in this forest. Contact us for more information.

What is Included and excluded in the cost of Chimpanzee trekking permit for Bugoma Forest

The cost of the chimpanzee trekking permit for Bugoma forest includes one hour with the chimpanzees, ranger guide fee, chimpanzee conservation support and others.

Exclusions in the cost price of chimpanzee trekking permit for Bugoma forest include park entrance fees, tips, accommodation and other personal expenses.

About Bugoma forest

Bugoma forest is a natural tropical rain forest situated in western Uganda Masindi Hoima district in Bunyoro sub area. This forest is under the care of National Forest Authority a body that has the responsibility over forests in Uganda. The management of Bugoma forest is conjointly done with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Bugoma forest covers an area of 41144 square kilometers of forested land

This luxuriant tropical rainforest is an altitude of range of 600 to 1500 meters above sea level. The rain season of Bugoma forest is normally March, April, May and November where intense rain showers are expected to fall throughout the area.

Bugoma forest hosts a number of primates including chimpanzees, l’hoest, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys and others. An array of birds has been recorded as residents of Bugoma forest with over 200 bird species including Albertine rift endemics.

As a natural forest in Uganda, Bugoma forest is one of the few forests with fully-grown natural tree species including Mahogany, fig trees and others. The fully grown tree species in Budongo forest are attributed to the several years that the forest has been in existence for approximately 10,000 years. Several research measures have been taken on the vegetation around Bugoma forest including research on medicinal plants for herbalists and others.

Bugoma forest is one of the highly threatened natural forests in Uganda as people harvest a number of trees from it, carry out charcoal burning, deforestation for agricultural land, swamp reclamation for settlement and several others. To curb this situation, some community programs have been set up to educate the community about the importance of these forests in the environment.

When is the best time to do chimpanzee trekking in Bugoma forest.

The best time to do chimpanzee trekking in Bugoma forest is when you most feel comfortable but most tourists prefer the dry season. The dry season around Bugoma forest is normally June to September and December to mid-January.

The chimpanzees in Bugoma forest normally spend most of their time closer to the ground as they search for a meal to take them throughout the day. The vegetation is generally lower permitting quicker movement through the forest as tourists search for the chimpanzees in the dense forest. More sun rays penetrate through the dense canopy to the ground keeping the forest less moist.

Note that more tourists book safaris to see the chimpanzees in different parts of Uganda during this time yet the number of permits opened to the public per session is minimized to about 6 to 8 chimpanzee permits per day.  

Even the logistics that support safaris in Uganda including accommodations, transport are highly competed for in this season yet there are limited options available.

The wet season should not be ignored when planning a chimpanzee trekking adventure to Bugoma forest. The wet season which is normally March to May and October to November is open for chimpanzee trekking experience in Bugoma forest. The forest is usually greener and more undergrowth covers the trails in the forest. The chimpanzees and other forest dwellers spend more time up in the canopy.

How Safe Is Chimpanzee Trekking In Bugoma Forest

Bugoma forest is under the management of National Forest Authority and Uganda Wildlife Authority a joint security from both professional bodies has the responsibility of protecting the mountain gorillas and other forest dwellers.

Before exploring Bugoma forest for chimpanzee trekking experience, tourists must attend briefing a measure used to explain in details the rules of this activity. Every chimpanzee trekking adventure in Bugoma forest must be accompanied by a ranger guide with some emergency protective weapons in case need arises.

While moving in the forest when searching for the chimpanzees, you need to wear the recommended gear in colors that are wilderness including khaki, tan and others. Colors like blue, white and black may attract stinging insects including tsetse flies.

Personal security is very important for your safety so keep your belongings far from public access. Pack the first aid kit with relevant medication to use in case of an emergency. Try not to engage in unlawful activities during the Uganda safari that may violet the Ugandan laws.

Never enter Bugoma forest without an escorting ranger guide because you may encounter some animals that may hurt you like forest elephants.

Are chimpanzees in Bugoma forest Dangerous

Chimpanzees in Bugoma forest that are open for the trekking adventure are first habituated by researchers a process that takes an unknown time until the community is proved ready for public viewing. Every tourist is encouraged to follow the chimpanzee trekking rules as one of the measures used to prevent stimulating the moods of the chimpanzees. Using flash photography when with the chimpanzees is forbidden because they fear unfamiliar occurrences that happen in there environment.

When with the chimpanzees in Bugoma forest, tourists are requested to keep at least 8 meters from the chimpanzees to reduce on the chances of rubbing shoulders with these primates.

Chimpanzees may charge when agitated but you need to keep calm. Wait for the ranger guide to establish the cause of the matter then try to follow the plan he or she comes up with. Sometimes the chimpanzees may charge as they have territorial fights, fighting for supremacy or playing with each other. Tourists are requested not to panic upon seeing this but to stay calm.

When Is The Return Times From Chimpanzee Trekking In Bugoma Forest

The time you take on chimpanzee trekking safari in Bugoma forest is hard to determine. Some tourists have located the chimpanzees in two hours while other have spent more time but having patience is recommended. Keep busy by opening your mind to spotting other forest dwellers including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys pottos, l’hoest and others.

Finally when you locate the chimpanzees of Bugoma forest, one hour is allowed with them which you are advised to maximize to the best of your interests. The chimpanzee trekking time is regulated to one hour to allow these primates to go on with their daily activities which may be obstructed by humans' presence.

Having some energy bites to munch on as breakfast is taken too early to last the entire time when searching for the chimpanzees.

What Is The Age Limit For Chimpanzee Trekking In Budongo Forest

12 years and over is the age limit for chimpanzee trekking in Bugoma forest. The chimpanzees are mobile primates, which may require moving for some longer distance which children below this age may not withstand.

Chimpanzees love teasing their visitors which may rub wrongly with a child below 12 years causing him or her to reach in a manner that may cause the chimpanzees to run into hiding.

At a glance the look in the eyes of the chimpanzees is quite scary for first timers especially those below 12 years which may be bad for the entire experience as the chimpanzees may run into hiding.

Is A Tour to Do Chimpanzee Trekking In Bugoma Forest Worth the Time and money

The tour to do chimpanzee trekking in Bugoma forest is worth every penny and time. Chimpanzees are some of the highly endangered primates in the world and spending time with them is an opportunity to see them in their natural habitat. Elsewhere in the chimpanzees are preserved in cages and confinements which prevent them from expressing there natural characteristics and adopting human ways.

When you purchase the chimpanzees' trekking permits for Bugoma, you contribute to the conservation fund that supports the survival of these primates. The chimpanzees are facing habitat loss and more community sensitization programs need to be made but the funds are still meager. When you take photos of the chimpanzees in Bugoma forest and share them with others, you assist with promoting the presence of these primates so that more chances receiving visitors are created.

Is the chimpanzee trekking experience in Budongo Forest easy or difficult

The tour to find the chimpanzees in Bugoma forest is quite challenging because this is a jungle with some rough surfaces that may not rub well on your skin especially the stinging nettles. During the severe rainy seasons, the chimpanzees spend most of the time up in the canopy which requires using binoculars to properly spot them.

Bugoma forest is the areas’ water catchment spot abut when the rains fall, the river may flood logging the entire area and so making the search for the chimpanzees challenging.

When the vegetation along the trail on the forest overgrows, it obstructs the way especially the creepers that drape down the tree trunks.

In general the terrain of Bugoma forest is quite flat but covered with thick evergreen vegetation that may be hard to walk over sometimes. You need a machete to trim the protruding plants and create a path. Wearing the right chimpanzee safari gear for this adventure may save you from getting hurt as you traverse the forest in search for these primates. Carry a camera to keep memories of you experience in Bugoma forest.

What to Pack For Chimpanzee Trekking in Bugoma Forest

• A camera to keep photos of your Chimpanzee trekking experience. Chimpanzees are frightened by unfamiliar occurrences in their presence.
• Garden gloves in case you need to hold a tight grip when you tripe and fall while walking on the slippery slopes.
• Safari boots comfortable enough to walk through the soggy and slippery jungle.
• Safari hat with a foldable large brim to protect yourself from water dripping off the trees.
• A torch as lights may run low in the night. This area is served by solar energy mainly but less sunlight may be received sometimes.
• Insect repellant to keep away from buzzing insects in the jungle.
• Long trousers and shirt in wilderness friendly colors. The jungle has some rough surfaces that may hurt you in case you are dressed in body reviling attire.
• A pair of binoculars to get a clearer look at far ranging features especially the chimpanzees that love spending most of the time in the tree canopy.
• Backpack to carry with your Chimpanzee trekking gear so that they are not scattered in the wilderness.
• Flip flops to change into after the chimpanzee trek because you take much time in closed shoes or boots.
• Shoe bag to put in your shoes so that they do not stain your other items when repacking.
• Toiletries in case your lodge doesn’t provide as some may not reach well with your skin especially the soap, tooth paste and other supplies.
• Extra cash for on ground purchase as credit cards are not commonly used for transactions in Africa.
• First aid kit with emergency medication recommended by a professional in case need arises.
• Travel adaptor and charger in case your battery runs low on power
• Duffel bag that you can carry in case you get no assistance

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