Cost Of Chimpanzee Trekking In Kalinzu Forest
April 1, 2025
The cost of chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest is proceeded by the cost of the chimpanzee trekking permits which currently cost $ 130 for foreign nonresidents and $65 for foreign residents. The cost of other logistics that support chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest varies with category. Some of the necessary logistics that may support a tour to Kalinzu forest include accommodation costs, transport costs, driver guide hire and others
3 Day Murchison Falls National Park safari
2 Day Lake Mburo game & Boat safari
3 Day Lake Mburo wildlife, boat & walking safari
4 Day Kidepo Valley Fly in Safari
3 Day Queen Elizabeth wildlife safari
3 Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking safari
16 Days Primates, Game & Culture
3 Day Fly in Gorilla Habituation Safari
Kalinzu forest is situated on the floor of the Rift Valley on the border of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Western Uganda. The Management of Kalinzu forest is under National Forest Authority in conjunction with Uganda Wildlife Authority. In Kalinzu forest there are several chimpanzee communities but the forest has a population of approximately 200 chimpanzees that.
The chimpanzees of Kalinzu forest are mainly used for research but may be opened to chimpanzee trekking especially in the high tourism season when Kyambura gorge chimpanzee permits sell out yet demand for chimpanzee trekking experience is still high. Kalinzu forest is part of an extensive system of contiguous protected areas including Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, Kibale National Park and others.
The experience of chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest involves hiking in to find the chimpanzees that live in the forested area but the ground is not leveled. Some level of fitness is necessary before finding these primates. Contact us for more information.
The cost of the chimpanzee permit for Kalinzu forest includes the one hour with the chimpanzee, ranger guide fees, security, chimpanzee conservation support and other costs.
Exclusions in the cost of Kalinzu chimpanzee trekking permit tips, park entrance fees, accommodation and other personal expenses.
From Kampala the distance to Queen Elizabeth National Park is about 420 Kilometers via Mbarara route. An alternative route is via Fort Portal at a distance of 410 kilometers to Queen Elizabeth National Park from Kampala.
Daily domestic flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi to Mweya or Kasese are available daily for those that do not wish to spend alit of time on the road. These flights sometime sell out especially in the high season.
Charter flight services are available for those who wish to have exclusive and private travel during the Uganda safari.
Chimpanzee trekking is best done in the dry season which is normally June to September and December to Mid-January. The trails in the forest are drier and quick to explore. Based on the topography of Kalinzu forest which is on the floor of the rift valley some have to hike to get to where the chimpanzees are likely to be. Most of the forest dwellers in Kalinzu forest are full of life and can be seen moving around as they search for food including the chimpanzee communities.
The demand for chimpanzee trekking permits to Kalinzu forest may be high in the peak season and so you need to reserve one in advance to avoid getting disappointed at the last minute.
The logistics that support tourism in Uganda are on high demand in the peak season including transport (vehicle hire, driver guide and fuel or gas), accommodations and others. It is safer and comfortable to book the relevant logistics in advance to prevent last minute panic.
During the low tourism season, chimpanzee trekking safaris in Kalinzu forest are open too but to mainly researchers and students who wish to spend extra time with these primates. In Case you wish to do the chimpanzees trekking safari in Kalinzu forest while on safari in Uganda, you must book the permit in advance so that your presence is recognized and well catered for.
The management of Kalinzu forest where these chimpanzees live is under two major conservation bodies of Uganda who works closely to conserve and protect these endangered primates. The National Forest Authority (NFA) and Uganda wildlife Authority (UWA) are owning the security of this forest.
On ground, there are rules set for the conservation of chimpanzees while you trek to find them. No making noise when with the chimpanzees because you may scare them and cause a stampede in the forest.
Every chimpanzee trekking safari in Kalinzu forest has to be with the lead of a ranger guide who carries some protective gears. No tourists is allowed to move in Kalinzu forest without an escorting ranger guide or may encounter some dangerous forest inhabitants. The ranger guide follows the pace of the slowest tourist so that no one is forgotten in the jungle.
For the safety of your property, keep them away from public access and try not to engage in activities that are deemed unlawful in Uganda or you may end up in prison or pay a hefty penalty.
The chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest are habituated to human presence first before opening them to the public for a time that is sufficient enough to enable they to stay before different humans. When you finally locate the chimpanzees they may pretend not to mind your presence but they are very careful with every intruder in there vicinity.
Tourists are allowed one hour with the chimpanzees which is expected to be used to the maximally however, you may try to unknowing do things that may rub wrongly with the chimpanzees and push them into hiding.
Even though the chimpanzees may appear calm, they can charge when provoked. When the chimpanzees charge, they may show signs like hooting, beating the tree trunks, pull grass around them and much more.
Do not panic upon seeing such odd behavior but wait for the guidelines from the ranger guide in your company who has better knowledge about the behavior of these primates. Try to imitate the actions he or she directs you to do so as to claim the situation. The chimpanzees normally run into the deeper ends of the forest if they notice some strange behavior yet one hour is allowed with them.
The accommodations to book for a chimpanzee trekking safari in Kalinzu forest include facilities in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Accommodations of Queen Elizabeth National Park are categorized into upmarket,mid-range and basic. From these accommodations in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may drive to
Accommodations of Queen Elizabeth National Park include Mweya Safari Lodge, Jacana Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Bush Lodge, king fisher’s Lodge, Elephants Plain Lodge, Simba Safari Camp

The return time after chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest is hard to determine because you are not sure of when to find these very mobile primates. Some tourists have located the chimpanzees of Kalinzu forest in two hours while others may spend more time however some level of patience is necessary.
Finding the chimpanzees of Kalinzu forest may depend on factors like food location, weather conditions of the day, mood in the forest, paces of fellow tourists and others. Having some level of fitness also helps you to persist when searching for these primates.
Upon finding the chimpanzees only one hour is allowed with them as a conservation measure to allow them go about their daily life. The presence of humans disrupts the day today activities of the chimpanzees yet they have to live a normal life.
The cost of the chimpanzee trekking experience in Kalinzu forest is worth the time and money because you get to spend time with some of the few endangered primates in the world. Chimpanzees have a close resemblance to some human characters and to fully enjoy this, you need to visit their natural habitats
When you purchase the chimpanzee permit, you contribute to the conservation fund that supports the existence of these primates. The cost of the chimpanzee permit includes the conservation fund that is used to support this work and research. Visiting the chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest is a noble act
At Encounter Africa Safaris, we encourage our tourists to generously tip those who extend a fantastic service to them and the ranger guide of Kalinzu forest may be those lucky providers. They use the tips to support their lives and families and so the rangers have to better the way they present there work.
Other than chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest, one can do birding in this forest. A number of birds flock Kalinzu forest especially the forest birds to enjoy it natural environment. While on a chimpanzee trekking tour in this park, you may get the chance to do birding in this park too.
Kalinzu Forest is in the same protected area with Queen Elizabeth National Park so one can plan to add some of the activities in this park to this chimpanzee trekking itinerary.
During the game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may get the chance to spot a range of wild animals including lions, herds of Buffaloes, Waterbucks, bushbucks, elephants, hyenas, warthogs and other occupants. The Northern Kazinga area is the prime game safari area of Queen Elizabeth National Park and several animals usually make their way to the shore to take a bath and cool off the day’s heat.
Driving in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park the Ishasha sector opens chances to find the tree climbing lions that spend time in the fig trees, topis and others.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge is always one of the best encounters you can choose during a Uganda safari. These primates live on the floor of the rift valley in a 100 meters deep forested gorge that was formed by the erosion of River Kyambura as it eroded to make its way towards the Kazinga channel.
A community of chimpanzees lives in this gorge with other primates including olive baboons and others.
The Kazinga channel is the congregation point for a number of wild animals that come from especially the northern part of this park. During the launch trip, you may get the chance to see these animals as they enjoy the environment and supplies along the banks. The hippos and crocodiles are obvious residents of the channel.
For more information about the cost of chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu, please contact us.

EARLY BIRD SAFARI DISCOUNTS FOR 2026-27
Take a budget gorilla trip into Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to trek mountain gorillas and stay in low-cost camps and gorilla lodges.
We care about the communities and environment we take our travellers to. Sustainable travel will keep us in business, so we have a responsible travel policy. Take a look!.
Follow our community blog and keep up-to-date with travel news that will help you plan your safari trip
Our Safari consultants are ready to answer all your questions. Kindly fill out the form below, and we will respond to you as soon as possible
Read the real stories and experiences shared by fellow travellers who've travelled with Encounter Africa Safaris.
Our Safari consultants are ready to answer all your questions. Kindly fill out the form below, and we will respond to you as soon as possible