Cost of chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi

The cost of chimpanzee trekking safaris to Kaniyo Pabidi forest in Murchison Falls National Park is preceded by the price of the chimpanzee permit. Currently the cost of the chimpanzee trekking permit for Kaniyo Pabidi is $ 160 per person per trek.

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Kaniyo Pabidi forest is situated in Murchison Falls National Park about 8 kilometers from Kicumbanyombo gate of the park. The Chimpanzees are the main occupants of this natural forest which is part of Murchison Falls National Park. Other primates also enjoy the freebies of Kaniyo Pabidi forest including Olive baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus and others.

A wide range of especially forest and water birds are residents of Kaniyo Pabidi forest including Albertine Rift endemics. Some of the birds you may find in this forest including Black headed Gonolek, Spotted morning Thrush, Chestnut Crowned Sparrows ad others.

Abundant wildlife, scenic landscape and the Murchison Falls from which the Murchison Falls National Park gets its name enhance the variety of birds in Kaniyo Pabidi forest. Get in touch for more information.

What in included and excluded in the cost of chimpanzee trekking permit for Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

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

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

Other costs likely to incur during the chimpanzee trek adventure to Kaniyo Pabidi forest include

Accommodation costs which may range from approximately $50 to about $400. Accommodations used for safaris in Murchison Falls National Park are the ones used and categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic.

Murchison Falls National Park accommodations Paraa safari lodge, Nile Safari lodge, Murchison River lodge, Barker’s lodge, Sambiya lodge, Red Chillis Campsite

Transport costs to Kaniyo Pabidi forest in Murchison Falls National Park including vehicle hire, driver guide fee, gas costs, mechanical expenses where necessary and others

When is the best time To do a chimpanzee trekking Safari in Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

The best time to do a chimpanzee trekking safari in Kaniyo Pabidi forest is when you are ready because Murchison Falls National Park is open for all safari activities all year. For more excitement during the chimpanzee trekking adventure in this Park, the dry season is most preferred. The dry season which is normally June to October and December to January is most sought after.

During the dry season, more tourists book to do chimpanzee trekking safari in different destinations in Uganda. The demand for chimpanzee safaris in Uganda is not retaliated with an increase in chimpanzee permit supply which creates high competition for the few opened to the public.

Even other services that support tourism in Uganda during the high season are competed for in this season creating do to be in the safe side, one needs to do advance reservation. Some of these logistics include accommodation, transport and others.

The wet season is also great time to do chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi forest even though the chimpanzees keep up in the tree canopy most of the time. The forest ground is usually wet since less sunray penetration is allowed through the dense canopy to the ground. The wet season in Murchison Falls National Park is normally March to May and November

Is Chimpanzee Trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi Forest Safe

The security of Kaniyo Pabidi forest is managed by ranger guides trained by Uganda Wildlife Authority. The ranger guides are in ground to keep the park premises protected and the inhabitants including the visitors. Other Uganda security agencies are on ground to give a hand to the security of Murchison Falls where need arises.

Tourists are requested to adhere to the rules of chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi forest including not shouting when with the chimpanzees, no using Flash photography and others. Every tourist must attend briefing before the chimpanzee trekking starts in order to get the details of how to behave when within the forest.

No tourists is allowed to enter Kaniyo Pabidi forest without a ranger guide to prevent any possible uncertainties. Do not carry your precious valuables during the Chimpanzee trek adventure especially if you are afraid of losing them. Security while on Uganda safari starts with you.

Are Chimpanzees In Kaniyo Pabidi Forest Dangerous Or Calm

The chimpanzees in Kaniyo Pabidi forest were habituated first before opening them to the public. This process helps the chimpanzees to get used to the presence of humans without altering their nature. 

In order not to look suspicious before the chimpanzees, tourists are given guidelines that have been proved by the Uganda Wildlife Authority as applicable for the time allowed with the chimpanzees. Violating the rules of chimpanzee trekking may end in getting disqualified from attending this activity with no refund.

While traversing the forest, tourists are requested to follow the trails constructed by regular visitors on chimpanzee safari and other activities in the forest. This avoids chances of ending on the unsafe paths in the forest.

In case you see some odd behavior amongst the chimpanzees, do not panic because you may send the wrong signal to the already suspicious chimpanzees. Sometimes they act in a way to tease their visitors, may have a family feud so wait for the ranger guide to provide what to do next.

How To Get To Kaniyo Pabidi Forest In Murchison Falls National Park

From Kampala the distance to Murchison Falls National Park is about 5 and a half hours to 6 hours without stopovers the carry on 8 kilometers from Kicubanyombo gate. The distance from Kampala or Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park is about 305 kilometers. 

Domestic daily flights from Kajjansi or Entebbe Airport are available for those who wish to take less time traveling to Murchison Falls National Park. Charter flights services are available too for more private travel to Murchison Falls National Park.

How Sure Can I Be To See The Chimpanzees In Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

There are 98% chances of finding the chimpanzees in Kaniyo Pabidi forest on Murchison Falls National Park. The chimpanzees in this park live freely in the forest with nothing to prohibit them from heading to any part of the forest but be sure to find them.

The chimpanzees never shut up when feeding so you may locate them by their murmuring sounds which they use as a means of communication. The chimpanzees also beat the tree trunks to alert others of your presence in the forest.

Each day, a team of ranger guides patrol the forest to establish their possible hangout spot for the day. The report given by the early risers is the direction used by the rangers to lead tourists to where the chimpanzees may be expected to be.

Tourists are requested to look carefully for some clues left behind by the chimpanzees like foot prints, fresh dung, freshly chewed vegetation to mention but a few.

Is Chimpanzee Trekking In Kaniyo Pabidi Forest Easy Or Hard

The topography of Kaniyo Pabidi forest is fairly flat with less difficulty other than the thick vegetation that overgrows to cover the trails in the forest. The ranger guide with a machete normally trims the creepers on the tree trunks to open the way.

Tracing the chimpanzees may be the puzzle in the forest as they tend to move into the deeper ends of the forest especially during the severe dry season as they search for new feeding grounds for the community.

Taking photos while on Kaniyo Pabidi forest may be easier because the forest canopy is not too dense and more sunlight get down to the ground especially in the dry season.

The chimpanzees on Kaniyo Pabidi are often visited which keeps them accustomed to human presence so may not run away into hiding upon seeing you, but carry on with their daily activities. Tourists must observe the rules and regulations of chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda.

Who Can Visit The Chimpanzees Of Kaniyo Pabidi Forest In Murchison Falls National Park

Children aged 12 and over are the only ones allowed to visit the chimpanzees in Uganda as recommended by Uganda Wildlife Authority.

In case one catches a communicable infection before the chimpanzee trekking adventure he or she is requested to volunteer and stay behind because the chimpanzees are highly susceptible to human infections of this kind like flue, cough, covid-19 and others.

Visiting the chimpanzees in the wilderness is one of the ways to support the funds that used to conserve the habitats where these primates thrive. One of the biggest problems in the world that have led to the extinction of some species in the world is habitant loss even human encroachment on these habitats. The chimpanzees of Kaniyo Pabidi are under the management of CSWCT which is a Jane Goodall initiative.

What Else To Do In Murchison Falls National Park Other Than Chimpanzee Trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi Forest.

Game Safaris in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is a game rich destination in Uganda a stretch of River Nile. During the game drive on the tracks within this park following tracks like Buligi trail you may encounter animals like lions, leopards, waterbucks, giraffes, buffaloes, hartebeests and others.

Launch cruise to Murchison Falls

After a game drive in the scorching sun of Murchison Falls National Park, taking a launch cruise on River Nile would be that relaxing moment. This launch trip starts from the pier at Paraa and as you sail, looking over to the shores for a number of animals that make their way to the riverside. In the water, you encounter hippos and crocodiles that are common residents in the River Nile water.

You start feeling a change in the water turbulence of the boat from the effect of the water that flows down the falls to the bottom of the rift valley to carry on with its course. Before forming the Murchison Falls, River Nile races 80 kilometers over a bed of rocks over which it staggers and pushes through the 6 meters wide gorge to burst out vigorously forming a cloudy appearance.

Later River Nile cascades 43 meters down the cliff to get to the bottom of the rift valley.

Birding in Murchison Falls National Park

The rich birdlife of Murchison Falls is incredible with over 350 bird species recorded. Some of the birds in Murchison Falls National Park include Vitelline Masked  Weavers, Black  headed Gonolek, Green winged Pytilia, Chestnut Crowned Sparrow Weavers and others.

What To Park For A Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

• No provoking the chimpanzees because you are not sure of their reaction towards what you do.
• Keep a distance of about 8 meters from the chimpanzees so as to reduce on the chances of passing an infection to these chimpanzees.
• Never eat while in front of the chimpanzees because they may grab it from you and eat it, they are wild animals that must search their own food.
• Using flash photography is forbidden because the chimpanzees are very sensitive with new occurrences in their presence. They may dash for the forest.
• Spitting on vegetation is not a great idea because it is the food for the chimpanzees and may contaminate it too.
•  In case you catch any communicable infection, volunteer to stay behind so that its not passed to these primates.
• Never enter the forest without an escorting ranger guide because you do not know what you may encounter like the forest elephants are dangerous, giant forest hogs and others
• Children 12 and below are not allowed to do chimpanzee habituation because they may not be in a position to follow some instructions of chimpanzee habituation.
• One hour is allowed in the presence of the chimpanzees when you locate them. The chimpanzees are habituated for one hour as a conservation measure.
• If you wish to take along call, as the ranger guide to dig a whole for you and cover everything beyond recognition.

For more information, contact our team.