Extra chimp permits-requesting for more chimpanzee permits
It is now possible to request for extra chimp permits from Uganda wildlife authority to make sure that your clients get to trek chimpanzees in Uganda. There is an outlined and well laid down guideline or procedure that has to be followed if one is to acquire extra chimpanzee permits just in case one needs them. Chimpanzee trekking is the second-best primate activity in Uganda. Of course, gorilla trekking comes in number one followed by chimp trekking and then the rest follow. Encounter Africa safaris organize safaris that involves visiting wild chimpanzees in their natural habitats at an affordable cost. There several national parks and forests where one can trek wild chimpanzees and these include Kibale National Park, Kyambura gorge, Budongo and Karinzu forest.
Requesting extra chimp permits from UWA
In recent times, Uganda wildlife authority has relaxed its booking process sometimes to allow tour operators to request for extra chimp permits in case of need. All those interested in getting additional chimpanzee permits have to follow a specific procedure and terms and conditions apply. One of the requirements for one to apply for extra chimpanzee permit(s) is that you must have booked several permits on the same date and must prove this by attaching a receipt. Once you prove this, then you will go to the next step of this procedure. If you have any questions about this, do not hesitate to contact us.
You will be required to write a formal letter to the executive director at Uganda wildlife authority informing him of your desire for more chimp permits on a specified date where you have permits already booked. In this letter, you must specify the reason why you need these extra permits and the date when these permits are required. You will also be requested to attach a receipt of permits previously bought as proof that indeed you have permits on this date but would like to add more. Once this letter is received, the executive director may decide to honour or reject your request. If your request is approved, you will then go ahead and make payment for the same and then qualify for these permits.
Why do companies request extra permits?
There is one of the major reason why tour operators or groups of travellers may request for extra chimp permits to trek chimpanzees in Kibale National Park or Kyambura gorge well knowing that that very day of trekking is fully booked. Chimp permits just like gorilla permits are usually booked in advance to avoid losing out, and because of this, they tend to sell out limiting one to add on the already held permits. However and sometimes, the size of the group of people booked for chimp trekking may increase in size necessitating the need for more chimp permits. When this need arises, the first thing to do is to check availability of chimp permits, and if UWA has some, you can go ahead and buy, but in a situation where chimpanzee permits are sold out, you may request for more permits by writing to the executive director.
What are the chances that your request will be granted?
Chances that your request for extra chimp permits will be granted is 50-50 because this is something Uganda wildlife Authority would like to discourage. You will have to depend on the mercy of the executive director since extra permits mean that the carrying capacity of a given chimpanzee community or party will be exceeded to accommodate more people on the trek. To avoid this, companies are encouraged to buy more permits if, for example, the booking is for a big group. By doing this, you will have no reason as to why you should request more chimp permits. If it so happens that you have few people booked for your group, you are then free to reschedule some of the permits to another date.
How many extra permits can I be given?
We will insist that there is no guarantee that Uganda wildlife authority will issue these extra chimp permits and if they are to do so, they may allow you one or two extra permit in addition to the ones you already have booked. As expected, Uganda wildlife does not do this all the time. Usually, a company can request for an extra permit once a year and UWA expects all companies to book and buy enough permits for their clients in advance to avoid asking for more permits. Are you a travel agent looking to bring big groups to Uganda? Look nowhere as Encounter Africa safaris is ready to assist you in organizing a memorable chimp trekking experience.
Where to see chimpanzees in Uganda.
Uganda is one of the best countries to see wild and habituated chimpanzees in the whole world. There several places where one can see chimps in Uganda and these include Kibale forest national park, Budongo forest, Kyambura gorge and Karinzu. All those interested in visiting and viewing Kibale and Kyambura chimps must book their chimpanzee permits at Uganda wildlife authority in advance as they tend to sell out quickly. Those interested in trekking Budongo and Karinzu chimps must contact an agent assigned by National Forest Authority to do that job. For Budongo, all chimp permits are handled by Uganda Lodges on behalf of National Forest Authority.
Booking Uganda Chimpanzee permits
All those interested in trekking chimpanzees in Uganda must possess a permit. Chimpanzee permits for Kyambura gorge and Kibale National Park are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority and must be booked in advance. To book your chimp permit, you will need to send us your exact dates when you intend to see chimps in Uganda. We will then check availability and then get back to you with what is possible. If you book your permits with Encounter Africa safaris, we will at this stage reserve them and send you an invoice. Uganda Wildlife Authority system allows all registered tour operators to access and reserve permits for up to 7 working days. Encounter Africa safaris is a fully registered and licensed tour operator and is eligible for this.
After reserving your permit on the UWA system, we will send you an invoice with our bank details for you to effect payment on our bank account. Encounter Africa safaris accept both credit/debit card payments as well as bank transfers. Once payment is made, we will then withdraw the money from our bank account and pay for your chimp permit at UWA. When payment is made at Uganda wildlife authority, we will be given a receipt which we will scan and send to you as proof that your chimp permit has been paid and firmed up.
Encounter Africa safaris organize big group and private tours to trek chimps, among other things to do, and we do this with passion. We have tours that involve chimp trekking here. Should you need tailor-made safaris or more information about booking extra or more chimpanzee permits, do not hesitate to contact us on email or phone.
