Adventure awaits, Travel awaits, and Nature can’t wait to rejuvenate us. Yes, you should now think of your next destination, you’re next amazing activities and a beautiful vacation after COVID-19. Have you trekked chimpanzees before? Have you travelled to Uganda before? This is the best time for your return after COVID-19.  Visiting Uganda for the first time is one of the incredible experiences you will have after COVID-19.

Our visitors all over the world are struggling with the effects of various restrictions imposed by governments to stem the spread of COVID-19, including Airport closures, border closures, and restrictions on international flights, travel bans and lockdowns. In the face of these events, we are communicating with all our clients through emails and our staff is working from home as a measure to control COVID-19. Our focus now is when to travel and see the chimpanzees, of course after COVID-19, we shall travel normally and we need to plan now.

Uganda registered its first case of COVID-19 on 21st March 2020 and to date, Uganda has 54 confirmed COVID-19 cases and with four people who have recovered. Since then, The Airport and all Uganda borders were closed for inbound travel, Primate Tourism was suspended, Transport was suspended as a measure to control the virus spread until 5th May 2020. All measures have been put in place to prevent spread and the situation is being handled. Personal responsibility is very important after COVID-19 for a great healthy adventure.

About chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.

Uganda in terms of primate tourism is known as the Primate capital having about 20 primate species within Kibale National Park containing the highest density in all of Africa. Chimpanzees are the second famous primates after the Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzee trekking refers to seeing the chimpanzees in their natural environment, the trek in the forest is adventurous and you will visit the habituated chimpanzee community as they move, feed and rest. Depending on luck, you will also be able to see other primates like the monkeys, forest Elephants (depends on Luck), snakes, birds and other animals that are habitants of the forest.

Chimpanzee trekking is only done Kibale national park, Kalinzu forest, and Kyambura and Budongo forest reserve. Chimpanzee trekking activity is managed by Uganda wildlife Authority, Trekking starts early morning with guides and rangers walk you to the forest to find the chimpanzees, trek involves walking through the forest, on rough or even slippery ground until you see the chimpanzees with the help of the park guides and wardens, the trek is between 30minutes to hours but very enjoyable.  In Uganda, you have 99% chance of seeing the chimpanzees and you are only allowed to stay and view the chimpanzees for only one hour. The chimpanzees are very interesting to watch as they are believed to be relatives to humans with 95% human DNA.

Why trek chimpanzees in Uganda after COVID-19?

Are you planning after COVID-19? Here are some of the reasons for you to also trek chimpanzees as part of your experience in Uganda.

Easy accessibility to chimpanzee hotspots in Uganda.

Chimpanzee trekking areas in Uganda can easily be accessed by air or road transport. You can fly to Queen Elizabeth National park at Kasese Airstrip and trek chimpanzees in Kyambura and Kibale National park. It is only 2 hours’ drive from Kasese Airstrip to Kibale and about 30 minutes to Kyambura gorge. You can also opt for a road trip to Kibale National park/ Kyambura gorge from Entebbe/Kampala for approximately 4-5 hours. You can fly to Pakuba Airstrip in Murchison falls national park to do chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest reserve and you can as well have a road trip of about 4-5hours.

Chimpanzee permits cost relatively cheap

Though the cost of gorilla permits in Uganda is USD700 per person per trek, Chimpanzee permits are more relatively cheap and affordable. For the chimpanzee trekking permit for Kibale National Park, they cost USD200 per person per trek for Non-Foreign Residents, USD150 per person for East African Residents and Uganda shillings 150.000 per person for East African Citizens. Chimpanzee permits for Kyambura Gorge cost USD50 for both Non-Foreign Residents and East African Residents and Uganda shillings 30,000 for East African Residents. Chimpanzee Permits for Budongo Forest Reserve in Murchison falls National Park cost USD100 per person for Non- Foreign Residents, USD 90 per person for Residents and USD55 per person for East African Citizens. The permits can be secured from Uganda wildlife Authority and we shall send you scans of the receipt after the purchase for your records and perusal. Contact us

Discounted chimpanzee trekking Packages                 

Encounter Africa safaris has developed more discounted packages of chimpanzee trekking tours. Even other tour operators have are likely to put out more competitive rates so as to recover for the lost months. Our normal 3-day chimpanzee trekking to Kibale costs USD1000 al inclusive for one person and USD800 for 2 people during post-COVID-19 this will cost you only USD800 for one person and then USD700 for 2 people, Visit our website for the trip ideas for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda after COVID-19, We shall tailor your interests and budget for you to have an amazing experience in Uganda.

Discounted accommodation room rates

After COVID-19, most accommodation facilities are offering discounts to recover from the losses and cancellations made, some of the Hotel have already started giving discounts like Kyaninga Lodge a luxury which has offer USD100 per person stay for African residents and they many revise the rates further. Lodges in Kibale Forest National, Budongo, Kalinzu and Kyambura gorge range from budget to luxury, in Kibale national park Budget options, include Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, Isunga Lodge, Kibale Homestay among others fares range from 90-100 dollars a night per person, mid-range options include Kibale Forest Camp, Turaco Treetops Lodge, Luxury options include Ndali Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge among others fares range from 200-400 dollars a night per person,  in Kyambura, you can stay at Elephant Hab lodge as the budget option,  Katara lodge and Kyambura gorge lodge and in Budongo forest reserve, you can stay at Budongo eco-lodge, Bakers lodge and Murchison river lodge among others. All these are likely to offer the best offers to attract tourists visiting Kibale Forest national park to stay at their facilities.

The best practices for Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda after COVID-19.

For travellers interested and planning to go for Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda after the coronavirus, there are many health guidelines and recommendations that have been set by World Health Organization, Ministry of health, and Uganda wildlife Authority.

Make sure you travel with your Certificate of COVID-19 free that you will be able to present at the Airport and park headquarters. On your visit to see the chimpanzees in Uganda, We request you to abide with the following Chimpanzee Trekking Rules (as set out in the printed leaflet by the Uganda Wildlife Authority ‘Chimpanzee Rules’).

Before setting off for the Chimpanzee trek in the post COVID-19

• You will be requested to sanitize and wash your hands before you start the walk to the forest.
• Do not visit the Chimpanzees if you have a cold or other infectious illness. This will be determined by the head park ranger and he/she has a right to stop you from joining the trek, so before you travel to the park you should always first check with your doctor to confirm your health is okay for the Chimpanzee trek.
• Note that the Minimum age for trekking chimpanzees is 12 years and above; this is always confirmed during sign in for the chimpanzee trek where you will be required to show your original passport for verification to be allowed to go for the Chimpanzee trek.
• Human waste should be buried 30cm (12”) deep; this is always guided by the park ranger during your trek that will dig a hole for you to dispose of the waste.
• The maximum number of visitors is eight persons per chimpanzee group, this eases control of the movements in the forest as well reduces on the behavioural disturbances of the chimpanzees during the encounter.

On the way to the Chimpanzees:

• It is advised to keep your voices low. You will also have a chance to spot various bird species and other wild animals and if keen enough you will see some reptiles.
• DO NOT leave rubbish in the park. Whatever you bring into the forest should be carried back out in your backpack with you.
• When you approach the Chimpanzees, the guides will inform you to get ready for the amazing encounter and to keep a distance of 5-7 meters

When you are with the Chimpanzees:

• Maintain a 7m (21ft) distance from the chimps, this helps avoid transmitting the airborne diseases to the Chimpanzees.
• Smoking, eating and drinking are not permitted. This may incite the Chimpanzees to attack you and grab them.
• If you must sneeze or cough cover your face and turn away from the Chimpanzees, as they can catch coughs and colds from humans
• Visits are limited to one hour per Chimpanzee group per day
• Do not use flash photography when taking pictures you are also recommended to take care and follow the advice of your ranger guide.

Why book chimpanzee trek in Uganda with Encounter Africa safaris?

Encounter Africa safaris organizes chimpanzee permits and tours for both Uganda and Rwanda and you should not miss on this important experience to see the endangered primates. You can participate in both chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation in any of our chimpanzee hot spots in Uganda after COVID-19. Book your birthday, Honeymoon, Anniversary vacation with your loved ones to see the chimpanzees in their natural environment. Kindly check travellers reviews about us on Trip advisor and Safari booking for more information about trips we have conducted previously. As Encounter Africa safaris, we shall tailor a trip for you for a memorable time while in Uganda.