
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest: Budongo forest is the biggest mahogany forest in east Africa and is also one of the best chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda. Budongo forest is approximately located on the escarpment northeast of Lake Albert at the top of the Albertine rift valley, southern part of Murchison falls national park in Uganda. Budongo forest is known for harboring 24 mammal species including the primate chimpanzees, black and white monkey, olive baboon. The forest is also home to over 360 bird species, 290 butterflies, 130 moths and also 450 tree species among others. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest is an exciting activity that allows travelers to move on foot in to he forest in search of the endangered primates and when are found you are given an hour to spend with them in their environment. Chimpanzee trekking is not only done at Budongo forest but is also done in kibale national park at kyambura, gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park, kalinzu forest and semuliki wildlife reserve.
The Real experience of Chimpanzees
Chimpanzee tracking starts very early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters about the rule and regulations to follow during the trekking process. After the briefing travelers are divided into groups of 6 six people and start trekking deep in to the forest searching for the habituated chimpanzee families in their natural habits. Chimpanzee trekking takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on where these primates are located because these primates like moving a lot in search of food. During the trekking travelers are also given a chance to view other primates like blue monkeys, black and white monkeys, red trailed monkeys, olive baboons and also tourist are able to view different bird species, trees among others. Once these chimpanzees are located travelers are given an hour to spend with them in their natural habits hence learning more about their lifestyle behaviors, watch them feeding playing, fighting, breastfeeding among others, Travelers are also given a chance to take photo with these chimpanzees and also record videos to show family back home after the safari.
Budongo forest also offers chimpanzee habituation experience an activity where the wild chimpanzees are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Chimpanzee trekking is Budongo forest is mainly done during low season in months of March to may to allow travelers to spend 4 hours with these chimpanzees. During the process you will be able to watch these chimpanzees carry out their daily routine behaviors.
Costing of chimpanzee trekking permits in Budongo forest
Chimpanzee trekking permit is the only ticket which can allows you to practice this activity, The permit is only issued by the government of Uganda through ‘’UWA’’ and you can get it at the UWA headquarters in Kampala or at the park headquarters. The permit is only issued to visitors above the age of 15 years allowing them to visit the chimpanzees in their natural habits. The Foreign residents will have to pay 130 USD per person to see the chimpanzees while East African citizens will have to pay 85 USD per person for East African citizen
When to go for chimpanzee trekking In Budongo forest
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest can e done through out the year but the best season is during the dry season also known as the high season in the month of June to September and December to February. During the dry is there is little rain fall in the forest and also tree leaves are drier which make clear view to the visitors to watch these animals and also the roads are passable compared to the rainy season were roads are slippery hence making trekking difficult.
Where to stay during chimpanzee trekking activity in Murchison falls national park
There are several accommodation facilities in the park depending on your budget from the midrange, luxury to offer to the visitors who visit the park. These facilities include Eco lodge, new court view hotel, sambiya River lodge, paraa safari lodge, Chobe safari lodges, fort Murchison lodges, boomu women’s lodges, kabalega resort hotel Geo lodges among others.
How to reach Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park
Budongo forest can is located in Murchison falls national park a can be accessed by both road and air transport means. By road one can drive from Kampala from one pass via Hoima Road o Masindi where the park headquarters are located. By air transport Budongo forest can be accessed when one book a schedule from charter flights Entebbe international airport or kajjansi airfield to either pakuba, Chobe or Bugungu airfield and then connect to Budongo forest road using a tour operate.
Besides Budongo forest, travelers may opt to go chimp trekking in Kibale forest national park which is refered to as capital of primates, Kalinzu forest, Kyambura gorge in Uganda and Nyungwe forest national park in Rwanda.