Chimpanzee trekking permits are legal documents chimpanzee tracking visitors must have in order to be assigned to a habituated chimpanzee community in Uganda. In Uganda, chimpanzee trekking is best conducted in Kibale Forest National Park, Kalinzu Forest and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest-Murchison Falls National Park.
Permits for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda are issued to eligible trekkers of 12 years and above. A total of about 5050 Eastern chimpanzees exist in Uganda and a significant section of them have been already habituated for tourism purposes.
Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda.
The cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda varies from destination to destination. Kibale chimpanzee tracking permits are issued out to 3 categories of visitors at different rates; FNR – Foreign Non Residents pay USD200 per person, FR – Foreign Residents – USD 150 and EAC / East Africa citizens UGX 150,000.
If Budongo Forest your is dream chimpanzee trekking destination, chimpanzee permits are available for booking at USD 90 for FNR – Foreign Non Residents and Foreign Residents. USD50 (Foreign Non Residents & Foreign Residents) for Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee tracking and UGX 30,000 for citizens. Permits for chimpanzee habituation in Kibale National Park cost USD250 applying to both Foreign Residents and Foreign Non Residents then East African citizens UGX150000.
Booking for a Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Permit?
Chimpanzee permits and chimpanzee trekking safaris can be booked through an expert tour operator or through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Reach out to our reservation team to book your chimpanzee permits, not only in Uganda but also Rwanda and Tanzania. Details needed will be the date of travel, chimpanzee destination you plan to visit. After making payments, a permit will be acquired and scanned copies sent to you as confirmation.
When is the best time to book a Chimpanzee Trekking Permit in Uganda?
Chimpanzee trekking permits can be reserved any time of the year by holidaymakers on Uganda safari. But the best time to book chimpanzee permit and travel for chimpanzee trekking is during the dry season beginning from June to September and December to February. Whether it is during the dry season or wet season, the best is to ensure that you have your chimpanzee permit booked early at least 2-3 months before actual date of tracking chimpanzees in any destination in Uganda.
The dry season offers the most favorable conditions for trekkers to enjoy their trek to see chimpanzees in Uganda. The wet or rainy season often comes with heavy rains and low turn up of visitors making it the best for budget visitors to enjoy chimpanzee trek in Uganda.
Uganda chimpanzee trekking experience.
There are 2 significant chimpanzee trekking sessions for holidaymakers to explore and experience more about the endangered chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The 2 sessions are; the morning chimpanzee trek starting at 8:00am and afternoon chimpanzee tracking beginning from 2:00pm, these last for 2-4 hours and includes one hour of face to face encounter with chimpanzees.
The overall chimpanzee trekking experience includes observing chimpanzees, learn how they breastfeed, play, feed, taking photos, how they defend themselves etc. After the engaging one hour with chimpanzees, visitors on chimpanzee trek can return to their places of stay. While on a Uganda chimpanzee trekking holiday, it is possible to undertake a 3 day Kibale National Park safari, 5 days Uganda chimpanzee tracking tour etc.
Packing for Uganda chimpanzee trekking.
Other than securing chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda, the other essential items you should consider on your packing list for chimp trek include camera, insect repellents, long sleeved shirts, daypack which should be waterproof, sunglasses, first aid kit, safari hat, and long trousers.
