Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest.: Finding the chimpanzees in the forest by foot and spending an hour with them in their natural environment is the main activity that draws a lot of tourists to Budongo Forest. The largest tropical rainforest in Murchison Falls National Park is called Budongo Forest.
The 826 square kilometer forest is home to a variety of fauna, including 464 tree species, 300 butterfly species, 355 bird species, and 24 mammal species. More than 600 chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, grey-checked mangabeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and olive baboons are among the nine species of primates that call Budongo Forest home.
Trekking chimpanzees in Budongo jungle
An interesting activity in Budongo Forest is chimpanzee trekking, which begins with a training at the tourist center regarding the guidelines to be followed when walking. Following the briefing, you will be paired with a knowledgeable park guide and begin hiking along the forest’s well-traveled paths.
Because chimpanzees prefer to roam around in search of food, trekking in Budongo Forest is divided into two sessions: the morning session, which begins at 8:00 am, and the afternoon session, which begins at around 2:00 pm. Each session lasts anywhere from thirty minutes to four hours, depending on the chimpanzees’ location.
You can see several bird species, vegetation, and other primates like olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys while trekking. You will be permitted to spend an hour with the habituated chimpanzees in their natural habitat after they have been located. During this time, you will be able to observe the chimpanzees as they play, eat, nurse, hunt, mate, fight, groom their young, and rest, among other activities.
Chimpanzee habituation is an exciting practice in Budongo Forest where wild chimpanzees are tamed to become accustomed to human presence for hiking. The chimpanzee habituation process typically takes two to three years to complete and is carried out by a team of researchers, scientists, trackers, and park guides during the off-peak months of March through May and November.
The price of licenses for chimpanzee hiking in Budongo Forest
Any tourist above the age of 15 who wants to see a habituated chimpanzee family in Budongo forest must have a trekking permit. During the peak season, a single chimpanzee trekking permit in Budongo Forest costs USD 120 for non-resident foreigners, USD 110 for locals, and UGX 75 for nationals of East Africa.
During the off-peak months, a hiking permit in Budongo Forest costs USD 110 for non-resident foreigners, USD 100 for residents, and UGX 70 for nationals of East Africa. The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience Permit costs USD 220 for foreign non-residents, USD 150 for foreign residents, and UGX 80 for East African citizens. Visitors are permitted to spend four hours with the chimps in Budongo Forest.
Trekking with Chimpanzees in Budongo Forest
You can reserve chimpanzee trekking permits in Budongo Forest by calling or emailing All In Africa Safaris with your name and the dates you would want to see the chimpanzees. After getting in touch with us, we will verify whether the permits are available, and if they are, you will be required to pay a deposit. We will buy the permit on your behalf as soon as we receive the payment.
The ideal time to visit Budongo Forest for a chimpanzee trekking safari
Although chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest is possible at any time of year, the best time to go is during the dry season, which is also referred to as the peak season and lasts from June to February. In contrast to the rainy season, when the pathways are slick and make walking challenging, access roads and the Budongo forest’s trails are passable during the dry season since it receives less rainfall.
Where to stay in Budongo Forest while on a chimpanzee trekking safari
During your trekking expedition, you can stay at a number of lodging establishments near Budongo Forest. Budongo Eco Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Kabalega wilderness camp, Red Chilli Lodge, and Bakers Lodge are just a few of the affordable, midrange, and upscale lodging options available.
Directions to Budongo Forest
It takes roughly five to six hours to drive from Kampala or Entebbe to the Budongo Visitors Center via Masindi. Budongo Forest is situated in Murchison Falls National Park and is accessible by road transportation.
Budongo forest is also accessible by air. To get there, you can arrange for regular or charter flights from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield to Pakuba airstrip, and then take a route that connects you to Budongo forest.
Chimpanzee Trekking in East Africa – Complete Guide
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are our closest living relatives, sharing approximately 98.7% of human DNA. Watching a habituated chimpanzee family in the wild – their complex social dynamics, tool use, and remarkable expressions – is one of the most intellectually and emotionally engaging wildlife experiences Africa has to offer.
East Africa’s premier chimpanzee destination is Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda, home to over 1,500 chimpanzees – the highest density of primates in Africa. Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park offers another outstanding option within one of Africa’s largest montane rainforests.
Kibale Forest National Park – Uganda’s Chimpanzee Capital
Kibale Forest covers 776 km² of moist evergreen and semi-deciduous forest in the Rwenzori foothills of western Uganda. The park’s Kanyanchu tourism site is where chimpanzee trekking takes place, with several habituated communities accustomed to human observation.
A standard chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale costs USD 250 per person and covers one hour with the chimps after tracking them through the forest. The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) costs USD 250 per person and runs from 6 AM to 6 PM, allowing a full day following a semi-habituated community – a far more intimate encounter. Permits are available through Uganda Wildlife Authority or licensed tour operators.
Beyond chimpanzees, Kibale is home to 12 other primate species including red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons, and the rare L’Hoest’s monkey. Over 375 bird species have been recorded, making it one of Uganda’s premier birding destinations.
Recommended Tours: 3 Days Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale | 4 Days Kibale & Queen Elizabeth Safari
