Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest

A day of chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest is like a reunion meeting with lost relatives. Chimpanzees have the closest DNA to that of humans and when around them, you cannot miss to see a mirror of some humanly traits.

The chimpanzees of Budongo forest are mainly used for research however, the public is now also open to engage in tracking them. Chimpanzee trekking is an adventure where a limited number of tourists are allowed to follow and have one hour with fully habituated chimpanzee community.

To participate in Budongo chimpanzee trekking, tourists are required to purchase a chimpanzee permit for the morning or afternoon session. Budongo forest is one of few leftover natural rain forests in Uganda as most have been encroached on by squatters or affected by lumbering.

Requirements For Chimpanzee Trekking In Budongo Forest

• Book chimpanzee permit in advance that is either for the morning or afternoon session
• Wear chimpanzee trekking gears that is attire that is wilderness friendly like sturdy safari boots, garden gloves, rain proof gears, convertible trousers, shirt, back pack and more.
• Maintain some level of fitness before chimpanzee trekking because finding these primates may take sometime so you need to remain fit.
• Maintain good health or conduct medical check up before chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest as chimpanzees are highly susceptible to human communicable infections like flu, cough, covid-19 and more.
• Carry significant personal identification documents like the passport, National identification card and more to present for verification at the ranger station before chimpanzee trekking at Budongo.

How long is Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest

Time to take chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest is hard to determine as this varies with factors prevailing in the forest. No matter how much time it takes to find the chimpanzees, as you get closer to them you enjoy their presence watch mothers nature their infants, juveniles play from vines and much more.

Shift your focus to identifying other forest inhabitants like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed, monkeys and more. Several birds are residents of Budongo forest including Albertine rift endemics.

One hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas when you meet them.

Key Information About Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest

Chimpanzees in Budongo forest are thriving naturally and their day is under their control with no or less human interference.

The trails of Budongo forest are obstructed by dense undergrowth so wear the right chimpanzee trekking gears that can withstand the rough conditions of the jungle.

Best time for chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest is the dry season that is June to September and December to January when trails are less dense. The forest inhabitants of Budongo forest spend most of the time closer to the ground in this season.

Budongo forest is a rain forest where rains may fall almost an entire day therefore do not forget to carry rain proof gears.

The number of chimpanzee trekkers to Budongo forest is minimized to reduce on the effect of mass tourism to the environment where these primates thrive.

Average temperature of Budongo forest is 20 degrees as low temperature and 27 degrees as the highest temperature however this may go higher during long drought period.

Is Budongo Forest safe For Chimpanzee Trekking

Budongo forest is safe for chimpanzee trekking as on ground there is a well organized and trained ranger guide team who overtime patrol the forest to check of any anomalies.

Before tourists start chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forests they must attend briefing at the ranger station where details of the adventure are communicated. Every tourist is expected to abide by the chimpanzee trekking rules which are aimed at offering safety measures for the chimpanzees.

Wear the right chimpanzee trekking gears especially those that protect your body from the rough surfaces in the jungle. Apply insect repellant as the forest has stinging insects.  

Every chimpanzee trekking safari in Budongo is guided by a ranger guide from Uganda Wildlife Authority who carries a machete along with a tourism police who carries a rifle.

Other Activities To Do In Budongo Forest

Birding in Budongo forest

Numerous forest birds are living in Budongo forest and during a Uganda birding safari, you get an opportunity to identify a variety of them. Some of the birds you may find in Budongo forest include grey Headed Olive back, scaly Francolin, Black-crowned Waxbills and more.

When you start the bird search early morning in Kibale forest, you get to identify a variety of resident birds in the forest.

Guided Nature walk in Budongo forest

With an escorting ranger guide follow the trail network in the forest where you get the chance to encounter a variety of birds, primates and many other forest inhabitants.

Primate search in Budongo forest

A part from the chimpanzees, Budongo forest is home to a variety of other primates including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus and more.  

Game Drive in Murchison Falls National Park

From Budongo forest, you can connect for game drives in Murchison Falls National Park where you may get the chance to see lions, leopards, herds of elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, reed bucks, giraffes and more.

While relaxing on the launch trip to Murchison Falls, you get to enjoy a variety of wild animals that enjoy supplies along the River Nile banks. Some of the animals you may spot along River Nile include crocodiles, hippos, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes and more. An array of birds flock the River Nile banks daily to catch freebies.

Murchison Falls the point where the park gets its name is amazing to get close to because of the powerful water frequency as river Nile water squeezes through the 6 meters wide gorge then burst out to produce a thundering sound.

Ziwa Rhino sanctuary

A detour to the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary where Uganda is rehabilitating some Rhinos after they were wiped out of the country during the several civil wars that affected the country in the past. By visiting these rhinos, you get to enjoy their presence and support the continued work of conserving them