Chimpanzee Trekking in Kalinzu Forest : Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest is the most sought after activity by tourists visiting the forest. Arguably the second-best location to watch chimpanzees from after Kibale national park is Kalinzu forest reserve; which is found in south-western Uganda in the district of Bushenyi and is near Maramagambo forest and Queen Elizabeth national park. Among so many other species, the forest boasts over 379 kinds of birds, 261 types of butterflies, 414 species of trees, 6 primate species. Nightly creatures like pottos and bush babes call the woodland home. Many visitors, primarily those visiting Queen Elizabeth national park, visit Kalinzu forest because of chimps there. Out of the 320 or more chimpanzees that call the forest home, about 50 are completely habituated for visitors.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest has two phases that it is done in; that is the morning shift which starts at 8 am and the afternoon shift starts at 3 pm. Both shifts give travelers unique experiences, and they usually start with travelers being oriented on what to expect during the hike in search of the chimpanzees. They are then placed in three different groups with varying fitness levels and then led by rangers and guides through the forest. Travelers get to see a number of other animals like baboons during the trek, with various birds and also learn of the plant life in the forest from their guides and rangers. The chimpanzees are really active and loud in the morning while they are feeding and playing; they then become quiet in the afternoon when they often just lounge in the tree shadows away from the sun and because they are too full. One hour with the chimpanzees lets visitors learn about their group dynamics and behavior, snap pictures and movies, or just watch them go about their lives. Some inquisitive chimps can observe you up close.
Chimpanzee permits for Kalinzu forest reserve cost $50 per permit that admits only one person, and they can be purchased from the reservation center of the forest. Prior booking is however important, to avoid the last minute disappointment.
Travelers planning a chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu forest safari should pack items that can withstand the terrain and weather of the forest, for instance, good hiking shoes with a good grip, long sleeved shirts, long pants allowing easy movements, a raincoat or jacket, insect repellant creams, energy-giving snacks and enough water. Remember also to pack a trekking stick to assist you during the trip; binoculars could be useful.
There are rules and regulations in place that govern chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu forest, and they include among others;
Persons below the age of 12 cannot track chimpanzees.
People suffering with ailments like flue cannot go chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest
A maximum of 6 persons can visit a particular chimpanzee community at a time.
Maintain an 8-meter distance away from the chimpanzees.
Time spent with the chimpanzees is strictly one hour.
Always stay in your groups and maintain your trail.
Always have a guide when on a chimpanzee tracking expedition.
Do not eat or drink in the presence of the chimpanzees.
Turn off flash cameras.
Do not litter the forest, carry the rubbish with you until you find rubbish can/pit.
Do not make noise when in the forest.
Apart from chimpanzee trekking, there are other activities that visitors could indulge in, for example bird viewing, nature hikes, and animal viewing- particularly so in those places that are nearby Queen Elizabeth National Park and has creatures like leopards, lions and the like crossing over. Travelers can also hunt for butterflies so plentiful in the forest.
Where to stay during chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest.
Accommodation facilities for travelers visiting Kalinzu forest could best be got in Queen Elizabeth National Park that has a number of accommodation choices that one can choose from say Mweya safari lodge, Mweya hostels, and Parkview safari lodge, among so many others. It is only a 40 minutes’ drive from the park to Kalinzu forest.
Kalinzu forest can be reached by road on a 5 hours’ drive from Kampala via the Mbarara-Kasese road. Public means of transportation are also available from Kampala to Butare from where you hire a taxi or boda boda to the visitor center of the forest. Chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu forest can be a great add-on to a wildlife and nature safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and climax your Uganda safari with gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that is only 4 hours away. Get in touch with us to help you plan the best primates and wildlife safari in Uganda.
Best time to carry out chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest is done all the year around, but the best time to carry out chimpanzee trekking in the forest is during the season or peak season in the months of June to September and December to February, that’s when the trekking trails are dry and very passable due to the presence of less rainfall, compared to dry season which can be muddy and slippery.
How to book chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest.
Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest can be booked in two ways. Kalinzu forest is under National Forest Authority (NFA) and to get to enter Kalinzu forest you get the permission through national forest authority at Kalinzu Forest Reserve head office in Bushenyi.
Chimpanzee trekking permit can be got from Uganda Wildlife Authority the government body in charge of tourism in Kampala, also on the other side a chimpanzee trekking permit can be got through a trusted tour operator like Lakeside tours and travel limited to have the best chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda. If you book the chimpanzee trekking permit with the tour operator you can contact and communicate with the dates, month and years when you wish to carry out chimpanzee trekking.
After contacting us we shall check for the permit availability and once the permits are found you will deposit for your permit, then after receiving the money, we shall get the permit on your behalf, which is the best option to take as well the tour operator can as well plan for your entire safari including the accommodation, meals, transportation and other related safari activities.