Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest.
One of the most thrilling things to do when visiting the region is go chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest. One of the rare locations in Uganda where chimpanzees may be seen on foot is Budongo Forest. The whole area of the forest is 500 square kilometers, and it is home to a wide range of plants and animals.
The woodland is situated on the way to Murchison Falls National Park in northwest Uganda. The largest mahogany forest in the nation, Budongo Forest, is home to ecotourism destinations Busingiro and Kaniyo Pabidi.
Among many other species, the forest is home to approximately 370 bird species, 460 tree species, 24 primates, 130 months, and 250 butterflies. At a reasonable price, Budongo Forest provides visitors with an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience.
In the Budongo forest, chimpanzee trekking is conducted twice a day in two distinct shifts, starting at 7 am and ending around 3 pm. Since only eight people may trek every shift, there are only 16 spots available each day.
The choice of which shift to go monkey trekking in is up to the travelers. For chimpanzee trekking in Budongo, visitors arrive at the Kaniyo Pabidi eco site, where they meet other hikers, get an overview of the next journey, and then start looking for the chimpanzees. The location of the chimpanzees may be readily determined due to their boisterous behavior. During the three-hour hike, guests get to see the chimpanzees and enjoy their company for a whole hour.
During that time, they may snap photos and movies of the chimps as they feed, play, and hop from branch to branch. Sometimes it’s easy to find chimpanzees, making the expedition shorter. However, the chimpanzees prefer to go further in search of food during the dry season, making the hunt more difficult for visitors.
Given the presence of other wild creatures in the forest, such as lions, who find plenty of food in the forest, travelers are advised to have a ranger present throughout this activity.
Chimpanzee permits must be purchased in order to participate in chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest. You may get them at the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices or by having a reliable tour operator handle it for you.
Chimpanzee permits in Budongo are just $85 per person and only authorize one hike. There are just 16 chimp permits available each day since there are only two shifts that can accommodate eight people each. Because there aren’t many permits available, tourists must reserve their permits well in advance.
Additionally, visitors should be aware that chimp trekking is only appropriate for people 12 years of age and above. To confirm the age, the forest authorities may even go so far as to possess a child’s birth certificate. However, this is for the chimps’ conservation and preservation as well as the children’s safety.
Trekking with chimpanzees in Budongo woodland is possible year-round.
The Jane Goodall Institute of Research is in charge of overseeing the chimpanzee area in Budongo forest. The Budongo woodland is suitable for both chimp habituation and chimp trekking. Chimpanzee habituation is only feasible during the dry season, which also happens to be the peak season, but chimp trekking is accessible throughout the year. Because of chimpanzee habituation, visitors spend the whole day with the primates. The permit costs a little more, but it is well worth it.
The following are some of the restrictions and criteria that visitors should abide by in order to have a good chimpanzee trekking experience in Budongo:
Chimpanzee trekking is only available to those who are 12 years of age or older.
The walk should not be undertaken by someone who is ill with an infectious sickness, such as the flu.
The chimpanzees may only be visited for a maximum of one hour.
Keep an 8-meter distance from the chimpanzees.
Avoid littering the forest and destroying plants only to gain a nice view.
Never go from your group.
Avoid eating close to chimpanzees.
For a successful chimpanzee trekking trip in the Budongo forest, travelers are encouraged to take the appropriate items, which include, among other things, sturdy hiking boots, insect repellent lotions, long-sleeved shirts, waterproof jackets, waterproof backpacks, and more. It could be worthwhile to bring binoculars for the birdwatchers.
Both air and vehicle access are available to Budongo Forest. It is feasible to travel seven hours by car from Kampala to Masindi’s Budongo Forest, which is on the way to Murchison Falls National Park. For those with little free time, you may alternatively choose to fly into Pakuba in Murchison and then continue on to Budongo Forest.
For those who are just performing chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest, there are decent lodging options available for them to reserve and stay at. Accommodations in Murchison may be reserved by safari travelers. Make sure to acquire the greatest service regardless of one’s budget.
In addition to chimpanzee trekking, visitors may engage in a variety of other activities in Budongo Forest, such as bird viewing, nature excursions that allow them to explore the forest, and chimpanzee habituation.
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest is available to visitors as an add-on to their Murchison Falls National Park safari or as a stand-alone activity. Get a reputable tour operator to assist you in creating the ideal package for you, regardless of your choice.
