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January 5, 2022
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Kibale National Park
January 6, 2022Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest. Budongo Forest reserve is a tropical Rain forest located in Murchison falls National Park in Northwestern Uganda in Masindi district. Budongo is a 4-5 hours drive from Kampala city/Entebbe offers an opportunity to trek and see chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Other primates that can be observed are the Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, and Grey-cheeked Mangabeys.
Yes, chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest is worth the money, it is one of the unique activities to do in Budongo Forest for any traveler visiting Uganda to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat Chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest takes 3 to 4 hours, half-day or full-day depending on the movement of chimps in the forest, once they are found you will stay for one hour with these amazing creatures to watch them eating, resting and playing great experience and worth the money.
How is chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest worth the money?
What you pay for chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest that is $130 this gives you an opportunity to learn more about how the endangered habituated chimpanzees that are still surviving in Budongo Forest as this gives you a great travel and learning experience. The money paid also helps in the conservation of the chimpanzees and their natural habitat Budongo Forest. If here was no chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest, this forest would be all destroyed by now through encroachments from the communities but with the existence of this activity which also brings in foreign exchange to the country and the local communities around the forest when you visit and pay the entrance fees this has encouraged the local communities and the government of Uganda through National Forestry Authority and Uganda Wildlife Authority to protect the original home of these chimpanzees which has in turn promoted environmental conservation in Uganda, this makes the money spent on chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest worth.
Money spent on chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest through your chimpanzee trekking permit and park entrance fees also helps to benefit the local communities that leave around Budongo Forest and Murchison Falls National Park this in turn encourages the local communities to conserve and protect these chimpanzees since their importance is known by the local communities through the 20% money they receive every year off the permit and park entrance fees paid by tourists who do chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest. This money goes directly through payment of the local communities who are on the lead committees and indirectly through infrastructure and projects that help contribute to a better life of the local communities through construction of schools, hospitals and practicing agriculture, this thus also makes the money spent on chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest worth.
What is the cost and money spent on chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest?
Chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest Reserve is managed by Uganda lodges licensed by National Forestry Authority and Uganda Wildlife Authority. The chimpanzee Trekking permit is essential and is issued for those interested to see the chimpanzees that are already used to people and only allows one hour of viewing and staying with the chimpanzee once you find them. This permit costs USD 130 per person Non-Foreign Residents, USD120 Per person Foreign Residents and USD85 per person for Uganda Citizens. There are two sessions for chimpanzee trekking in budongo forest, the Morning session that starts at 8:00am and afternoon session that starts at Mid-day through put the year. Both sessions are very safe for chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest. Below are the popular chimpanzee trekking safaris in Kibale National Park for you to choose from;
3 Days chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest
4 Days chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest
Best time to do chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest
The best time to do chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest is during the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for the treks in the Forests, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for viewing the chimpanzees offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of April, May and November which is normally a wet season this makes the vegetations grow high making the sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact chimpanzees don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available in the forest compared to the dry seasons.
Where to stay during your chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest
Most of the travelers have always opted to stay within Murchison Falls National Park as it have a variety of lodges and which are close to Budongo Forest Reserve. There are number of options ranging from budget to Luxury lodges. You can stay at Bakers lodge, Murchison River lodge, Paraa safari lodge as luxury options, then Pakuba Safari Lodge and Kabalega wilderness camp for midrange option, you can stay Red chilli Hideaway, Pumba safari lodge for budget clients. Yes you can stay in Budongo forest as well at Budongo Eco lodge which is a budget lodge as you listen to the sounds of from the forest.
How to access Budongo Forest for chimpanzee trekking
Budongo Forest Reserve can be accessed by road as it only 4-5 hours’ drive from Kampala/Entebbe to Masindi /Budongo central Forest Reserve. You can access the forest reserve from the main gate of Murchison falls national park and you will be required to Pay Park entrance fees, As all our packages are inclusive, you should not worry at all as you will have chance to even visit the tops of the falls and participate in other activities as per your interest.
You can as well visit Budongo forest reserve by air, there are daily domestic flights to Pakuba, Chobe, Bugunga Airstrips in Murchison falls National Park, and this reduces your drive time to only one hour by flight. Aerolink Uganda operates Morning and afternoon flights to Murchison from Entebbe international Airport, considering your itinerary you can opt for chattered or scheduled flights to see the chimpanzees in Budongo Forest Reserve.
Why book your chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest with Eco Adventure Safaris?
Eco Adventure Safaris takes pride in customizing tailor-made chimpanzee trekking safaris in Budongo Forest. It has a very diligent and trust worthy team. Your queries are answered within 20minutes by our team of professional tour consultants. These consultants will make you a travel plan for you, answer to all your questions and make sure all your services are booked in advance for you to avoid inconveniences. We also have very knowledgeable safari guides depending on your language preferences. It all depends on your preference. Feel free to contact us here about the Chimpanzee trek in Budongo forest.