Price of Budongo chimp permits compared with Kibale

Price of Budongo chimp permits compared with Kibale, Chimpanzees are the biggest pull factor for tourism in Budongo Central Forest Reserve and Kibale Forest National Park with chimpanzee trekking as the most participated in an activity in both forests. Budongo Central Forest reserve and its activities is under the management of Uganda Lodges and National Forestry Authority whereas for Kibale Forest National Park is managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority. Chimpanzee permits are very essential for you to be allowed to trek chimpanzees in Budongo and Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park is best known for its number and variety of resident primates with 13 species of primates including the largest population of chimpanzees in Uganda estimated at over 1500 chimpanzees making it the best place to see chimpanzees in Uganda, other primates found in Kibale Forest include the nocturnal busbaby and potto, Monkeys, baboons among others. Kibale forest national park is also a popular destination for birders with over 335 bird species recorded. Chimpanzee trekking is done in two sessions in the morning and afternoon this will be determined by the chimpanzee permit you purchase and your itinerary to trek in a given session accordingly.

Both Budongo forest and Kibale National Park allow you to view and stay with the chimpanzees for one hour and four hours depending on the permit you have booked. The chimpanzee permit habituation for Budongo Forest Reserve costs USD230 per person Non-Foreign Residents, USD160 Per person  Foreign Residents and USD90 for Uganda Citizens, this makes it cheaper compared to the chimpanzee habituation permit of Kibale Forest National Park which costs USD250 per person Non-Foreign Residents, USD250 Per person  Foreign Residents and Uganda shillings 150,000 for Uganda Citizens This chimpanzee habituation permit allows you to view and stay with the chimpanzees for four hours as you move with them, observe the way they feed, live and communicate. It is an experience conducted by the Researchers and Forest guides.

The chimpanzee Trekking permit 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. For Budongo the 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 and Kibale national park namely; Morning session that starts at 8:00am and afternoon session that starts at Mid-day throughput the year.

The chimpanzee treks at both Budongo Central Forest reserve and Kibale national park start early morning with briefing about the dos and don’ts at the forest headquarters, you are later grouped in groups of members each with Park guides, Rangers who lead you to the forest for your chimpanzee experience. The trek takes about 2 to 4 hours, depending on the movement of the chimpanzees. Once the chimps are found you will stay for one hour with these amazing creatures to watch them eating, resting and playing. The trek gives of chances of viewing other primates, reptiles and mammals and the chances of seeing chimpanzees at Budongo Central Forest reserve and Kibale national park are 95%.

What is the best time for Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo and Kibale national park?

Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo and Kibale national park is best done in 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 Chimpanzee trekking in the Forest, 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. Chimpanzee trekking in both Kibale national park and Budongo forest can be done throughout the year given the fact it is a very well organized activity and you have 99% chance of seeing the Chimpanzees. Price of Budongo chimp permits compared with Kibale

How to access Budongo forest for Chimpanzee Trekking

By Road; Budongo forest can be accessed through the main safari circuit from Entebbe/Kampala to Masindi via Kafu bridge which is approximately 5-6 hours drive. You can as well access budongo forest through Kampala-Gulu highway, from Gulu you will connect to the budongo forest with 2-3 hours drive.

By Air; You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Chobe or Pakuba airstrip from here you will transfer to Budongo forest. Scheduled and chartered flights are available and operated by domestic airline operators of Aero link and Fly Uganda. You will need to plan with your tour operator for a transfer from the airstrip to the gorge for chimpanzee trekking

How to access Kibale national park for Chimpanzee Trekking

By Road; Kibale national park can be accessed through the main safari circuit from Entebbe/Kampala to Kasese either via Fort portal or Bushenyi which approximately 6-7 hours drive. You can as well access the park through Kampala-Fort portal-Kasese highway, from Kasese you will connect to Kibale national park with 1-2 hours drive. The best way to get Kibale national park from Kampala is driving through the Kampala-Mityana-Mubende-Fort portal highway.

By Air; You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kasese airstrip from here you will transfer to Kibale national park. Scheduled and chartered flights are available and operated by domestic airline operators of Aero link and Fly Uganda. You will need to plan with your tour operator for a transfer from the airstrip to Kibale national park t for chimpanzee trekking

Where to stay during Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest

There are many accommodation options in Budongo forest where you can stay during your Chimpanzee trekking here these range from budget, mid-range to luxury let us know we will book for you accordingly.

Accommodation in Budongo forest, Budget options include Budongo eco-lodge and Redi Chili among others these cost USD90-100 per person per night other options close to Budongo forest include Murchison river lodge and Twiga Safari Lodge.

Where to stay during Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national park

There are many accommodation options in Kibale national park where you can stay during your Chimpanzee trekking here these range from budget, mid-range to luxury let us now we will book for you accordingly. Budget options include Chimpanzee forest Guest House, Isunga Lodge and Kibale Home saty among others these cost USD90-100 per person per night, mid-range include Primate Lodge and Turaco Treetops Lodge among others these cost USD150-200 per person per night, Luxury options include Papaya Lake Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge and Nadli Lodge these cost USD250-700 per person per night.

Why book with Eco Adventure Safaris your Chimpanzee Trek in Budongo?

Eco Adventure Safaris is experienced in organizing amazing chimpanzee safari experiences to Uganda and Rwanda. We are also highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor. We combine gorilla trekking safaris with eco-friendly and unforgettable high-end adventure and wildlife safaris that help preserve biodiversity, conserve wildlife, and uplift local communities, these include chimpanzee trekking, Big 5 safaris and game viewing, Mountain Hiking, Boat cruises excursions and Cultural encounters to give you a memorable and best African Safari experience including popular and great African safari destinations Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana and Namibia. Feel free to contact us about the price of Budongo chimp permits compared with Kibale.