What to expect on the chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest

What to expect on the chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest, chimpanzee trekking timings and conditions in Budongo Forest vary tremendously as the chimpanzees move continuously through the forest this also determines how long and challenging the chimpanzee trek will be that day of your trek. It is good to be prepared and remember the weather can change with very little warning. The terrain is often steep and through areas where there are no marked paths. The distance walked during chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest can take up to more than 5 miles that is approximately 3 to 4 hours to find the chimpanzees in Budongo forest and back, this means you will spend approximately 2 hours each way. You will set off for the chimpanzee trek at 8am and be back by 12pm.

About Budongo Forest

The time you spend with the Chimpanzees is a life time experience, the chimpanzee permit you pay for is always worth the experience and time you spend the amazing endangered primates. Budongo Forest reserve is a tropical Rain forest located in Murchison falls National Park in North western Uganda in Masindi district. Budongo is a 4-5hours drive from Kampala city/Entebbe offers an extremely rich biodiversity including species of mammals, primates and butterflies. It is also the natural habitat of more than 600 chimpanzees, of which a small community has been habituated for eco-tourism purposes. This family consists of 80 individuals, allowing visitors the unique opportunity to view these amazing apes in their natural environment. Other primates that can be observed are the Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys and Grey-cheeked Mangabeys.

Chimpanzees are the biggest pull factor for tourism in Budongo Central Forest reserve with chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation as the most participated in activities. The forest and its activities is under the management of Uganda Lodges as it was authorized by Uganda wildlife Authority and National Forestry Authority. Chimpanzee permits are very essential to determine how many hours you will spend with the chimpanzees in budongo Forest reserve.

How many hours can one spend trekking the chimpanzees in Budongo forest reserve

In Uganda, The Budongo forest Reserve allows you to view and stay with the chimpanzees for one hour and four hours depending. 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 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. 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 Namely; Morning session that starts at 8:00am and afternoon session that starts at Mid-day through put the year.

The treks 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 like the forest Elephants. Contact us here for book your best adequate time to spend with the chimpanzees in Budongo forest Reserve.

What Chimpanzee Communities in Budongo Forest Reserve?

Budongo Forest reserve has about 700 chimpanzees and these have been conserved for years and steadily the groups are growing and increasing in Numbers. The chimpanzees in Budongo forest we first studied in 1960 and conservation has been going on to sustain the chimpanzees in the forest thus attracting more visitors to come and see them. There are several communities that have been habituated over the years and these include;

Sonso Chimpanzee community stays near River Sonso and it have more than 85 members, it is among the old group first habituated in Budongo forest.  Waibira Chimpanzee community has more than 100 members, this community was formed after a few individuals split from the Sonso community and they produced and multiplied in number. Kaniyo- Pabidi Chimpanzee Community was habituated by Jane Good all Institute and now the group is under the management of Budongo Eco-Lodge, the group is on the road side from Masindi to Murchison falls National Park. Waisoke Chimpanzee Community has been habituated and its territory is near the Waisoke River. It split from the Sonso community as well and other members joined from other communities as well. The chimpanzees can move from Far East of the forest to the north and their movement cannot be guaranteed daily. Chimpanzee trekking requires you to be fit and able to walk but in case you are not very fit, there is always help from the guides and Porters to make sure you successful have a great experience with the chimpanzees.

How to book chimpanzee permits for Budongo Forest Reserve?

The process of booking the chimpanzee permits is very easy with Eco Adventure Safaris throughout the year, Once you send us an email here about your interest to trek the chimps and your preferred travel dates, We shall check the availability of permits and confirm if permits are there or even advise change of dates to get the permits, We shall then send you a permit payment invoice where you can opt to make payment by Credit bank or by Bank. Once we receive payment we shall secure your permits and send you a copy of the scanned receipt for your records and Perusal. Book your chimpanzee permits for your special dates like Wedding anniversary, birthday, honey moon or family Vacations for a great primate experience. These permits tend to sell out quickly during the high season and we always recommend booking and securing permits as early as possible.

Why book chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest Reserve?

The chimpanzee permits in Budongo forest reserve are relatively cheap compared to the chimpanzee permits for Kibale forest National Park as they cost USD130 compared to USD200 per person for Kibale forest. What to expect on the chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest, Visiting budongo gives you an opportunity to visit one other largest National parks in Uganda which is Murchison falls National Park and complete the big five visit with the Rhino Tracking at Zziwa Rhino sanctuary. Booking a chimpanzee tour to budongo is a whole experience that you shouldn’t miss out. Contact us for tailored packages.

How to get to Budongo Forest Reserve?

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.

What to expect on the chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest. 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.

Where can one stay to see the Chimpanzees in Budongo Forest Reserve?

Most of the travelers have always opted to stay with in 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.

Book with us your chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest National Reserve 

Eco Adventure Safaris organizes chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest National Reserve Combined with many choices of activities as well customized Uganda Safari packages. Our magic in organizing authentic experience stems from the fact that we have overtime assembled a team mixed with young and energetic staff guided by well experienced mature managers and directors who are Ugandans and passionate about what they do. Eco Adventure Safaris is highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor to help you learn on the experiences of the other travelers who have traveled with us. Contact us about what to expect on the chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest