Chimpanzee Permits in Uganda
Chimpanzees rank among the captivating primates that attract most tourists to Uganda. To observe chimpanzees in Uganda, you must obtain a valid permit. With recent changes implemented, many wonder about the current cost of a chimpanzee permit in Uganda.
Beyond price, we detail other essential aspects, such as securing a valid chimpanzee permit (for both tracking and habituation), top locations to view chimpanzees in Uganda, optimal booking times for permits, and dissimilarities between chimpanzee and gorilla permits.
How much are chimpanzee permits in Uganda
Uganda chimpanzee permits vary depending on the visitor category and the destination. As per the Uganda Wildlife Authority revised tariffs for chimpanzee permits for Kibale foreign non-residents pay USD 250, foreign residents USD 200, and East African Community Citizens pay UGX 180,000 per visitor.
Still in Kibale, tourists have the option of engaging in chimpanzee habituation which costs USD 300 for foreign non residents, USD 250 for foreign residents, and East African citizens pay UGX 250,000 per visitor.
Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, chimpanzee tracking permits cost USD 100 for foreign nonresidents, foreign residents pay USD 80, and East African citizens at UGX 50,000 per person. Still adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Parks, chimpanzees can be visited in the
Kalinzu Forest, chimpanzee permits can be bought at USD 130 for foreign non-residents, and USD 65 per person for foreign residents.
In Budongo Forest, chimpanzee tracking permits cost USD 130 for foreign nonresidents, foreign residents pay USD 120 and East Africans pay USD 85. Budongo Forest also offers a chimpanzee habituation experience, which cost USD 230 for foreign non resident, foreign residents pay USD 160.
These charges are subject to change, contact your tour operator for up to date fees for proper planning of your trip
Places to visit to see chimpanzees in Uganda
Uganda is the place to visit for the best chimpanzee experience. The best places to find chimpanzees in Uganda include Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Semuliki National Park.
Ngamba Island Sanctuary is the ideal place to visit for tourists interested in exploring rescued chimpanzees.
Kibale National Park
Kibale national park is on the top list for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda. Kibale National Park, popularly known as the Primate Capital of the World, is inhabited by over 13 primate species, which include more than 1500 chimpanzees. Kibale was established to shelter chimpanzees plus other species from the neighboring communities which used to poach these primates for various reasons.
In Kibale National Park, visitors start their chimpanzee tracking activity from Kanyanchu gate. Kibale national park currently has a total of more than 15 families that can be explored by nature lovers. A chimpanzee tracking activity in Kibale takes you through a guided nature walk with an experienced nature guide, expect to learn more about the unique behaviors of chimps in their natural environment. Visitors are free to track chimpanzees either in the morning or afternoon. Besides, you can also go for a guided chimpanzee habituation experience where you stand a chance to look for chimps for a full day.
The main sectors to visit in Kibale national park include Ngogo Chimpanzee Sector, Sebitoli Sector, and Kanyawara Sector. Kibale national park has accommodation for overnight stay in lodges such as Chimpundu Lodge, Jungle Lodge Kibale, Primate Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Kibale River Camp, Kibale Tourist Safari Lodge, and many more.
Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge isn’t only popular for chimpanzee tracking but is also an iconic attraction on its own. Lying on the Eastern edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Kyambura Gorge features a 100m deep gorge. Currently, it is one of the useful spots to consider for chimpanzee tracking. As you track chimpanzees, expect to see a variety of other primates which include the red-colobus monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and bird species like papyrus gonoleks, black and white casqued hornbill, African Finfoot, Blue-headed Bee-eater, African Skimmer, Papyrus Canary, White-winged Warbler, Martial Eagle, and Verreaux’s Eagle Owl.
Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu forest is dedicated mainly for research but can be visited by tourists on a chimpanzee tracking tour. A total of about 50 chimpanzees call Kalinzu home and shelter other species, including the red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys. Kalinzu offers two chimpanzee trekking session with the first phase often starting from morning and the second session starting at around 2:00pm.
Budongo
About 700-800 chimpanzees are concentrated in the Budongo Forest Reserve. Chimpanzees in Budongo Forest start from the Kaniyo-Pabidi Forest section, Sonso, and Busingiro. Budongo is an ideal place for chimpanzee tracking especially for visitors on a safari to Murchison Falls National Park. While on a chimpanzee track in Budongo, expect to also find other primates, including vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, black and white colobus monkeys.
When to book a chimpanzee permit in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda are available for booking at any time of the year. But it is ideal to secure a permit at least 2-3 months before the planned date to track chimpanzees, this is to ensure that you secure a chimpanzee slot in advance rather than waiting for the last-minute booking because the demand for the permits is high.
Who is eligible to book chimpanzee permits in Uganda?
People above 12 years can book chimpanzee permits in Uganda. visitors interested in doing chimpanzees tracking can talk to the local tour operator or a safari/travel company to secure a permit in advance.
What to carry for a chimpanzee tracking Uganda tour
The extra items to include on chimpanzee tracking in Uganda besides permits range from strong hiking shoes, insect repellents, a safari hat, long-sleeved shirts, a pair of trousers, and sunglasses, a camera, binoculars, Bootle of water, a first aid kit, and others.
Chimpanzee permits Vs Gorilla permits
Chimpanzee permits in Uganda are issued to visitors on a tour to track chimpanzees in the wild. Whereas Gorilla permits in Uganda are mainly available for tourists interested in tracking mountain gorillas which are only found in Bwindi and mgahinga in Uganda. The cost of Chimpanzee permits and gorilla trekking permits differ.
Chimpanzee tracking Vs chimpanzee habituation
Chimpanzee tracking offer visitors a great opportunity to engage in a tracking adventure to see habituated chimpanzee communities. While chimpanzee habituation allows visitors go on a search for semi-habituated chimpanzee communities. This activity takes longer hours with chimpanzees than one of chimpanzee tracking.
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