Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
Uganda is truly an adorable tourist destination. Not only is she rich in wildlife species but also primates. Uganda has over 20 primate species-the most famous being the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park plus chimpanzees in Kibale National Park. After gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking is the second most popular tourist activity in Uganda. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can be undertaken in four chimpanzee sanctuaries; Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest Reserve, Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu Forest.
Kibale National Park
Of the four chimpanzee trekking destinations, Kibale National Park is the premier chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda due to the highest population of chimps (about 1,500) thus enabling easy sightings of these awesome apes. Other than chimps, Kibale Forest also hosts 12 primate species including the black-and-white colobus, red-colobus, L’Hoest’s monkey, blue monkeys, Ugandan mangabey, and olive baboons among others.Budongo Forest Reserve
Located within Murchison Falls National Park, Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest is done in Kaniyo Pabidi. The forest reserve inhabits over 600 chimpanzees. Just like in Kibale National Park, two excursions are done daily; one in the morning at 08:00 am and the other in the afternoon at 02:00 pm. The trekking in Budongo is much easier compared to Kibale since the terrain is flatter. Also, the chimpanzee permits here are cheaper compared to that in Kibale. Kibale National Park beats Kaniyo Pabidi due to the large population of chimps thus making it more reliable.