Best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda : Chimpanzee trekking is an exciting safari activity that attracts tourists in Uganda and Rwanda, and it is the second best done safari activity in these two countries after gorilla trekking. Chimpanzee trekking entails tourists walking through the tropical jungle in search of chimpanzees that have been habituated. Once the chimps have been located, tourists spend an hour seeing them in their natural environment. Chimpanzee trekking safari can be done in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park, as well as in Uganda’s Kibale Forest National Park, Kalinzu Forest in Bushenyi District, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park. In Uganda, chimpanzee trekking can also be done in Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve.
Best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.
Chimpanzee trekking can be done at any time of the year in Uganda and Rwanda; however, the best time to go is during the dry season, which runs from June through September and December through February.
Chimpanzee trekking in the dry season.
The dry season is the greatest time to go chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda. This is because during the dry season there is very little or no rainfall in the national park, which means that the roads and chimpanzee trekking routes will be dry and passable, making it easier to go trekking.
During the dry season, when tourists go chimpanzee trekking safari, the foliage in the national parks will be quite sparse; as a result, they will have a clear view of the chimpanzees and the opportunity to snap stunning photographs.
The dry season is the best time to go chimpanzee trekking safari, but it does come with a few drawbacks. For example, the national parks will be packed with visitors, which means that chimpanzee trekking permits will sell out quickly. Additionally, many accommodation options will be taken, so travelers are urged to make reservations at least two to three months in advance.
Chimpanzee trekking in the wet/ rainy season.
It is also possible to go chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda during the months of March to May and October to November, which are considered to be the low season and are also known as the rainy season. The wet season is characterized by severe rainfall, which makes chimpanzee trekking pathways wet, muddy, and slippery. However, rain does not stop the activity of chimpanzee trekking, and there are various advantages for trekking chimps in the rainy season.
During the rainy season, when you go chimpanzee trekking, there is an abundance of food in the forest because of the heavy rainfall. Because of this, chimpanzees will be easy to detect, and as a result, you will not be able to go on the walk for very long.
Travellers who go chimpanzee trekking in the rainy season will have the opportunity to combine their excursion with bird watching because the rainy season is the ideal period for birding. During this time, bird watchers will have the chance to see a variety of colourful and migratory bird species.
If you go chimpanzee trekking during the low or rainy season, you will be able to explore the national parks with less tourists. Additionally, at these times of the year, some luxury lodges offer discounts as a way to entice guests, which is beneficial for travelers on a budget.
Chimpanzee trekking experience.
Chimpanzee trekking safari experience in Uganda and Rwanda begins very early in the morning with a briefing about the laws and regulations that must be followed during the trekking experience. After the briefing, you will begin hiking through the forest in the direction of the chimpanzees. This excursion, which can last anywhere from thirty minutes to five hours depending on their location due to the fact that they frequently relocate in search of food. Once the chimpanzees have been located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. This will give you the opportunity to learn more about their natural habitat, watch them eat, play, hunt, fight, rest, and groom young ones, as well as taking photos and record videos to show people back home.
Cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda.
Chimpanzee trekking licences are legal cards that are granted to tourists who are over the age of 15 and allow them to visit habituated chimpanzee groups and spend one hour with them in their natural environment. These permits are issued by the Chimpanzee Conservation and Research Organization (CCRO) and are valid for one year. Chimpanzee trekking permits at Nyungwe forest national park cost 150 US Dollars per person for non-residents of other countries, 75 US Dollars per person for residents of other countries, and 25 US Dollars per person for inhabitants of East African countries.
Chimpanzee trekking permits at Kibale Forest National Park cost 200 US Dollars per person for foreign non-residents of other countries, 150 US Dollars per person for foreign residents, and 150,000 Ugandan Shillings per person for East African citizens. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Budongo forest costs 130 USD per person for foreign non-residents of other countries, 120 USD per person for foreign residents of other countries, and 85 USD per person for citizens of East African citizens. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest and Kyambura gorge costs 50 USD per person for foreign non-residents of other countries, 40 USD per person for foreign residents of other countries, and 30 USD per person for East African citizens.
Chimpanzee trekking is an exciting safari activity that can be done all year round depending on your inclination, and it can be done in both Uganda and Rwanda. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at Pieland Gorilla Safaris if you have any questions about when is the ideal time to go chimpanzee trekking, or visit our website to learn more about the different chimpanzee trekking packages we provide.
