Budongo Forest is one of the best places to visit if you are interested in chimpanzee tracking. The Budongo Forest Reserve is situated within Murchison Falls National Park offers yet another exceptional Chimpanzee tracking experience at a greatly reduced price. Get off the beaten track on your Uganda safari and venture into the jungles of this Tropical rainforest and experience what some few lucky tourists have experienced before.
Budongo Forest Reserve is found in North-western side of Uganda within the boundaries of the Murchison Falls National Park (largest and oldest National Park in Uganda) and covers an area of 825 square kilometers/319 square miles, making it the largest surviving Natural Forest Reserve in Uganda. This Forest Reserve takes pride in its brimming biological diversity made up of mainly 24 small mammal species with 9 being primate species, over 465 tree species, 360 exceptional bird species, over 290 species of butterflies and 130 moth species. This makes this Forest Reserve a perfect place for nature lovers, bird enthusiasts, botanists and anyone that loves serenity. Budongo Forest Reserve offers shelter to a community of over 600-700 chimpanzees and chimpanzee tracking usually takes place from Kaniyo Pabidi (managed by the Jane Goodall Institute) and Busingiro Eco-tourism site, the former has 6 habituated Chimpanzee groups. It is believed that the most successful rate (at least 90% of sighting these Primates) is normally in the months of May, June, July and August because there is plenty of food during these months, the chances drop to 70% in the months of February, March, April and September. From October, November December and January, the chance of sighting these Chimps reduces to 50% because of the scarcity of Food during these months.
How Chimpanzee Tracking Is Conducted within Budongo Forest Reserve
This activity starts as early as 7am where tourists are briefed on the Tracking guidelines/dos and don’ts. Since the guides follow the daily movement of the Chimpanzee group, you will track following that route and this movement takes from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the movement of the group and the fruiting season of the trees which has a great influence on the movement of these creatures.
Two chimpanzee tracking sessions are available in this Site with the morning session starting at 8:00am and the afternoon session starting at 2pm and each of them take about 3 hours. Only 6 persons are allowed to track a Chimpanzee group and have to spend a maximum of one hour with these Primates. Besides the Chimpanzee tracking adventure, tourists can also participate in the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience and spend at least 4 hours with these riveting creatures as they undergo habituation. Tourists below the age of 12 years are not allowed to participate in Chimpanzee tracking.
Cost of a Chimpanzee Tracking Permit in Budongo Forest Reserve
The price of a chimpanzee tracking permit is Budongo Forest Reserve is comparatively cheaper than that of Kibale National Park. A permit during the low season (April, May and November) costs $85 for foreign-non residents, $75 for foreign residents and $45 for Ugandan Citizens, and $95 for foreign non-residents, $85 for foreign residents and $50 for Ugandan Citizens during the high and normal seasons. The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience costs $150 per son for foreign non-residents, $100 for foreign residents and $75 for Ugandan Citizens.
What to Carry When Travelling For Chimpanzee Tracking In Budongo Forest Reserve
You will need to carry the following for a memorable chimpanzee tracking experience; Rain jacket, long and light trousers, strong hiking boots, long sleeved shirts, camera with enough battery, sweater, insect repellant, enough drinking water and packed lunch, toiletries such as toilet paper, a hat,
The most commonly used route to reach Budongo Forest sunglasses and sun cream, extra film/memory card, binocular and a backpack.
How to reach Budongo Forest Reserve
reserve is Kampala-Luwero-Nakasongola then branch off from River Kafu and head towards Masindi, then proceed till Murchison Falls national Park’s Kichumbayobo gate.
In conclusion, Chimpanzee tracking does not only take place in Kibale Forest National Park but also Budongo Forest reserve that offers exceptional Chimpanzee tracking experience to tourists.