Did you know? You can save 50 USD by trekking chimpanzees on a discount. Not only does it apply to mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzees are also trekked at a discounted rate now days. The cost of a chimpanzee permit is always cut from 150usd to 100usd during the low season between the months of April, May and November. This idea of issuing a chimpanzee permit at a discount was put by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a body responsible for wildlife conservation in conjunction with the association of Uganda tour operators (AUTO). The discount was put as a strategy by the government to counteract the seasonality effect, which has been a great challenge affecting Uganda’s tourism.
Chimpanzee trekking is done in the tropical rainforest of kibale national park a home to the highest population of the chimpanzees. Uganda as a whole has approximately 5000 chimpanzees 1500 of which live in kibale forest national park. The increased population of chimpanzees ensures travelers a great therefore ensures travelers of greater chances to meet and their closest relatives and interact with them which experience cannot be felt anywhere else in Uganda.
Discounted permits were first put for gorilla trekking but has also been put for chimpanzees to encourage many chimpanzee trekkers in the low season.
Besides chimpanzee trekking, chimpanzee habituation experience in kibale forest national park. The experience allows travelers to spend the whole day with chimpanzees though at a higher rate. The habituation experience permits costs 220usd, which is quite luxurious for budget travelers.
Just like for trekking, habituation permits can be accessed from the Uganda wildlife authority or through any trusted tour Company. Advance booking and payment of the booking fees is highly suggested for all trekkers.
Apart from kibale forest national park, chimpanzees can be done in kyambura forge Queen Elizabeth national park, Budongo forest and kalinzu forest but the chances to see these chimpanzees are limited which is not a case in kibale forest national park.
Where as the low season is well known for showers, this does not stop trekking. More still, chimpanzees live in tropical rainforests where weather cannot be predicted. This means that rain can shower any time of the year regardless of the season, whether rainy or sunny. Also, the pearl of Uganda is blessed with conducive climate where the sun shines in a short time after the rains. This therefore means that travelers can even trek after or even during the showers. This season is best for adventurous travelers who prefer getting experience in a hard way.
Concerning the trekking time, the real time to spend in the jungle is not specific. It ranges from 30 minutes to six hours depending on the location and the movement of the chimpanzees.
A short briefing from the park wardens is a must attend by every participant before trekking. This meeting initiates trekkers to the dos and don’ts while with the chimpanzees. Travelers are allowed to spend an hour with the chimpanzees keeping a distance of 7 meters away from rare species. More still trekkers with illnesses such as flue and cough are not allowed to trek to avoid the transmission of these diseases. Chimpanzees are the closest relatives to human beings, which make them so vulnerable to human diseases hence requiring trekkers to keep distance for the safety of the rare chimpanzees.
Trekkers must prepare in advance for the trek. This entails booking and paying in advance for the permit, dressing suitably in long pants, sleeved shirts, hand gloves, rain coats and hiking boots ready for a trek. Besides clothing’s, trekkers carry non-flash light cameras, packed lunch, enough drinking water, walking stick and energy supplements since trekking entails the use of energy. Once a trekker has these, a phenomenal experience is an assurance
Conclusively therefore, it is great experience spend time with the closest relatives to human beings. Chimpanzee trekking offers the great experience that no traveler should miss out.
