Chimpanzee Trekking at Kalinzu Forest – To avoid missing out on chimpanzee trekking, it is advised to book early, at least two months before your travel date. You need a trekking permit, which is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Only visitors aged 15 and above are allowed to trek, as younger children may struggle to follow the rules or could get lost in the forest.
Most tourists prefer to trek in the morning to watch the chimpanzees as they begin their daily activities. This is also a good time to enjoy the green scenery. However, if you want to film, you must get a media permit and always respect people’s privacy.
During the walk, you will pass through areas with many birds that sing as you move through their home. You can take photos of the birds and the beautiful surroundings. Tourists who choose to trek in the afternoon may see chimpanzees returning to their shelters or carrying their babies, which is also an exciting moment. You are given one hour to stay with the chimpanzees in their natural home.
Besides chimpanzees, you may also see blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, and others. Kalinzu Forest is located in the southwestern part of Uganda in Bushenyi District. It is near Queen Elizabeth National Park and Maramagambo Forest, making it easy to combine your trek with a visit to other nearby attractions.
The forest is home to over 320 chimpanzees, with 50 that are habituated and used to human presence. This makes Kalinzu the second-best place for chimp trekking in Uganda after Kibale National Park.
The trekking begins with a briefing, where you will be told the rules and what to expect. After this, you will be assigned a guide who knows the forest well. Trekking can take between 30 minutes to four hours, depending on where the chimpanzees are on that day.
Trekking is usually easier in the dry season, but many visitors still go in the rainy season when fruits are more available and chimpanzees are easier to find. However, the ground can be slippery, so it is best to pack safari boots and a waterproof rain jacket.
During your visit, you can choose to camp or stay at one of the lodges in Bushenyi. Some nearby accommodation options include Elephant Plains Lodge, Marafiki Safari Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, and Kasenyi Safari Camp.
Kalinzu Forest is one of the best places for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.
