Kalinzu forest chimpanzee trekking permits, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kalinzu forest chimpanzee trekking permits: Kalinzu forest is a natural forest reserve that is located in south western Uganda in Bushenyi district close to Maramagambo forest in Queen Elizabeth national park. Kalinzu forest is a habitat of abundant wildlife including 6 species of primates such as chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, over 379 bird species, 260 butterflies, 98 moths, 414 tree species, mammals such as elephants, duikers, lions, bush pigs, waterbucks among others which seek refuge from Kalinzu forest.
Chimpanzee trekking
Kalinzu forest is the second best destination for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda after Kibale forest national park because it harbors the high numbers of chimpanzees and offers breathtaking and great chimpanzee trekking experience. Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest is the major activity carried out and it involves visitors moving into the forest in search of the habituated chimpanzee families and once found spend one hour with the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest starts early in the morning with a briefing about the expectations and then start trekking in the forest with steep slopes and muddy grounds which makes trekking somehow difficult. Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest takes about 3 to 4 hours or even longer depending on the location of the chimpanzees because they are mobile and like to move deep in the forest in search of food. Once the chimpanzees have been found, visitors spend one hour with them in their natural habitat learning about their behaviors, habits, taking photos and recording videos which gives you a great experience on your safari.
Chimpanzee trekking permit
A chimpanzee trekking permit is a legal document that is issued to visitors allowing them to trek chimpanzee family in Kalinzu forest. The chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest costs $50 which is more less than chimpanzee trekking in other destinations like Kibale forest national park which costs $150 and Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park which costs $85.
How to book a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest
Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest can be booked directly at the Reception Centre of Kalinzu forest or through a tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris. When booking a permit through Achieve Global Safaris, you will contact us with the date and month when you want to trek the chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest and we will purchase and reserve the permit for you.
When to book for a chimpanzee trekking permit
A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest can be purchased anytime throughout the year and can also be acquired on the day of trekking but it’s advisable to acquire the permit in advance so as to be on a safer side because they can get sold out especially during the peak season in the months of June to August and December to February.
Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest includes the services of a park guide and one hour in the presence of the chimpanzees and excludes a porter and tips.
Other activities carried out in Kalinzu forest
Bird watching, Kalinzu forest is a home of over 379 bird species which makes it one of the best birding destinations in Uganda. During bird watching in Queen Elizabeth national park you will be able to view bird species like the great blue turaco, black and white casket, sunbirds, cuckoo birds among others.
Wildlife viewing, Kalinzu forest is near queen Elizabeth national park and Maramagambo which means that some animals cross from the park to the forest to feed such as waterbucks, duikers, giant forest hog, buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, wild pigs among others therefore visitors will be able to view some of these animals while in the forest especially in areas that are close to Queen Elizabeth national park.
Butterfly identification, the forest is a home of about 262 butterflies which gives visitors an opportunity to participate in identification of the colourful butterflies.
Nature walks, Kalinzu forest offers an activity to visitors to walk around the forest following different trails such as the river trail where you will view different primates, palm trail which offers great views of tree species, valley trail, waterfall trail with beautiful waterfall among others.
Best time to visit Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu forest can be visited all year round though the best time to go for chimpanzee trekking is during the dry season in the months of June to August and December to February. During the dry season the forest receives less rainfall and chimpanzee trekking will be success in that the forest trails will be passable compared to the wet season in the months of March to April and October to November when there is heavy rainfall which makes the trails muddy and slippery. However the wet/rainy season is an ideal period for bird watching for the bird lovers therefore Visitors travelling to Kalinzu forest especially in the wet season should carry equipment’s such as hiking shoes, garden gloves, long sleeved shirt and trousers, insect repellent, rain jacket, back pack, camera, binoculars among others.
How to get to Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu forest is located in south western Uganda in Bushenyi district and can be accessed by road transport means where by you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi to the forest headquarters which takes about 6 hours’ drive. Kalinzu forest can also be accessed from Queen Elizabeth national park by driving from Mweya peninsular to the forest which takes about 45 minutes.
In case you don’t want to travel long distance, you can opt for a flying option by booking scheduled or chartered flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Mweya airfield and then connect to Kalinzu forest for chimpanzee trekking.
Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu forest is a key tool that allows visitors to participate in an exciting and breathtaking chimpanzee trekking activity which can be combined with other activities in Queen Elizabeth national park such as game drive in Kasenyi plains, boat cruise at Kazinga channel, lion research tracking, mongoose tracking at Mweya peninsular among others to make your safari in Uganda unforgettable.
