Budongo Forest Chimp Trek - 2 Days
Uganda Budongo Chimps Tracking Experience - 2 Days Tour
A perfect two day mini-safari from Kampala if you want to see chimpanzees in the wild and have limited time.
Located in Murchison Falls National Park Budongo Forest Reserve is 793 square kilometres of which only 53% is forest and the rest grassland. Budongo Forest boasts of a high biodiversity of 24 species of small animals 9 of which are primates, 465 species of trees and shrubs, 359 species of birds, 289 species of butterflies and 130 species of moths. The forest is renowned for its high number of mahogany trees and chimpanzees. The forest is believed to contain some 600-700 chimpanzees.
In Kaniyo Pabidi, six groups have been habituated. In May, June, July and August visitors have over a 90% chance of seeing the chimps. In February, March, April and September this drops to 70%, and in October, November, December and January, when food is scarcer, chances drop to 50%.
For chimp tracking its best to start early around 7.00 am. The guides follow the daily movements of the habituated chimpanzee groups. Three years of recording their movements indicate July, August and September offer a 90% success rate of seeing the chimps. In February , March , April, May and September this decreases to 70 %, and in October, November, December and January when food is scarcer chances drop to 50%. The fluctuating fruiting seasons of the forest trees determine the chimp’s movements.
It can take 30 minutes or all day to find them. Only children 7 years and upwards are allowed chimp tracking. Groups are limited to 6 people.
Day 1: Murchison Falls National Park - Budongo Forest
We depart Kampala at 7 am and arrive near 11:00 am Budongo Eco Lodge where you check in at either in the dormitory or self contained room for the day.
This is a most delightful area of Murchison Falls National Park. Budongo Forest is an oasis of tranquility where one can truly feel at one with nature.
This is the oldest mahogany tree forest in East Africa - and steps have been taken to preserve this most wonderful forest with its tall and majestic trees. The forest has been under constant threat by loggers out to make a few shillings instead of looking to the future and preserving this magnificent forest for future generations.
Budongo Forest will seem like an oasis to you, the quiet being broken by the sounds of birds, primates nearby - very different from a forest in North America or Europe. Certainly a place to come and spend a couple of days in peace with creation.
Get settled into your quarters and have lunch at the Budongo Eco Lodge included in the safari price: After lunch take a guided forest walk and discover the beauty of this awesome place yourself.
- Guided forest walk of 1½ hours in length can easily be done
- 3 hour guided birding adventure
- Guided forest walk 3 to 4 hours in length
Dinner at Budongo Eco Lodge - sit on the porch of your lodging and take in the evening in this lovely part of Uganda in the midst of the Budongo Forest.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking
Breakfast in Budongo Forest. Chimpanzee tracking is a three to four hour small group experience visiting some of the habituated chimpanzees of Budongo Forest, spending an hour with them and observing them. Each day, chimpanzees like gorillas move to another location for the night building new nests for that day.
Budongo Forest is a project of both the Jane Goodall Institute and Uganda Wildlife Authority. Enjoy your time with the chimpanzees.
Lunch at Budongo Eco Lodge.
Depart for Kampala and return in the late afternoon.
Instead of a 3 hour chimp tracking, you can do an all day Habituation Experience (the permit is $150). This experience is not available during peak season in the summer months at Budongo Forest but can be done at Kibale Forest.
Included
- Safari vehicle and driver
- Fuel
- Bottled water for the journey
- Full board
- Self contained lodging at Budongo Eco Lodge
- Dormitory or private self contained room with VAT (18% on accommodation and meals)
- Entrance to Murchison Falls Park including vehicle
- Chimpanzee tracking ($85 per person)
Not Included
- Drinks at lodging
- Tips
- Phone calls
- Laundry
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