Kalinzu Forest Chimpanzee tracking – Queen Elizabeth National park – Guaranteed Chimpanzee trekking permits
Kalinzu forest chimpanzee tracking – Kalinzu Central forest reserve is situated near Queen Elizabeth National Park and also closer to Maramagambo forest. Kalinzu forest reserve harbors number of animal species and over 379 species of birds exist in the forest with over 200 butterflies. There are six species of primates which living in Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve in Uganda they include chimpanzee which is famously visited by the travelers in the park for chimpanzee trekking, the forest reserve is the second best for chimp trekking after the Kibale forest which is a home for the chimpanzee.
There also other animals seen roaming in the forest such as baboons, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Vervet monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys. The forest also harbors nocturnal animals like bush babies, Pottos and Galago’s. The forest reserve has 414 species of trees, 98 of moths, flowers and reptiles. The close proximity to two major wildlife conservation area, has helped draw large species of animals living in the park such as like Lions, wild pigs, antelopes, leopards and buffaloes and other, when you visit the park you will have an opportunity to view several animal species at a close range during the game drives.
Read more about Lion tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kalinzu Forest chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee Trekking in the Kalinzu Forest is known as the main attraction in the Kalinzu Forest. Chimps are actually only present in 21 African countries. Scientists and conservationists estimate that Chimpanzees will be endangered in 10 more countries in the next 10 years. While 5,000 or so chimps can be identified in Uganda, 90% of the community of chimpanzees has been destroyed in the last 80 years.
Chimpanzees are fascinating as they look and behave as we humans do. In reality, they share at least 98% of their DNA with us humans. Chimps give birth every 5 years and take care of their young until they are about 12 years old. The chimps live in large groups, each with a language. Chimps are very intelligent and are known to use a variety of tools and tricks to hunt insects, small primates.
The biggest threat to chimpanzees in Africa is the loss of habitat by deforestation. Chimpanzees are also killed for their food among the peoples of the Congo or offered as pets to illicit animal dealers. In the last century, Uganda lost thousands of chimps owing to snares and other traps set up for other species, such as antelopes. The Government has taken steps and ruled the killing of chimps unlawful and has worked with wildlife conservation organizations such as the Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Ngamba Island to preserve the chimps. Strict measures are in place in all major national parks and woodland reserves, such as Budongo, to preserve the animals and to set aside someone found murdering a chimpanzee.
Chimpanzee tracking
One of the top activities that draws tourists to Kalinzu forest is mainly chimpanzee trekking, Kalinzu forest harbors the highest population of the chimpanzee in Uganda, the region is a home for the habituated chimpanzee families and it has become one of the second-best locations for chimp trekking after Kibale forest national park. The park harbors an approximately value of 320 chimpanzees and 50 habituated chimpanzee that have been open to tourists for chimpanzee trekking. Many tourist visiting queen Elizabeth national park have always preferred to take part in chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest. Although there is a highest concentration of chimpanzee in Kyambura gorge also situated in queen Elizabeth national park. It’s easier to reach Kalinzu forest through the Mweya sector of Queen Elizabeth national park, the route is a bit shorter and covers approximately 40 minutes’ drive to get to Kalinzu forest. Chimpanzee trekking, usually starts in the morning with the briefing at the parks headquarters led by the ranger guides who will guide you through the does and the don’ts while with the chimpanzee. The activity is a bit tiresome but not has hectic as gorilla trekking but it also requires physical fitness to walk through the stiff terrain and sometimes, the ground is muddy in the forest which sometimes makes it difficult to trek through the forest, the trek normally lasts for 3 to 4 hours before you locate the chimpanzee. The chimpanzees are very mobile so you will need to follow them closely until you locate them. You will be guided by the rangers/ tour guides through the forest since they are a bit familiar with the habituated chimps, they will guide you through and help locate the chimpanzee for you.
When to trek chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest
Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest has two sessions, the morning session and the afternoon session, the morning session starts at 8:00am while the afternoon shift starts at 2:00pm. Either you go for chimp trekking in the morning or afternoon
Best time for Kalinzu forest chimpanzee tracking
Based on the time of the year the most convenient time to trek chimps is in the morning hours, the chimps are more active in the morning since they be feeding around and securing their territory and the afternoon, the chimps take time to relax the shade under trees to protect themselves from the heat of the sun therefore, it makes it easy to locate them since they are all settled in one place and a successful rate of you spotting the chimps in Kalinzu forest is 95%. Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest is $ 50 per person compared to the same activity in Kibale forest national park which costs $150 per person trekking. Chimpanzee permits can be booked in advance through the tour operators or the reception center of the reservation of permits.
When to book a chimpanzee permit for Kalinzu forest
Despite the fact that chimpanzee permits can be got on the day of trekking, but it’s always advisable to book your permit earlier in order to void inconveniences. Planning to have chimpanzee trekking safari, you can check on our 3-day chimpanzee trekking safari these will help guide you through when planning for your trip in Uganda the pearl of Africa.
Other activities in Kalinzu forest
- Nature walks
besides chimp trekking, travelers can also take part in nature walks which will help you explore the forest on foot, the guided Nature walks in Kalinzu forest will give a memorable experience of being in the dense forest with a lot of beautiful sceneries .During the guided nature walk, you will have an opportunity to view beautiful scenery, waterfalls, singing birds and primate species. Walk up to Kishunja Hill Viewpoint and see from the edge the mountains as well as the Rwenzori Mountains and Queen Elizabeth National Park. You can be guided out of the forest to see beautiful plantations. Your Guide should share all the knowledge about the forest, its ancient myths and the animals that live in the woods. The forest has four main paths for nature walking–a loop for nature walks, the waterfall path, the river trail and the Palm trail. Kalinzu Forest Reserve in Uganda the walk of the valley takes you through beautiful valleys and forest canopies. Completing this journey takes 4 hours, and you would have seen many of the animals and primates living in the forest at this stage. It takes about 4 and 6 hours for the waterfall walk. The main draw here is the Kilyantama waterfall. The track crosses high altitude places,
- Wildlife viewing:
Next to Queen Elizabeth National Park and the wonderful Maramagambo reserve is the Kalinzu Central Reserve. Many species in the reserve, such as leopards, wild pigs and antelopes, move to eat in the trees. The agreement can be created to go to the forest area which connects Queen Elizabeth National Park where you have a great opportunity to view some of the large animal’s species and even big cats and also it’s a great opportunity for the visitors to spot other primate species such as baboons, blue monkey, black and white Colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and many others.
Read more about the tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Bird watching
Kalinzu Forest is a sanctuary of birders. It’s one of Uganda’s best places for birding. The genus contains the Black and White Casket, Cuckoos, Turaco Great Blue, and Sunbirds. When you look for the birds in the Kalinzu Mountains, you expect to find other mountains animals, monkeys, trees, and amazing scenery as well. In the morning hours, is the appropriate time for bird watching .You will also view a lot of butterflies the forest has over 200 species of butterflies with the help of the guide, you will have a great chance to view this beautiful creature in their natural habitat.
Rules and regulation of Kalinzu forest chimpanzee tracking
The Central Forest Reserve of Kalinzu is managed by the Uganda Forestry Authority. Before and during the chimpanzee monitoring operation, visitors are required to know and follow rules. In consideration of the protection of tourists and forest animals, these rules are designed. For instance: –
A maximum of 6 people is allowed to trek one particular chimp community per session. This is to avoid overcrowding and irritating the chimpanzee.
A person trekking chimps should be 12 years and above in order to be allowed to trek the chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest.
Visitors are not allowed to enter the forest to trek the chimpanzees on their own without Guide/ rangers who are familiar with the chimps. This is because chimpanzees can get aggressive when they spot unfamiliar faces.
Visitors with flue, cough, diarrhoea or any other transmittable diseases are not allowed to go near the chimps to avoid risk of exposure.
Keep a distance of at least 7 meters feet away from the chimps, and you must observe these at all times.
Using flash cameras is prohibited as it could alert the chimpanzees.
Always follow instructions from the Guides and do not come to close to chimpanzees. They are more aggressive than gorillas and though relatively small are more powerful than most humans.
Do not litter the forest while tracking the chimpanzees.
Visitors are only allowed one hour with the chimps. This is to limit the spread of diseases but also to avoid getting them agitated or alerted.
While with the chimpanzees, keep your voice low.do not make noise, this may disturb the chimpanzee.
Don not eat food while close to the chimps.
Don’t try to provoke the chimps.
Do not wonder alone in the wilderness, keep yourself within the group and have company even when going to ease yourself.
Remember to move with packed snack and drinking water when heading in the forest to trek the chimpanzee since these take much time before you return to the lodge.
What to wear for chimpanzee tracking
You need to be well equipped with good hiking boots, long stockings, a hat, long trousers and shirts. Do not forget to move with a hiking stick and rain jacket especially during the rainy season which in most cases the ground becomes muddy and slippery so you will need a stick for support and the right clothing to protect you from the rain and keep your body warm.
Binocular will enrich your experience, since it helps you view distant chimps who try to keep themselves up on the trees. Great Adventure Safaris can help you arrange Kalinzu forest chimpanzee tracking and permits are guaranteed.
