Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo Forest

Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest is one of the top amazing things to see and do in Murchison Falls national park.  Located approximately 08kms from the Kichyumbanyobo gate into Murchison Falls National Park is Budongo forest.

Budongo Forest is home to a smaller population of chimpanzees that can be tracked on your way in or out of Murchison falls National park. Besides chimpanzee tracking, travellers can opt to take part in Chimpanzee Habituation which can only be done in the low season months of  March, April & November.  These low season months are the best time to travel for persons seeking to travel with fewer crowds. This also when lodges offer amazing discounts on accommodation.

WHAT TO EXPECT: CHIMPANZEE TRACKING IN BUDONGO

Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo forest takes place in two (02) sessions; morning and afternoon. The morning session starts at 7:00 am with a briefing from a trained UWA guide about the rules governing chimpanzee tracking, what to and not do during chimpanzee tracking. After your briefing, you will then head Into the forest in search of the chimps. Silence in the forest is advised as it is one of the ways you will be able to track the chimps and know where they are following the vocalisations they make in the forest.

Chimpanzee tracking generally lasts 3-hours. One hour is allocated to searching for the chimpanzee, another one (01) hour for viewing and photographing them, and the third hour is spent getting out of the forest – marking the end of your chimpanzee tracking experience.

BEST TIME TO GO CHIMPANZEE TRACKING IN BUDONGO FOREST

Although Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo is considered an all-year-round activity, the best time in our opinion is December to March and also in June and July when rainfall is less.

June to September is Peak/High season for tourism in Murchison falls National park and Uganda at large. If you choose to travel this time of the year, then ensure you plan and book your safari well in advance as permits, accommodation etc are very competitive to book and often get soldout. You should also be ready to deal with the effects of crowds during game drives, and traffic at your buffets.

March, April, May, October and November is the low season with fewer crowds, and most lodges are offering amazing discounts on accommodation. Chimpanzee permits are available and often less competitive to book. However, this is the time is all when the rains are heavy cutting short your game drives, making the trails slippery and very challenging to navigate.

• If you are a bird-lover, March – November is a good time to see some migratory birds.
• The low season months are characterised with rains that give the vegetation varied shades of green – a good time to do some photography.
• Stay longer (up to 4hours) with the chimpanzees of budongo Forest on a programme called Chimpanzee habituation.

**Depending on when you choose to go chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest, it’s important to understand that chimp tracking in the wet season often lasts a short time as the forest has plenty of fruiting trees and food is in abundance compared to the dry season when there is a scarcity of food which causes a change in chimpanzee movements as they tend to go deeper into the forest in search for food.

January and February are the hottest months for Murchison Falls National Park with the temperature soaring to 29°C. It can be very uncomfortable to engage in activities like game drives, boat safari including hiking up to the falls.

WHERE TO STAY IN BUDONGO FOREST & MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Budongo Eco-lodge is the ideal mid-range place to stay and is the best suited because of its proximity to the actual Chimpanzee briefing point.

Alternatively, for travellers seeking a traditional cultural experience, Staying at the Boomu Village might be ideal. Boomu village bandas are extremely basic but deliver an authentic African homestead experience – there are not many places like this.

Travellers with a desire to stay at more affluent properties with a pool, and serve 3-course meals, properties like bakers Lodge and the newly opened Nile safari lodge might suffice.