Chimpanzee Trekking in Kalinzu Forest Reserve

Located in Bushenyi District, Southwestern Uganda, Kalinzu Forest Reserve is a compact natural forest and an excellent destination for tourists enjoy up close and personal with chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Unlike most chimpanzee trekking destinations, Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve offers budget-friendly chimpanzee safari experiences to Uganda safari holidaymakers.

A chimpanzee trek in Kalinzu Forest Reserve involves winding through the lush rainforest in search for chimpanzees with an experienced local guide. With only 21 places where chimpanzees thrive in Africa, a visit to Kalinzu is a lifetime opportunity as you get to interact with our closest relatives in their natural habitat. Chimps share over 98% of their DNA with humans, making them our closest relatives in the wild and in Uganda, about 5050 of these unique primates all freely roam in different locations.

Kalinzu is one of the best locations in Uganda where chimpanzees can be spotted in their natural environment. Like Kibale National Park, a chimp trek in Kalinzu is done by persons above 12 years. Chimpanzees live in huge communities and naturally, they are intelligent creatures also capable of using different tools and tricks for hunting insects. Compared to mountain gorillas, chimpanzee communities often evolve with female adolescents exiting the troop to join others.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest –everything to know

Chimpanzee tracking is the major highlight and main draw to most tourists visiting Kalinzu Forest Reserve for a holiday. A total of about 320 chimpanzees freely roam within Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve with about 50 individuals’ undergone habituation. While on wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a visit to Kalinzu should be a must-do for chimpanzee trekking although it is possible to track these primates in Kyambura Gorge.

Combining chimpanzee tour in Kalinzu and game drives in Kasenyi/Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park is a great chance to enjoy a close encounter of both

primates and big five game all in their natural habitats. From Mweya to Kalinzu Forest takes about 40 minutes’ drive.

Compared to gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kalinzu chimp treks aren’t hectic however, you should be fit enough to cover the 3-4 hours round trek with chimpanzees. You will be winding via the steep slopes and muddy areas of Kalinzu Forest. These primates often move farther distances in search for what to eat and other factors.

An experienced guide will be assigned to you and you will begin an early morning search for the chimpanzee community or afternoon session. All chimpanzee trekking sessions guarantee distinct experiences. Briefing is conducted before the actual trek kicks off and after getting insight into the regulations to be followed, you will be sub-divided into three groups of people.

A maximum of one hour will be enjoyed exploring the daily behavior and taking pictures of the Kalinzu chimpanzees. You can be allowed to be part of Kalinzu chimpanzees if you have a valid permit and each is paid to USD 50.

Kalinzu Forest Chimpanzee Guidelines & Travel tips

A maximum of 6 pax will be allowed to visit a chimpanzee community per session. This is to reduce on overcrowding and any likelihood of spreading infectious diseases.

You should be above 12 years to be allowed to visit Kalinzu chimpanzees.

Don’t eat or drink in the presence of chimpanzees.

Keep a distance of 8 meters from chimpanzees at all times while on Kalinzu chimp trek.

Cover your mouth when coughing or nose when sneezing to avoid spreading any infectious diseases to these endangered species.

Keep clean the chimpanzee habitat & ensure that you carry back all used bottles.

About Kalinzu Forest Reserve

Kalinzu Forest is situated in the far Southwestern part of Uganda, Bushenyi District not far from Maramagambo Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park. In addition to chimpanzees, this lush rainforest also supports other species including the red-tailed monkeys, bush babies, baboons, l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, pottos, 98 moths, 414 tree, & 261 butterfly species.

Other safari activities to do in Kalinzu Forest Reserve

• Nature walks through the Valley trail, River trail, Waterfall and Palm trails.
• Bird watching –get to sight birds such as cuckoos, black and white casqued hornbills, Great blue turacos.
• Camping.
• Butterfly identification.

Where to stay

You can go camping or retire in any of the nearby safari lodges at Queen Elizabeth National Park. The nearby accommodation facilities around Queen Elizabeth NP to Kalinzu include Jacana Lodge, Engiri Game Lodge, Katara Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge and others.