New Chimpanzee Permit Prices for Budongo Forest – Reserve your permit for free and create everlasting memories!
Everything you must know about the new chimpanzee permit prices for Budongo Forest. Chimpanzee trekking and habituation were recently introduced in Budongo Forest. This came with establishing chimpanzee permit fees for both experiences. Budongo Forest Reserve is part of the Murchison Falls National Park conservation area. Tourists on a Uganda safari visit the park for the primate encounters. Chimpanzees are one of the largest primates that share 98%of the DNA with man. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest is done on foot. The activity involves tourists walking through thick forests in search of chimpanzees.

Before chimpanzees in Budongo are declared open for tracking, they first undergo a chimpanzee habituation experience. Chimpanzee habituation experience in Budongo Forest is a process that takes almost two years or more. A particular chimpanzee family is followed so often until they get used to human presence. Once the family gets used to human beings, it is officially declared open for trekking. When you pay the new chimpanzee permit prices for Budongo Forest, you will have a chance to spend time in the jungle and write your own story with the primates.
The cost of the chimpanzee permit price for the Budongo forest and the price of these permits are determined by the season. This is the seasonal breakdown of the new chimpanzee permit prices for Budongo Forest; 130 USD for the foreign nonresidents, 120 USD for the foreign residents, and 85 USD for the East African residents. In the low season, the chimpanzee trekking permits cost 120 USD for foreign nonresidents, 110 USD for foreign residents, and 80 USD for East African residents.
On the other hand, the new chimpanzee habituation permit for Budongo Forest is 230 USD for foreign nonresidents, 160 USD for foreign residents, and 90 USD for East African residents. Travelers planning the chimpanzee trekking safaris to this park are supposed to pay for the park entrance and these fees include; 40 USD for the foreign nonresidents, 30 USD for foreign residents, and 20,000 UGX for the East African residents.
How is the chimpanzee trekking experience in Budongo Forest Reserve?
Chimpanzee trekking in the Budongo forests starts with a briefing at the park headquarters. During the briefing, travelers are highlighted the dos and don’ts of the activity. Tourists are grouped and every small group is assigned an armed ranger guide and armed army officer to ensure safety during the safari. Tracking of the chimpanzee takes about 30 to 4 hours of the day depending where travelers will find the chimpanzee. The chimpanzee habituation in this forest also is carried out there where travelers are supposed to engage in this activity in the low season March to May and September to November.
What are the dos and don’ts of the chimpanzee trekking?
While on the chimpanzee trekking safaris, there are dos and don’ts about the chimpanzee trekking and they include;
Dos
- Follow the guide during the trekking
- Arrive on time for the chimpanzee trekking
- People to track chimpanzees must be 15 years and above
- Always be updated on the season
- Always keep a distance of 7 meters
Don’ts
- Do not feed and drink near the chimpanzee
- No littering in the park.
- No feeding of the chimpanzee.
- No wearing of bright-colored clothing.
- There is no use of flashlight cameras.
Where to stay for chimpanzee trekking in the Budongo forest?
Travelers planning a chimpanzee trekking safari to the Budongo forest have several accommodation facilities that they can stay in. The facilities are rated midrange, luxury, and budget facilities. The facilities in the Budongo forest include; Budongo Eco Lodge, Pakuba Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge, Chobe Lodge, Paara Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, Red Chilli Rest House, and many others. Travelers are supposed to book in advance to ensure availability during the chimpanzee trekking safaris to the Budongo forest.
How to book a chimpanzee trekking permit?
While planning a chimpanzee trekking safari, travelers on their chimpanzee trekking safaris are supposed to have a chimpanzee trekking permit. A Chimpanzee trekking permit is a legal document that travelers on their Uganda safaris that allows travelers to see the chimpanzee in the Budongo forest. The chimpanzee trekking permit in the Budongo forest can only be booked through a reputable tour operator like Native Africa Tours. It is important to book your permits at least 3 months before the trip.
Which activities can be combined with chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest Reserve?
While on the chimpanzee trekking safaris, there are other activities that travelers on their safaris can also engage in and they include;
Nature walks: Nature walks or safari walks are activities that travelers on their safaris to the Budongo forest usually engage in on foot. This activity is done under the guidance of the ranger guide. On this walk within the forest, you will see several wildlife like vervet monkeys, white and black colobus monkeys, kobs, and many others.
Birding: In this forest, there are several bird species that travelers can encounter. In the park, there are over 360 bird species that travelers can encounter during the safari. The bird species are situated around the park and the forest. These bird species include a martial eagle, a pied kingfisher, an Assyrian hornbill, a yellow-footed flycatcher, and many others. The best month to see these bird species is during November to March and June to September since this is the best to see the migratory bird species.
How to access Budongo Forest Reserve
The Budongo forest is accessed by both air and road transport. While using air transport, travelers can use the chartered flights to the Murchison Falls National Park. The flights are scheduled at either the Entebbe International Airport or the Kajjansi Airstrip to the airstrips in the park either Pakuba Airstrip or Chobe Airstrip and Bugungu Airstrip. Whereas travelers use road transport, travelers take 5 to 6 hours to reach the forest through any gate of the Murchison Falls National Park.
What is the best time to see chimpanzees in Budongo Forest Reserve?
To see the chimpanzee in the Budongo Forest, the forest is available throughout the year. The best time is during the dry season June to September and December to February when the park is dry and clear for the viewing of the chimpanzee.