Kalinzu Forest Reserve ; Chimpanzee Trekking & Camping Safaris in Kalinzu Forest

chimpanzee trekking is the main activity in Kalinzu forest thus the second-best location for chimpanzee trekking after Kibale forest national park in Uganda. The forest reserve is home to over 300 chimpanzees with 40 chimpanzee-habituated families. since the reserve is close to Queen Elizabeth national park and Bwindi’s impenetrable national park, Kalinzu Forest is a must stop over giving the visitor a great experience.

chimpanzee trekking in the Kalinzu forest is done in two sessions, namely the morning (8 am) and afternoon (2 pm) sessions both with different experiences. Tourists meet at the reverse headquarters for a briefing, group with other 5 tourists, be assigned a guide, and park ranger and then start the trek to the forest. Locating the chimpanzees may take some hours since the chimpanzees move to different parts searching for food and also the trail used matters. On spotting them, only one hour is used to take pictures, see their behaviours as they jump from one tree branch to another, communicate, groom each other, feed, play, and rest among other

In addition to less congestion and the cheap chimpanzee trekking permits at $50 than in other parks such as Kibale forest national park which costs $200, the chances of spotting chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest are high thus a great but affordable experience

Kalinzu forest is home to over 300 chimpanzees with about 40 habituated ones. The park’s main activity is chimpanzee trekking where tourists trek into the forest to search for the chimpanzees on locating them, they spend one hour with them studying their different behaviours, watching them eat, rest, breastfeed and as well as taking pictures

Chimpanzee trekking permits for Kalinzu forest can be got directly from the park headquarters, Uganda wildlife authority or through trusted tour operators to whom you provide your details, check for availabilities on the stated dates, confirm the booking and then send you a scanned copy of the permits

The chimpanzee trekking permit costs $50 thus the source of foreign exchange and as well as supporting the society through the park entrance fee

There are rules and guidelines that you need to follow during the chimpanzee trekking experience in Kalinzu Forest. These regulations were set up by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to protect both the primates and the visitors. Below are some of the regulations that you must follow during chimpanzee trekking include the following:

• You’re not allowed to trek if you’re sick, especially with flu and cough.
• You’re to always keep a distance of 8 meters between you and the chimpanzees.
• You should always follow all the guidelines that are given by the park ranger.
• You’re not allowed to feed the chimpanzees
• Visitors are not allowed to eat or drink near the chimpanzees.
• Do not urinate and poop in the park as this might cause the animals to fall sick. If you want to poop, dig up a hole about 30cm deep and then bury everything, including the toilet paper.
• The minimum age for chimpanzee trekking is 15 years.
• The only people who can help you gain access to the Park for trekking are the tour guides
• Make sure that the camera you are using does not have the flashlight setting on
• Do not make noise while trekking because this irritates the chimps and they end up migrating to another place.

For now, there are no standard accommodation facilities within Kalinzu forest yet. Clients interested in camping will need to come with their bedding, food supplies and tents. The Kalinzu Forest main camping site is close to the forest offices at Nkombe forest station but with basic facilities like solar-powered showers and Pit latrines. Firewood and Water can be picked up at the station or purchased in the nearby trading Centre along the highway.

The closest standard accommodation facility to Kalinzu forest reserve is the Homeland hotel in Ishaka. For more accommodation facility options which are more comfortable, you can choose one of the various lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park, for example, Engiri game lodge, Jacana lodge, Katara lodge, Mweya hostels, Mweya safari lodge, Park View Safari Lodge and Queen Elizabeth Pvt lodge. These facilities offer budget, mid-range and Luxury accommodation. Secure a room in one of the above lodges, and then go to Kalinzu forest for either early morning or afternoon activities and return for dinner and overnight.