Are you planning a chimpanzee trekking adventure in Budongo Forest Reserve and wondering what to pack for your trek? Trek Africa Expeditions is here to help you prepare with a list of essentials to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Located in Murchison Falls National Park in northwestern Uganda, Budongo Forest Reserve is a tropical rainforest home to a rich biodiversity, including over 600 chimpanzees. A small group of these chimpanzees has been habituated for eco-tourism, offering a unique opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat. Budongo is also home to other primates like Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Red-tailed Monkeys, and Blue Monkeys, as well as forest elephants, reptiles, and butterflies.
The chimpanzee trek typically starts early in the morning with a briefing at the forest headquarters. After being grouped with a park guide and ranger, you’ll begin your trek, which can last from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the chimpanzees’ movements. Once the chimps are located, you’ll spend an hour watching them as they eat, rest, and play. It’s a truly magical experience, and you’ll have a chance to see other wildlife as well.
While preparing for your trek, we advise you to pack as lightly as possible, keeping in mind the travel and luggage limitations, especially if you’re traveling in a group. Here’s a list of must-have items for your chimpanzee trek in Budongo Forest:
Are you planning a chimpanzee trekking adventure in Budongo Forest Reserve? Here are some of the most popular tours that will take you up close to Uganda’s amazing primates, including chimpanzees and other wildlife:
Getting to Budongo Forest Reserve is easy, whether you’re traveling by road or air.
By Road:
The Budongo Forest Reserve is a 4-5 hour drive from Kampala/Entebbe. You’ll head towards Masindi and then to the central part of the Budongo Forest Reserve. Visitors typically enter through the main gate of Murchison Falls National Park. You’ll need to pay the park entrance fees, but don’t worry—Trek Africa Expeditions has all-inclusive packages, so you’ll also have the opportunity to explore other activities such as visiting the Top of the Falls.
By Air:
For a quicker journey, you can opt for a flight. There are daily domestic flights to Pakuba, Chobe, and Bugungu Airstrips in Murchison Falls National Park, which reduces the drive time to just one hour. Aerolink Uganda operates morning and afternoon flights from Entebbe International Airport. Depending on your itinerary, you can choose between chartered or scheduled flights to access the Budongo Forest Reserve.
While Budongo Forest Reserve offers a variety of accommodation options, most visitors prefer staying in Murchison Falls National Park, which is close to the forest and offers a range of lodging options to suit different budgets.
For those who want to stay right within the forest, Budongo Eco Lodge offers budget accommodation with the added bonus of listening to the sounds of the forest at night.
Trek Africa Expeditions has been organizing incredible chimpanzee experiences in Uganda and Rwanda for over a decade. Our team is a passionate mix of young, energetic staff and experienced managers, all deeply dedicated to providing top-notch services. We offer reliable and timely assistance, with responses typically within five minutes.
Highly rated on TripAdvisor, we take pride in our customer satisfaction and attention to detail. When you book with us, you’re guaranteed a personalized, memorable adventure in the Budongo Forest Reserve. Whether you’re looking for chimpanzee trekking, primate safaris, or wildlife adventures across East Africa, we have the perfect package for you.
For more information or to book your chimpanzee trek, feel free to contact us here.
Let us help you plan your perfect trip to Budongo Forest Reserve!