Budongo Forest Chimpanzee Tracking
Budongo Forest Chimpanzee Tracking
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4.5
58 reviews
Excellent
36
Very good
17
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
2
James L
Los Angeles, CA205 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Wow! Who knew that trekking for chimpanzees in Budongo could be as difficult as mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi. But equally rewarding. Robert, our ranger/guide, raced through the forest in search of the chimpanzee family. Unlike gorillas who move slowly through the forest, chimps seem to effortlessly move at break-neck speed through Budongo. It was so fun to just get peeks at them; and then have to take off after them as they moved to a different feeding area. A warning to photographers - it is quite dark in the forest and the chimps hang out (way up) in trees - take a fast, zoom lens on your camera. Camera phones are not going to cut it on this journey.
Written 18 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neguah
Tromso, Norway200 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
In Murchison Falls national park, you'll find Budongo forest. We were briefed before we started our trek, and it all felt safe. Not that we were scared at any time.
The trek can take as much time as you want, but of course within some limits. Our guide recommended around 3 hours. The best time to start such trek is early in the morning, after a good breakfast. You are rested and have just eaten. It might take some time before you reach the chimps. It took us around 20 minutes walking on man made dirt path. But in order to get a better view, we had to go off track. It might not suit everyone, but this is part of the excursion. going through tick vegetation not knowing what's ahead.
We saw some chips, unfortunately they were quite high up, so a binoculars is a good thing to bring. Even better, a camera with tele lens. It's a bit hard to take good pictures as there are a lot of trees. But the guide is good. They will also (at least with my group) have a spotter searching for the chimps and when he finds them he will report back to your guide. There will be some trekking, but if you got the time you will eventually see chimps. At one point a family jumped down from the tree on our path, around 50m behind us. This was a straight path, so we were able to get a rather clean view.
Bring long pants and long sleeves. It's not necessary, but the rain forest might give you some scratches. Also, there are insects that will find its way to you skin. It's just uncomfortable, not dangerous (at least what we were told). Long pants and socks over pants (or gum boots) is a good protection agains ants crawling up your leg.
Our trip was in march, it didn't rain, but since it's a rain forest it might rain anytime. I had lowered mountain shoes, the other had gum boots. I was fine.
Our guide suggested we could go further in the forest, to see some more chimps, but as this made the trip another 1-1.5 longer, we decided we had seen enough with 4-7 chimps. Our trek startet around 14pm, and we were all both tired and hungry. All in all, the trek was around 2 hours and worth the visit. The permit is $95 per person.
The trek can take as much time as you want, but of course within some limits. Our guide recommended around 3 hours. The best time to start such trek is early in the morning, after a good breakfast. You are rested and have just eaten. It might take some time before you reach the chimps. It took us around 20 minutes walking on man made dirt path. But in order to get a better view, we had to go off track. It might not suit everyone, but this is part of the excursion. going through tick vegetation not knowing what's ahead.
We saw some chips, unfortunately they were quite high up, so a binoculars is a good thing to bring. Even better, a camera with tele lens. It's a bit hard to take good pictures as there are a lot of trees. But the guide is good. They will also (at least with my group) have a spotter searching for the chimps and when he finds them he will report back to your guide. There will be some trekking, but if you got the time you will eventually see chimps. At one point a family jumped down from the tree on our path, around 50m behind us. This was a straight path, so we were able to get a rather clean view.
Bring long pants and long sleeves. It's not necessary, but the rain forest might give you some scratches. Also, there are insects that will find its way to you skin. It's just uncomfortable, not dangerous (at least what we were told). Long pants and socks over pants (or gum boots) is a good protection agains ants crawling up your leg.
Our trip was in march, it didn't rain, but since it's a rain forest it might rain anytime. I had lowered mountain shoes, the other had gum boots. I was fine.
Our guide suggested we could go further in the forest, to see some more chimps, but as this made the trip another 1-1.5 longer, we decided we had seen enough with 4-7 chimps. Our trek startet around 14pm, and we were all both tired and hungry. All in all, the trek was around 2 hours and worth the visit. The permit is $95 per person.
Written 9 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dragonogard
Japan29 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
Our tour guide was boring, never looked behind him to see if we were OK, help us with our walk etc. (unlike the tour guide on the gorilla walk) We finally saw one chimp way up in the trees. Tour guide told us other chimps were spotted ahead but were moving and basically talked us out of going further on the trek. We were happy to leave the forest - so bored. We were really disappointed with our tour guide and made a point not to tip but he just stood around at the end so we gave him $5 which he looked very disappointed about.
If you go on the gorilla trek I don't recommend this trek. You will be disappointed. See more action in the zoo.
If you go on the gorilla trek I don't recommend this trek. You will be disappointed. See more action in the zoo.
Written 26 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnnieAbi
Sydney, Australia69 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
This was a truly unique experience. Sleeping in our own Eco Cabin under mosquito nets, listening to the chimpanzees and other creatures of the forest. You are fully immersed in the forest life.
The cabins are comfortable and spacious and have a great ambience. The staff are friendly and helpful. The food was great eating out on the verandah listening to the night creatures. After dinner we sat around the campfire discussing the events of the day.
The cabins are comfortable and spacious and have a great ambience. The staff are friendly and helpful. The food was great eating out on the verandah listening to the night creatures. After dinner we sat around the campfire discussing the events of the day.
Written 20 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KarenO59
Manchester, UK38 contributions
May 2015 • Family
This was the trip of a lifetime having followed the work of Jane Goodall for many years. Tracking chimps with Sawda was the highlight of my holiday - and the one where I got the worst photos!!!! The chimps were all around us, getting on with their lives and absolutely not going to pose for tourists which made for a truly special experience. Creeping through the forest with Sawda, my husband and son with chimps running, chasing, playing, trying to mate and dozing around us was something I won't forget in a very long time.
Written 26 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
petey3
Bemidji, MN196 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
We went on the chimp tracking, and the first group of chimps we ran into were so high in the trees it was straining on your neck and they were just eating and lazy. I thought it was gunna be so boring but then we heard the males and went searching for them. WoW was that a cool experience to hear them drumming the tree and yelling and jumping around and even on the ground! Joshua was a great guide recommend you ask for him!
Written 18 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NoPlaceLkeHome
Israel506 contributions
July 2014 • Couples
Budongo on our way to MFNP.
Walking through the forest there was no sound of the chimps. They may have been taking thier afternoon nap. Just like people chimps get up in the morning and do their things, some prefer to relax later in the day. On the other hand they may also be active all day long, but this was not the case when we tracked them
When we visited there were 3 rangers walking about the forest for 2 and a half hours and none heard the sound of the chimps. Our ranger really wanted to show us he was trying, so he took us off the path and into the dense vegetation. This was not a pleasant experience, we got some scratches and had to go back several times as the path was totally blocked. It was pointless as it didn't lead to any chimps.
As we finally gave up and head to the car, the ranger got a message that a chimp has been found. We finally saw a mother and baby up on the tree, being very quiet.
Later in our trip we went chimp tracking in Kible forest, this was iin the morning and we were much more lucky, and saw many chimps on the ground.
When you go remember to have:
High socks to tuck in your pants to protect from safari ants,
Don't forget insect repellent
If you have long hair a hat or bandana is recommended so you don't get your hair tangled in the thorny vines.
Gloves can also be helpful should you need to work your way through thorny vines.
Walking through the forest there was no sound of the chimps. They may have been taking thier afternoon nap. Just like people chimps get up in the morning and do their things, some prefer to relax later in the day. On the other hand they may also be active all day long, but this was not the case when we tracked them
When we visited there were 3 rangers walking about the forest for 2 and a half hours and none heard the sound of the chimps. Our ranger really wanted to show us he was trying, so he took us off the path and into the dense vegetation. This was not a pleasant experience, we got some scratches and had to go back several times as the path was totally blocked. It was pointless as it didn't lead to any chimps.
As we finally gave up and head to the car, the ranger got a message that a chimp has been found. We finally saw a mother and baby up on the tree, being very quiet.
Later in our trip we went chimp tracking in Kible forest, this was iin the morning and we were much more lucky, and saw many chimps on the ground.
When you go remember to have:
High socks to tuck in your pants to protect from safari ants,
Don't forget insect repellent
If you have long hair a hat or bandana is recommended so you don't get your hair tangled in the thorny vines.
Gloves can also be helpful should you need to work your way through thorny vines.
Written 11 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia S
Larkspur, CA138 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
We drove to Budongo from our hotel, the Paraa Lodge - it took about 45 minutes. When we arrived we were the only tourists. We had a knowledgable guide who found the chimps in about 30-40 minutes. He tracked them as they moved around. We saw many chimps both in the trees and on the ground. Lots of male posturing and noisemaking - even some farting!! We later chimp tracked in Kibale (way too many tourists on the trek) and the Kyambura Gorge (4 hours of tracking but not one chimp). So although we understand that seeing the chimps is partly the skill of the tracker and partly luck, the Budongo experience was so terrific that it will remain our favorite chimp tracking memory. A few tips: bring binoculars so you can see the chimps better, be sure to have good shoes and socks that you can tuck your pants into - always better to avoid getting bitten by the ants! Also, as always, have a bottle or two of water.
Written 1 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen
Grand Island, NY2 contributions
Sept 2024 • Friends
I am Karen Panzarella, here from Buffalo NY USA, teaching at African Rural University with Professors Without Borders. I met a friend Daniela, who is from Switzerland, at the Coconut Village and we decided to take a chimp tracking trip. We were fortunate to have the privilege of having DAVID as our guide for our tracking adventure. This private tracking was simply amazing! David was a very talented, knowledgeable and caring guide. He took the time to explain what we were seeing and doing and took great care of making sure we were safe and avoiding obstacles that could have caused us injury. We were delighted to see many chimps in their home and understand about their mating and communication habits. David made us feel important and comfortable in our surroundings. I HIGHLY recommend David to anyone who wants to have an experience of their lifetime! The small group of us was also a clear advantage to be able to speed up when we were on a HOT trail for the chimps!
Thank you David!! ps- the private tracking is only 10$ more per person- so worth it!!
Thank you David!! ps- the private tracking is only 10$ more per person- so worth it!!
Written 11 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaime Malet Engra
Izarra, Spain2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
This place is really amazing. We were very lucky to see so many Chimpanzee and other beautiful things of nature. Thanks to the kindly Imelda Gard and her coworker. It was really great. Best regards from Spain.
Written 11 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ciao a tutti voi amanti delle scimmie e della natura... Vorrei fare un viaggio in qualche foresta africana ed è la prima volta per me... Vedendo un po' su interbet sembra che x circa 10 giorni tra volo, pernottamento e visita guidata nella foresta ci vogliano circa 3000 euro...è cosi? O cosa mi consigliate?
Written 28 August 2018
Hi Laura, I came across your question today while reviewing the above page. I highly recommend you visit Uganda, Rwanda or Congo considering they have 13 species of apes including mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. If you have any further inquiries, I am happy to help. My email is olenymario@gmailcom and my phone number is +256771979592
I am Solomon, a Ugandan based Travel Journalist.
Written 11 April 2019
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