Are you looking for chimpanzee trekking experiences in Kalinzu? This central forest reserve is located in southwestern Uganda in Bushenyi district. Kalinzu forest reserve is close to maramagambo forest and Queen Elizabeth national park. The forest is blessed with a large number of wildlife, over 380 bird species recorded in the forest, 6 primates such as blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, l’hoest’s monkeys, chimpanzees, olive baboons, colobus monkeys and vervet monkeys. Kalinzu forest has nocturnal animals such as bush babies, galagos and pottos. The park is also a habitat of about 261 butterfly species. The forest is made up of 414 species of trees, 98 moths, reptiles and flowers. The nearness of the forest to Queen Elizabeth national park helps to draw large mammals such as wild pigs, lions, leopards, antelopes and buffaloes to the forest.

Chimpanzees in Kalinzu central forest reserve

Chimpanzees are the major attractions in kalinzu forest. Out of 25 countries that had chimpanzees in Africa, it’s now 21 countries remaining with chimpanzees including Uganda. Researchers and conservationists have a belief that with time, chimpanzees are going to get extinct in more 10 countries. There total estimated number of chimpanzees in Africa is 55,000 individuals with about 5,000 individuals in Uganda.

Chimpanzees are interesting because they are close to humans and in fact they share 98.6% human DNA and they behave like humans. Chimpanzees give birth every four to five years with their gestation being 8 to 9 months just like humans. The chimpanzees take care of their young ones until they are about 5 years. Chimpanzees are social and they live in communities of between 15 and 120 individuals but their communities are sometimes split into a number of sub groups and a male is always a leader of the group. Chimpanzees are very wise that they use tools to gain access to food such as hunting for termites with sticks and opening nuts with anvil-like rocks, small primates and antelopes. Unlike gorillas, chimpanzee communities is always migration of female adolescents in particular living the group to join others

The greatest threat to chimpanzees is hunting for bush meat and habitat loss dues to deforestation and capture for pet trade. Uganda has lost thousands of chimpanzees in the last years because of snares and traps by poachers to kill other animals such as antelopes. The government and other wildlife conservation agencies such as chimpanzee sanctuary in Ngamba Island have set up rules and declared killing of these animals illegal and this has helped to protect chimpanzees. The government has put strict measures in all national parks and forest reserves such as budongo, kalinzu to protect primates and arrest anyone killing these animals.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest

Chimpanzees are the major attractions that make tourists go visit Kalinzu forest. Kalinzu central forest reserve is a home of the largest number of chimpanzees’ communities in Uganda. After kibale forest, kalinzu forest reserve is the second best place to trek chimps. The forest reserve harbors about 320 chimpanzees and 50 chimpanzees are habituated and open to tourists for chimpanzee habituation experience. Many tourists from Queen Elizabeth national park prefer trekking chimpanzees in kalinzu forest reserve even though the park has its own chimpanzees at kyambura gorge. From Queen Elizabeth national park you can easily get to kalinzu forest reserve through mweya sector of the park. The distance is a 40 minutes’ drive. Chimpanzee trekking in kalinzu forest is not difficult like gorilla trekking but it requires one to be fit enough to walk for 3 to 4 hours through difficult trails. Depending on the season the trek might need you to go through steep slopes and muddy terrains of the forest. Though chimpanzees live on lower areas unlike mountain gorillas, trekking them needs following them at a high speed which can sometimes be tiresome.

Chimpanzee trekking in kalinzu forest starts early in the morning at 8 am and last 2-5 hours led by a well-trained guide and an armed ranger. The guides and rangers are familiar with these chimpanzees because they are always involved in the habituation process. This activity is led by a guide and an armed ranger because chimpanzees might not be welcoming complete strangers. Chimpanzee trekking is done in shits with one starting in the morning at 8:00 am and the afternoon session at 2pm. Each shift has its own unique experience. Chimpanzees are active in the morning if you are lucky you will find them leaving nests, patrol around, breast feed and going out to hunt for food or secure their territories. The chimpanzees are always full by afternoon and their diet is mainly fruits, insects, birds and small mammals so when they are done with eating they love to relax and escape from direct sunshine.

Chimpanzee trekking in kalinzu forest begins with the briefing by the guide and rangers at the briefing center. During briefing the visitors are divided into groups depending on their fitness and pace. In this briefing you will be taught the rules and regulations of chimpanzee trekking after which you will move to the forest to trek chimpanzees. As you move to look out for chimpanzees you will come across birds, primates such as baboons, blue monkeys, l’hoest’s monkey, and black and white colobus monkeys. The guides and rangers always communicate by phone and they let others know where about chimpanzee movements and their locations. Chimpanzees spend most of their times on top of trees so taking photos requires some skills and efforts.

After long hours of tracking chimpanzees in through the forest, steep slopes, steep and muddy terrain, having yourself covered with tree branches, shrubs and ants. You will hear sounds of these primates from a distance and within less time you will find these primates. Visitors will be given an hour to stay with these chimpanzees while observing their behavior, eat, feed, play, go hunt and swing from tree to tree. You can also see them rest, mate or groom each other. Some chimpanzees come close to you while others fear and keep a distance. While with these chimpanzees you will notice their different sounds to express different emotions. Chances of spotting chimpanzees in kalinzu forest reserve are very high about 95%. Chimpanzee trekking in kalinzu is 50 USD making it cheaper than that of kibale forest national park which is USD 150. Chimpanzee trekking permits can be booked from Uganda wildlife authority, reception center of kalinzu forest reserve or through a trusted operator.

Other activities in kalinzu forest reserve

Nature walks:

Kalinzu forest reserve organizes guided nature walks which are memorable. You will explore a completely new world of forests, waterfalls, beautiful scenery, primate calls and singing birds. One can hike to the top of kishunja hill and see kalinzu forest from the top of the hill as well as Rwenzori mountain ranges and Queen Elizabeth national park. Outside the forest you will see beautiful plantations. Your guide will share with you the information about kalinzu forest, trees, plants and wildlife in the forest. The forest has only four walking trials that is the valley trail, waterfall trail, palm trial and the river trail. The valley trial takes you through the spectacular valleys and canopies and completing this trails takes you about 4 hours. By this time you would have seen many creatures, trees and primates such as blue monkeys, olive baboons, and black and white colobuses living in the forest. The waterfall trail takes you to see kilyantama water passing through areas of high elevation offering great views of the forest and it takes you 4 to 5 hours. River trail is good for those who are interesting in seeing chimpanzees and here visitors will also go to river kajojo where elephants mostly take their showers from and this takes you about 1 hour to complete the trail. Lastly the palm trial takes you about 2 hours to hike through flat terrain with chances of seeing interesting tree species among which include the flame tree which raised female sex drive, dragon tree and raphia palms for making African traditional huts.

Game viewing:

The fact that kalinzu forest reserve is close to Queen Elizabeth national park and maramagambo forest, some park animals such as leopards, lions, elephants, wild pigs and antelopes cross to feed in the forest. You can arrange and go the area of the forest that joins to Queen Elizabeth national park and have an opportunity to see some large animals and big cats.

Bird watching:

Kalinzu forest is a birders parasite with over 380 bird species. It’s among the best places where you can go for bird watching in Uganda. The bird species in kalinzu forest reserve include black turaco, black and white casket, cuckoos, sunbirds and some other common birds that are seen in different parks of Uganda. As you see birds, except to see forest creatures, plants, primates and beautiful scenery.

Camping:

A camping site is in the middle of kalinzu forest where visitors can stay close to nature and enjoy beautiful African nights while listening to sounds of animals and birds.

Rules and regulations in kalinzu forest for chimpanzee trekking

The forest is managed by the kalinzu forest authority in Uganda. There are rules and regulations that the visitors need to know before taking part in chimpanzee trekking activity and these include

Trekkers are grouped into 6 people to trek a particular group of chimpanzees per shift. This helps to avoid overcrowding and irritating the chimpanzees.

In order to participate in chimpanzee trekking activity in kalinzu forest, you must be aged 12 and above

Visitors are only given one hour to stay with chimpanzees and this helps to red

Smoking in front of the chimpanzees is prohibited

Visitors who are sick from flue or diarrhea are not allowed to trek chimpanzees

Visitors should lower their voices so that they can see more chimpanzees interacting with each other

Eating near chimpanzees is not allowed

You are not allowed to provoke chimpanzees because they can react violently

You are encouraged to stay in your group and you should always have a company when you are going to ease yourself.

You should keep a distance of 8 meters away from chimpanzees

Cameras with flash lights are not allowed to take photographs because it could alert the chimpanzees

Avoid littering in the forest while trekking chimpanzees

You are advised to move with packed lunch as water

How to access kalinzu forest

Kalinzu forest is located 375 km away from Kampala city. It’s located along mbarara kasese high way near Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park. To get to kalinzu forest reserve it will take you about 5 hours to reach the forest. Visitors board a bus from Butare Bus Park and on reaching butare you can hire a taxi or a boda to kalinzu forest reserve offices found near the area connecting Queen Elizabeth national park and the forest.

Accommodation at kalinzu forest

The forest has no formal accommodation facilities over now but most of the accommodation facilities are located near Queen Elizabeth national park. Visitors who want to go for camping are allowed with the main campsite found at nkombe forest station with solar powered showers. Accommodation while on a safari to kalinzu forest include Tembo safari lodge, mweya hostel and cottages, kyalimanya guest house, valley in hotel, park house hotel, hot springs hotel limited, katara lodge, engiri game lodge as well as jacana lodge.