My First Chimpanzee Trekking Experience – A Travel Journal

By: Leon Fischer – From Germany

Visiting Uganda was a dream. I arrived for the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo, #POATE2021. Before the main conference, we had seven days to explore this beautiful country. Our journey started on January 28, 2021. My first stop was Kidepo Valley National Park. We then proceeded to the famous Murchison Falls National Park. Each place offered something different, and my excitement only grew. One of the most thrilling experiences came during our visit to Budongo Central Forest Reserve. It was here that I tried chimpanzee trekking for the first time. I had heard so much about it and finally got the chance to experience it for myself.

We flew from Kidepo to Murchison Falls, a journey of about one and a half hours. After landing, we drove for another hour to reach the falls. The view was powerful. Water crashed over the rocks with energy that amazed me. We had a great time at the falls before heading straight to Budongo Forest for lunch.

After eating, we prepared for our chimpanzee trekking experience in Budongo Forest. The forest is part of the larger Budongo Central Forest Reserve. Before the trek began, we were given a short but detailed briefing. The guides explained the behavior of chimpanzees and safety measures. They also told us that sightings were not guaranteed. This kept our expectations balanced.

The team at Budongo lent me a pair of boots. I removed my shoes and wore the boots to protect my feet. The forest trail was muddy and full of ants and sharp objects. Boots really helped. Soon after, we started our two-hour trek into the thick tropical forest.

Within 30 minutes of walking, we spotted our first chimpanzee high up in a tree. That moment filled me with joy. We later saw more chimpanzees—some grooming, others mating, and a few making loud sounds. Their communication was impressive. I felt like I had stepped into a jungle movie like “George of the Jungle” or maybe “Tarzan.”

As I tried to take photos for my YouTube channel, one chimpanzee climbed down from a tree. Everyone rushed to get a better look. The chimp kept walking quickly, almost like it wanted to escape. Soon, it disappeared into the thick bushes. That sighting felt like a big win for me.

Seeing a chimpanzee that close in the wild felt like a rare victory. Many people go trekking without getting such a close view. I felt proud and lucky. The trek ended about 30 minutes later as we left the forest and returned to our base. The entire experience was worth every step.

Budongo Forest Reserve covers about 50 square kilometers. On our trek, we only explored about 1.5 kilometers. The forest is home to between 80 to 100 chimpanzees. Every step in the forest feels magical. The air is fresh, and the greenery is thick and alive.

Tips for Future Trekkers

If you plan to do chimpanzee trekking in Budongo, remember these important tips:

• Treks begin at 7 AM and end by 6 PM.

• No trek starts beyond 5 PM.

• Smoking in the forest is not allowed.

• Bring enough clean drinking water.

• Stay at least 7 meters away from chimpanzees to avoid disease transmission.

• Wear long sleeves, trousers, socks, and boots for safety.

• Chimpanzees don’t snatch items like monkeys often do.

• The rainforest weather changes fast. Carry light rain gear.

• Expect long drives between attractions within Murchison Falls National Park.

Interesting Chimpanzee Facts

Learning about chimpanzees during the trek made the experience richer. Some interesting facts include:

• Chimps live in communities while gorillas live in family groups.

• Female chimpanzees start mating around nine years of age.

• When females are on heat, they mate up to 50 times a day with different males.

• Our guide promised even more fascinating facts during the actual trek.

Other Activities in Budongo

Budongo offers more than just trekking. Visitors enjoy meals in the forest—breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served. You may also watch playful monkeys in their natural setting. If you love photography, Budongo provides many wildlife photo opportunities. The forest suits anyone curious about wild nature and calm environments.