Kalinzu Forest Reserve- Chimpanzee Tracking Uganda.
This forest is located in Bushenyi District in the the Western Uganda.It is approximately a 5 hours drive from Kampala City .This forest is close to Queen Elizabeth National Park and the extinct of Maramagambo forest.
What makes this place a must-do on your travel list
The forest harbors a variety of Species 379 species of birds 200 butterflies, 6 primates like the Chimpanzees, baboons, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys and white Colobus monkeys. It also harbors nocturnal animals like the bush babies, pottos and has a varies of tree species over 414 to include 98 moths, flowers and reptiles.
Exciting activities in Kalinzu
There are extremely exciting activities which range from Chimpanzee trekking, birding, Nature walks, camping. Our guides will take you through the activities.
Chimpanzee Tracking
This is the main attraction in this forest, very fascinating and a home for the chimpanzee habituated families. This forest is second to Kibaale Forest for Chimp trekking.
The Activity starts very early in the morning with the briefing at the park headquarters led by the ranger guides, these prepare you through the don’ts and dos of the trekking. One thing you should know that the activity is a bit tiresome so you ought to be physically fit, but not as the gorilla trekking as there is a lot of running and fast movements trying to catch up with the chimps and walking through the stiff terrain which is at times muddy .
The trek lasts about 3-4 hours before you can locate the chimpanzees a maximum of 6 people is required and the youngest should not be below 12 years. Those with flu, cough and diarrhea are highly discouraged from embarking on the trek.
The Chimpanzee trekking has 2 sessions nothing changes because the experience is the same.
One in the morning which starts at 8:00am, this time the chimpanzees are more active since they are feeding and trying to secure their territory
Then the afternoon session most times it starts at 2:00pm though other times it may start at 3 pm, the chimpanzees tend to relax under the tree shades trying to run away from the scorching sun this makes it very easy to locate them.
NATURE WALKS
Come explore the forest on foot, feeling the fresh breeze from these trees, the guided walk is such an experience you don’t want to miss out on and the eye-catching beautiful sceneries like the waterfalls, singing birds, and the Primate species. Nature walks take you through the valley trail, waterfall path, river trail and palm trail.
Valley Trail
The walk has spectacular valleys which expose you to the forest canopies, and it takes 4 hours to complete
Waterfall trail
It takes 4- 6 hours taking you through areas of high elevation.
River Trail
It is a One hour walk. The walk takes you to River Kajojo were elephants used to shower from.
Palm trail
It takes 2 hours through a flat terrain with interesting tree species.
BIRD WATCHING
The activity can be done in the morning hours, the sound of the chimpanzees makes the forest alive, there are a lot of butterflies and the forest has over 200 species exposing you to the beautiful view of other mountain animals.
CAMPING
Are you a person who loves adventure, look no further there is a camping site close to nature and enjoy the beautiful African night while listening to an amazing beautiful African night and animal sounds.
Safari Lodges
A variety of accommodation places available to include;Mweya Safari Lodge, Simba Safari Lodge, Elephant hub lodge, Park View Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge, Marafiki Lodge, Homeland Hotel near Ishaka among others.
DRESS CODE
If you are planning to visit the forest, put on good hiking boots, long stockings, a hat, long trousers and skirts and shirts. Not forgetting hiking stick, rain jacket. Please carry your Binoculars.