Tap to book now

Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Clothing and Dress Code – What to Wear While Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda?

Though it’s vital, chimpanzee trekking clothing and dress code is often ignored by most visitors undertaking Uganda chimpanzee safaris.

Putting on the right clothing while tracking chimpanzees in Uganda results in a successful and memorable adventure! Remember, all Uganda chimpanzee tours take place in tropical rainforests of Kibale Forest National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Budongo Forest, and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Therefore, for safety matters while in the tropical rainforest, you must know what to wear while trekking chimpanzees.

In this Uganda chimpanzee tracking blog, we have brought to you all the suitable clothing and footwear while on your Uganda chimpanzee expeditions. This guide is also ideal for people going for Uganda Chimpanzee Habituation Experience.

Don’t disorganize your wardrobe looking for what to wear for your chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda!

Here is the list of what we recommend wearing for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda:

  1. Long-sleeved shirts and trousers
  2. Hiking boots
  3. Insect repellents
  4. Garden clothes
  5. Small backpack
  6. Sunglasses
  7. Sunhat
  8. Light woolen stocking
  9. Rain jacket
  10. Warm sweater

A detail of the Chimpanzee trekking clothing and dress code:

  • Long Sleeved Shirts and Trousers

While on your Uganda chimpanzee trekking expeditions, consider putting on long-sleeved shirts and trousers. Such attire protects you from nettles, thorns, and branches that might scratch (prick) your body as you track chimpanzees in the rainforest.

More still, we argue ladies to wear comfortable bras as this hike can be fairly tough.

Some visitors ignore this advice and put on shorts and short-sleeved shirts however, at the end of the day, they expose their skin to scratches. Therefore, stick to this advice!

Precautions While Choosing Chimpanzee Trekking Clothing (Shirts & Trousers)

  • Opt for eco-friendly colors.

These include khaki, brown and grey. Bright colors such as red should be avoided as they stress Chimpanzees.

  • Avoid camouflaging clothes.

Camouflaging shirts or trousers most especially army green should be avoided as they are reserved for military personnel in Uganda.

  • Hiking Boots

The hiking boots protect your feet from getting damaged or injured while on the chimp trek. While on the chimp tracking trail for example in Kibale Forest National Park, you come across a challenging terrain, crawling creatures, as well as thorns, but these boots will save you from all this.

We advise you to look for waterproof comfortable boots that are light and should be covering your ankles. Hiking boots give you stability, balance as well as traction and should be won with thick socks.

Tuck your trousers into your socks to avoid safari ants in case of any. It might sound unfashionable but, it’s the way to go!

Note that sometimes (in the rainy season), some points of the chimp tracking trail can get slippery and this is the reason why all the time park rangers wear gumboots. It’s hard to find anyone putting on sandals, white sneakers, or any inappropriate footwear.

  • Insect Repellents

All Uganda chimpanzee trekking tours take place in tropical rainforests where there are different insects. Therefore, we advise you to wear insect repellent to avoid any possibility of biting insects, especially Mosquitoes.

We recommend that you get that one having over 50% DEET as it stays longer.

  • Garden Gloves, Leather Gloves

These keep your hands safe while on the chimpanzee trekking trail in case you touch thorny plants, inching plants, and tree branches as you try to support yourself in the forest.

You are free to put them when you meet Chimpanzees- (man’s closest cousins sharing 98-99% of human DNA) to take good photos.

  • Small Backpack

While on the chimp trek, a light backpack keeps all your day essential items safe and easy to handle, for example, a camera, phone, bottled water, and insect repellents. It has to be fairly waterproof just in case rain finds you in the jungle.

  • Sunhat

A sun hat (wide-brimmed hat) is of help when tracking chimpanzees, especially in the dry months (June to early September and December to February). It will protect you from direct scorching sunlight as you search for chimpanzees.

Sun hats can be bought from local craft shops around any chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda.

  • Sunglasses

Sunglasses help to protect your eyes from strong tropical light rays. They are so vital in dry months when sunshine is received in most hours of the day.

After encountering chimps, you can put them off to enjoy clear views.

  • Light Woollen Stocking

These provide comfort while wearing hiking boots. They should be long enough to allow you to tuck in your trousers.

  • Warm Sweater

Tropical rainforests are usually cold in the morning hours therefore, it’s ideal you come with a sweater on your chimpanzee trekking adventure to keep you warm.

  1. Rain Jacket with Hood, Rain Poncho

All Uganda chimpanzee tours take place in rainforests which are prone to rainfall all year round. In these areas, rainfall can be received at any time of the day regardless of the season.

Therefore, you should come with a rain jacket for your chimpanzee tracking adventure for instance, in Kibale forest national park.

We advise you to carry a light rain jacket that you can easily fold and keep in your bag pack till when you need it.

Some Common FAQs About Uganda Chimpanzee safaris

  1. Best Time to Go Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda

Dry season June to early September and December to February is the best time to undertake chimpanzee tracking Uganda safaris. However, this adventure remains possible all year round.

In dry months, less rainfall is received in most tropical rainforests and therefore, chimpanzee trekking trails are normally drier and easier to hike. The dry season is the peak season in Uganda, most lodges are busy, and you must book in advance your chimp trekking permit.

March-May and late September-November are wet months. Much rainfall is usually received in rainforests, and it can inconvenience while tracking chimpanzees. During this time, chimps are easily spotted as they don’t move deeper into the jungle due to plenty of food in the forest.

Budget travelers on Uganda tours should target a wet season as some lodges offer discounts to clients. Also, it’s easy to book a chimpanzee tracking permit in this low season.

  1. Chimpanzee Trekking Uganda Price- How Much Is a Chimpanzee Trekking Permit in Uganda?

The cost for a Uganda chimpanzee tracking permit is charged differently depending on the destination you intend to visit.

  • Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park: $200
  • Budongo Forest: $120
  • Kalinzu Forest: $50
  • Kyambura Gorge: $50
  1. How to Book a Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Permit?

It’s possible to book your Uganda chimpanzee trekking permit directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA offices) but, most travelers book theirs through tour operators.

  1. Where Can I See Chimps in Uganda?

There are 4 destinations for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. These include Kibale forest national park, Kalinzu Forest, and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth Park as well as Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park.

Your tour operator will guide you on the best place to go for your Uganda chimpanzee trip.

  1. Where Is the Best Place to Track Chimpanzees in Uganda?

Kibale National Park is the best place for Uganda chimpanzee trekking safaris. This stunning park holds the highest concentration of chimps in Uganda as well as other primates such as Red-tailed monkeys, Vervets, Blue Monkeys, Colobus Monkeys, and Baboons.

The other area that also offers notable chimpanzee trekking expeditions in Uganda is Kalinzu and Budongo forest.

  1. How Long Is Chimpanzee Trekking Adventure?

All Uganda chimpanzee expeditions take about 2-5 hours. This duration depends on the movement of chimps. After spotting them, you’ll be allowed to watch them for one hour.

  1. Is Chimpanzee Trekking Safe?

Indeed, all expeditions for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda are safe. Regardless of the place you visit, all chimp treks in Uganda are done on fully habituated chimpanzee communities familiar to people. For example, chimps in Kibale forest national park have been tracked for over 25 years.

You’ll be escorted by armed park rangers who ensure your safety in the jungle.

In summary, for comfort and safety reasons on your Uganda chimpanzee tours, we encourage you to dress appropriately. Among others, key chimpanzee trekking clothing includes rain jacket, hiking boots, insect repellents as well as long-sleeved shirts and trousers.

Book Today Your Chimpanzee Trekking Uganda Safari with Us for a Rewarding Experience!

Want to visit Kibale Forest?

Want to visit Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda's best chimpanzee trekking destination?

×