UGANDA CHIMPANZEE TREKKING SAFARIS.
Uganda has a lot to discover while on your safari to Africa, ranging from wildlife to culture. Among the wildlife species of Uganda, we have the primates that are habituated and ready to be trekked by visitors.
Uganda is one of the land locked countries situated in East Africa with a long history of peace and security for the last 3 decades.
Chimpanzees are human’s closest cousins, with which we share about 98% of blood DNA and this means that chimps have a lot in common with a man and have a high sense of thinking and doing.
Therefore, chimpanzee trekking allows visitors to view and meet chimpanzees in their natural environment for only an hour after seeing them for the first time on the trek. This activity can take about 2-3 hours depending on where the chimps spent their previous night and also the activity start by a short briefing from the ranger guide or park warden.
WHERE TO TRACK CHIMPANZEES IN UGANDA?
There are different destinations where chimpanzee trekking can be done in Uganda and these are;
Kibale forest national park.
This is located in western Uganda and the nearest town is Fortportal tourism city; this is the main area where chimpanzees are trekked. It has up to 13 primates hence called the primate capital of the world. The conservation area has more than 120 habituated individuals with 95% chance of seeing these beautiful creatures.
Visitors to this forest have a chance to trek the chimps twice each day depending on your budget is this is due to having two shifts one in the morning which starts at 08:00 hours and afternoon shifts which starts at 14:00 hours.
Kyambura gorge.
Another area where you can trek these chimpanzees is in Queen Elizabeth National park (Kyambura gorge). This valley in the savannah national park is a forested area with sixteen habituated individuals.
They are rare to be spotted but a walk through this gorge is rewarding with other animal sightings as well, including elephants, primates like olive baboons, red tailed monkeys among others.
Budongo forest reserve.
Well known as part of the larger Murchison falls conversation area; this forest conserves 24 mammal species including 9 primate species, over 359 bird species, over 280 butterfly species among others.
Budongo is notable for chimp trekking experiences as you take a Murchison falls national park safari and chimpanzee permits can be purchased from Budongo eco lodge.
Kalinzu forest reserve.
This forest is located in Bushenyi, south western Uganda and the forest in a home to over 300 chimpanzees but only 40 individuals are habituated and open to visitors. A chance to spot these chimpanzees stands at 60% and the forest offers a lot that can be viewed such as beautiful scenery, birds, flora, mammals, butterflies and so much more.
Chimpanzee trekking rules and regulations.
Trekking chimpanzees is so sensitive and some rules are required which cut across all the destinations and these include;
- Do not litter in the forest while tracking chimpanzees.
- Chimps are susceptible to human diseases and therefore you are not allowed to trek if you have flu, cough and other air borne diseases.
- Keep a distance of about 8 meters while trekking the Chimpanzees.
- Do not eat while near the chimpanzees. They may come and grab it from you violently.
- Do not talk too loud, make fun of or try to intimidate/provoke chimpanzees. Taking photos using flash is not allowed. Always follow instructions from the forest guides.
- Try to visit the bathroom before heading out for trekking.
- Do not head out tracking without a guide.
Best time to trek chimpanzees in Uganda.
Uganda is a beautiful country with favourable weather; therefore trekking can be done year in year out. You are however reminded to take a chimpanzee trekking safari in dry seasons when the parks are easily accessed, the trails are dry and when there is no interruption from rains. Dry seasons start from December to February and June to September.
Are you ready to take a chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda? Contact us, we are ready to plan for you the best chimp trekking experience of life time.