The chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda is one of the best African primate encounters. Uganda has a population of over 5000 chimpanzees living in different destinations distributed throughout the country. Kibale National Park is the prime chimpanzee trekking destinations in the country.
For a moment with the chimpanzees in Uganda, one can choose to do chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation experience. Book a chimpanzee permit for every chimpanzee safari in Uganda as this is the ticket that allows tourists time allocated to every encounter.
Chimpanzees are the closest animals to humans with a DNA of about 98% to that of humans. When with them you will notice some very close similarities with some human traits like using tools available to them to solve a problem they encounter and more. The chimpanzees are political animals that democratically choose their leaders ( Alpha Male)
Essential Details For Chimpanzee Trekking safari in Uganda
- Chimpanzees are highly vulnerable and susceptible to human infections especially contagious diseases like flu, cough so volunteer to stay behind in case you are diagnosed with one.
- Briefing before chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is compulsory no matte how many times you participate in this adventure
- Adhere to rules of chimpanzee trekking as explained in detail by the ranger guide
- Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is on foot as no means of transport can take you throughout the forest as you search for these primates. The jungle is quite rough when on chimpanzee trek but wear the right chimpanzee safari gears.
- Uganda chimpanzees live in the rain forests majority have high humidity so prepare for such an environment.
- You can choose the morning or afternoon chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda
Where To Go For Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Uganda
Chimpanzee Trekking In Kibale National Park
The key chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda is Kibale National Park in Western Uganda. Kibale National Park with an area of 795 square kilometers is home to 13 primate species, over 325 bird species, more than 351 natural tree species and more. Chimpanzee habituation process in Kibale National Park started in 1991 to date.
On Chimpanzee trekking day in Kibale National Park, tourists gather at the Kanyanchu visitor center for briefing and this serves as the main headquarters of the park. A secondary center is at Sebitoli in the Northern Part of Kibale National Park.
At the moment about 12 chimpanzee trekking communities are confirmed and open to the public. Chimpanzee habituation experience is open in Kibale National Park with 4 hours with semi habituated chimpanzees.
Other Safari activities to do in Kibale National Park
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- Birding in Kibale National Park
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- Forest hike
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- Bigodi wetland Sanctuary visit
- Community Visit around Kibale
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Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge In Queen Elizabeth National Park
The chimpanzees live in Kyambura gorge a 100 meters deep canyon curved by River Kyambura as it paved its way towards Kazinga channel. During the Kyambura gorge chimpanzee trek, tourists hike to the forested area to search for the community of chimpanzees living here.
The forest is home to other primates too like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, olive baboons and more.
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest
Budongo forest is home to a community of chimpanzees mainly used for research purpose but currently these chimpanzees are open to the public.
You need to book a chimpanzee trekking permit for Budongo to participate in this Uganda safari adventure. Chimpanzee habituation Experience is open in Budongo forests too.
A number of birds are living in Budongo forest and keen birders have a double opportunity to enjoy these amazing birds.
Chimpanzee Trekking In Kaniyo Pabidi Forest
When in Murchison Falls National Park, a chimpanzee trekking experience in Kaniyo Pabidi forest is exciting. From the main gate of Murchison Falls National Park, the distance to drive to Kaniyo Pabidi forest is about 8 kilometers
While searching for chimpanzees in Kaniyo Pabidi forest, you come across some of the few leftover fully grown Mahogany trees and other rare natural tree species. Several forest birds flock Kaniyo Pabidi forest.
Kalinzu Forest
On the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park is Kalinzu forest where a community of chimpanzees is living. The chimpanzees of Kalinzu forest are mainly used for research but during peak season, chimpanzee trekking in this forest is open.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
A community of rescued, abandoned, chimpanzees that cannot return to their communities are given a second home in Ngamba Island an environment close to the forest where they live in the wild. To get to Ngamba Island, water transport is used or air
Two chimpanzee viewing sessions are open to the public per day that is morning and afternoon. Visitors stand at the feeding platform to enjoy the chimpanzees as they scramble for food delivered to them just like humans survival for the fittest is the order of the day.
Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC)
Some chimpanzees are living in Uganda Wildlife Education Center the former Entebbe zoo in an exhibit with environment similar to where they live in the jungle. These chimpanzees can be viewed from the points allocated by the center caregivers.
Guidelines For Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Uganda
- Secure your chimpanzee trekking permit in advance
- Maintain some level of fitness before the chimpanzee trek as the search to find these primates takes sometime.
- Age limit for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is 12 years and over except for a visit to Uganda Wildlife Authority or Ngamba Island.
- Follow the chimpanzee trekking rules as these have been proved over time.
- Pack and wear the right chimpanzee trekking gears including safari boots, camera, insect repellants and more.
- Choose to do chimpanzee trekking in the morning or afternoon
Cost Of Chimpanzee Trekking Permit In Uganda
The cost of chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda varies with destination however some of the notable chimpanzee permit costs for Uganda include:
Kibale Chimpanzee trekking permit cost $250 per person for international nonresidents, $200 foreign residents, 180,000shs for East Africans
Kyambura gorge chimpanzee permit cost : $100 per person, $80 for international residents and 50000shs East Africans.
The cost of chimpanzee permits in Uganda can change anytime without warning.
How Sure Can I Be To See The Chimpanzees During Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking
Be sure to see the chimpanzees during chimpanzee trekking in Uganda as each day a team of ranger guides from Uganda Wildlife Authority routinely patrols their habitats to find where they may have nested.
On chimpanzee trekking day, tourists have to attend compulsory briefing where guidelines of this adventure are explained in details to tourists and these are meant to maintain harmony in the wilderness.
Tourists are requested to assist with tracing the chimpanzees during chimpanzee trekking using the clues they leave behind like freshly chewed foliage, fresh foot prints and more. These leads may get you to where the chimpanzees may be spending the day.
Chimpanzees stay in a particular feeding location for a certain period that may extend to about a year until food is insufficient then the community moves. Ranger guides with tourists are able to locate the chimpanzees during this time.
How Long Is Chimpanzee Trekking In Uganda
Time to take on chimpanzee trekking varies with factors prevailing in the forest like food source location, prevailing weathers conditions of the day, pace of fellow tourists and more.
Maintain some fitness level before chimpanzee trekking to enable you walk through the forest as time of finding these primates is hard to determine.
Shift your focus to other forest dwellers during chimpanzee trekking in order not to give up the search. The forest has other inhabitants including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys and more.
When you finally find the chimpanzees, one hour with them is allowed as they are habituated to be with humans for just that time as a conservation measure.
Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Rules
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Maintain a distance of 8 meters from the chimpanzees
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Never enter the forest for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda without an escorting ranger guide from Uganda wildlife Authority
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Do not eat while before the chimpanzees or else stay in about 200 meters away from them to smoke or enjoy a snack.
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Limit for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is 12 years and beyond.
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If you catch a communicable infection before chimpanzee trekking and still sick with it during the safari, volunteer to stay behind to protect these primates from catching it.
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No structured toilets in the jungle therefore request from the ranger guide to dig a hole for you atleast 30 centimeters deep and cover well beyond recognition.
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No provoking the chimpanzees during chimpanzee trekking as this may rub wrongly with the chimpanzees.
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No flash photography when with the chimpanzees as this may scare these vulnerable primates.
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Abid by the rules of chimpanzee trekking
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Only one hour is allowed with the chimpanzees.
Packing list for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Safari boots
safari attire
warmers
insect repellant
Camera
Foldable drinking water bottle
Rucksack
Rain proof gears
First aid kit
Energy treats
Garden gloves
Extra hard cash
Why Choose Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is one of the most authentic encounters in the world as destinations where these primates live are being wiped out. Part of the funds spent on the chimpanzee permit is annually shared with the community as a way to help them support their projects and appreciate the presence of the chimpanzees plus their habitants.