Chimpanzee tracking is one of the best products Uganda offers to tourists interested in visiting the country. The interaction of tourists with chimpanzees was designed by Uganda wildlife authority to be enjoyed in two ways depending on the tourist’s budget and the client’s schedule whereby clients can either go for chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation experience.
Chimpanzee trekking is a lifetime experience in a way that you get a chance to observe these close relatives of ours which share 98.7% DNA with human beings. Chimpanzees are found in 21 African countries across Africa for example in East Africa name the countries, Central Africa and West Africa. Uganda is the best East African country for both chimpanzee trekking and habituation since it hosts almost 5000 chimpanzees at present in different forests and national parks like Kibale National Park, Budongo forest in Murchison falls, kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national parks and other areas outside national parks like Bigodi wetland sanctuary, Buniga forest, and Bwindi impenetrable forest. Chimpanzee tracking is one of the most sought experiences one should not miss on a Safari in Uganda. However, the government through the Uganda Wildlife Authority has played a great role in conserving these popular primate species through implementing various measures favoring their multiplication in order for the future generations to also see them.
Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking is done in Kibale national park, Budongo forest in Murchison falls, Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary and Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park. Tourists going for chimpanzee tracking are supposed to reach the Visitor Center before the tracking time (08.00 and 15.00) in Kibale national park in order for them to be registered and briefed by the guides. One hour is supposed to be used for observing chimpanzees and photo taking. Chimpanzees are amazing to see when playing, grooming, copulating, resting, climbing trees, swinging on tree branches, breastfeeding among others. This activity takes one hour and limited to a group of six members in a group depending on your schedule. During this one hour, trekkers also get a chance to see the black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkey, and grey-cheeked mangabey among others. Travelers who opt to participate in this expedition should be 12 years and above.
Each chimpanzee permit costs USD 150 for foreign non-residents, in Kyambura gorge, both foreign non-residents and foreign residents pay USD 100. Advance booking is recommended to avoid inconvenience; therefore, our clients are required to send their money for booking in advance in order to purchase the permits within time.
Chimpanzee habituation in Uganda
Chimpanzee habituation starts very early in the morning, you are advised to wake up very early to prepare yourself have breakfast, packed lunch and 2 bottles of drinking water, then our guide will drive you to the park headquarters at Kanyanchu visitors information center where you will meet fellow trekkers before you hit the jungle. Our driver-guide will accompany you and park ranger to the starting point of your chimpanzee habituation experience on their day to day activity. At the headquarters, park ranger guides will brief you about the rules and regulations before you set off into the jungle to see the mighty cousins. Chimpanzee habituation is an exciting activity-you will be able to see and stay with the chimpanzee the whole day as they play and feed, take colorful pictures and videos with our closet cousins. Kindly contact Adyeri Creations Limited so we can tailor your primate safari in Uganda.
It’s both exciting and challenging in a way that you encounter challenges while going to observe the chimpanzees like the slippery ground, carrying things to be used during the activity like cameras, binoculars among others. Chimpanzee habituation is quite challenging but once you set eyes on these primates, you don’t regret why you decided to participate in it, because it’s amazing to see them feed, play, copulate among others.
Chimpanzee habituation is done either on a half-day or full basis day basis. This activity calls for advance booking in order for us to organize for you a lifetime experience.
How to get there
Kibale National Park is located in western Uganda, 26 km southeast of Fort Portal town. The northern route is shorter and faster and has a distance of about 300 km (5 hours) drive on tarmac road to Fort Portal. The trailhead for chimp tracking, chimp habituation and the main center of tourist activity within the park is the Kanyanchu visitors information center which lies 35 km south of Fort Portal on a tarmac road.
Where to stay
· Primate lodge
· Ndali lodge
· Kibale forest camp
· Rweteera safari park
· Nyinabulitwa country resort and safari park