Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Uganda is a top or even the best chimpanzee trekking destination in Africa. Primate trackers have been delighted with the fact that Uganda has a high population of chimpanzees that live in their natural habitats.
Rwanda Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
Chimpanzees share about 98% of their DNA with mankind and therefore have a lot of similarities with people which make it amazing to view how they thrive in their habitats.
Chimpanzee trekking tours in Uganda offer incredible experiences as each trekker has a person interaction with the jungles and chimpanzees. The minimum age for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is 14 years of age and each individual should have purchased a chimpanzee trekking permit.
Permits should always be booked early to ensure trekking slots are reserved. There are three top destinations for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda which are Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park has the most chimpanzees in Uganda and Africa as a whole, over 1500. Some of the chimpanzee groups have been habituated and made custom to human presence and therefore trekked safely by tourists. Chimpanzee trekking is such an exhilarating experience as you get to walk through the tropical forest.
Chimpanzee trekking starts from the park headquarters for a trek through the forest in search of the chimps. Walking through the jungle, the echoes from the chimpanzees will always keep you going and searching for the chimps.
When you get to see the chimps they will enchant you for about 1 hour as you have chance to watch, experience and take recordings of these amazing apes.
- Budongo Forest
Budongo forest is the second top chimpanzee trekking destination situated close to Murchison Falls National Park. The forest is a large natural rainforest vast enough to inhabit several wildlife species within most mahogany trees. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest is done twice a day that is in the morning and in the afternoon with each session starting from the Kaniyo pabidi eco site where they get briefed about tracking.
Thereafter, they get into the forest through the tracking trails together with guides. Trekking in Budongo forest takes about 3 hours each session with a full hour of watching the chimpanzees interact.
- Kyambura Gorge-Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kyambura gorge adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to chimpanzees within the valley of apes 100 meters below sea level which offers an opportunity for those visiting the park for wildlife tours to see man’s closest relatives. Kyambura gorge, isn’t the top chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda, however, it offers one of the greatest experiences.
Chimpanzee Trekking Rules
- Chimpanzees can catch human diseases therefore you must not enter the forest if you are sick.
- Do not leave litter in the forest
- If you need to urinate or defecate, do so off the trail. Bury your waste in a hole (30 cm deep) along with any toilet paper.
- Keep as quiet as possible in the forest.
- Keep at least 8 meters (25 feet) from the chimpanzees at all times
- Do not mimic chimpanzees’ vocalization, you cannot know what you may be saying.
- Do not eat near the chimpanzees
- Do not chase the chimpanzees
- Do not use flash photography