Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda.
After gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking is regarded as the second most popular tourist activity in Uganda. Primates known as chimpanzees inhabit forests, and as we will discover later, they may be found across Uganda in places like Kibale Forest, Budongo Forest, and many more. Humans and chimpanzees share 98% of their DNA, just as gorillas do.
Because of this, they are vulnerable to human illnesses, thus tourists and anybody else who visits the chimpanzees must take the appropriate measures. Travelers may walk and spend time with around 5,000 wild and habituated chimpanzees in Uganda. The population used to be in the tens of thousands, but it has significantly decreased as a result of poaching, local instability, and animal trafficking, which saw them traded for meat and pets.
Ugandans never used to consume chimpanzees as food, but it is with the influx of folks from nations that find chimpanzee flesh palatable, say the Congolese, that have seen Ugandans learn to eat chimps therefore poach them for food.
Only 21 African nations are home to chimpanzees in the wild, but Uganda is unquestionably the greatest location for chimpanzee trekking. Chimpanzee trekking is possible in a number of locations in Uganda, including
Kibale Forest National Park
Because it provides the finest experience, Kibale Forest is the ideal place to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. Other primates that visitors may view at Kibale include grey-cheeked mangabeys, monkeys, and others. In Kibale National Park, chimpanzee trekking begins at the Kanyanchu visitor center at 8 a.m. and lasts for two to three hours.
Visitors are only permitted to spend an hour with the chimpanzees. Chimpanzee permits, like gorilla permits, do sell out rapidly, therefore reservations should be made in advance. In Kibale, a chimp permit costs $200 for non-resident foreigners, $150 for locals, and UGX150000 for East African nationals as of July 2020.
Visitors may spend the whole day with the almost totally habituated chimpanzees in the Kibale forest as part of a chimpanzee habituation excursion. While East African nationals only pay UGX200,000, licenses for chimpanzee habituation experience cost $250 for both international residents and non-residents.
Gorge of Kyambura
The Kyambura Gorge, located inside Queen Elizabeth National Park, is another location in Uganda where chimpanzee trekking is possible. The gorge is very picturesque, and some have called it the Valley of the Apes, while the BBC has called it the Lost Valley. The gorge is a portion of the Western Rift Valley, which makes it difficult to traverse over rivers and streams in pursuit of chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee hiking in Kyambura Gorge may be done while visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park and takes around three hours total. While East African people must pay UGX30,000, chimp permits for Kyambura Gorge are less expensive, costing just $50 for both international residents and non-residents.
The Forest of Budongo
In Uganda, chimpanzee trekking is possible in the Budongo Forest, which is part of Murchison Falls National Park. A one-day chimpanzee trekking excursion is very feasible since Budongo Forest is just four hours away from Kampala.
chimps may also be found in Uganda’s Kalinzu Forest and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which houses rescued or orphaned chimps.
Travelers may choose to hike from any of the several alternatives offered for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. However, many people believe that Kibale Forest is the finest place to watch chimpanzees.
Chimpanzees live in groups of ten to one hundred people, and only six people are permitted to hike with them each day for a maximum of one hour. Because the chips never actually remain set, chimpanzee trekking is more energetic than gorilla trekking. As they search for food, they continue to move and leap from one tree to another.
Travelers are expected to abide by the following guidelines and restrictions while chimpanzee trekking in Uganda:
Keep your distance from the chimpanzees at 8 meters.
Chimpanzee trekking is only appropriate for those who are 12 years of age and older.
Chimpanzee trekking is not recommended for sick people with illnesses like the flu or a cough since the chimpanzees will also get unwell.
Avoid using flash photography.
Avoid eating close to chimpanzees.
Avoid throwing trash in the park.
Travelers are recommended to pack adequately for a good chimpanzee trekking adventure in Uganda. Some things to think about include:
High-quality hiking boots with excellent traction
To protect your arms from the prickly forest foliage, wear long-sleeved clothes.
Long safari pants
Waterproof garments are essential for staying dry during the unpredictable rainy season, particularly in Kibale Forest National Park.
A waterproof backpack to safely store your valuables, such as phones and cameras
Water and energy-boosting foods to stay hydrated when hiking
It’s also advised to bring along a decent camera so you may snap images you can show your loved ones when you get back home.
Additionally, a pair of binoculars can be useful.
In Uganda, chimpanzee trekking is possible throughout the year. Travelers visiting Kibale and Budongo forests are advised to visit during the dry season, which spans from June to September and December to February. This is because the trails are too muddy and slippery during the rainy season, making them difficult to navigate. Because of the obstacles it offers, which enhance the experience, some people choose the wet season, which is the low season. Adventuresome travelers also choose this time of year.
Because chimpanzee trekking permits sell out quickly, reservations should be made in advance. They are available via reputable tour companies or the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s offices. However, it’s not too difficult to locate chimp permits during the off-peak hours.
Chimpanzee trekking is only permitted for those who are 12 years of age or older. A ranger assigns a chimp family to groups of six people, and only they are able to follow that specific monkey family.
passengers who want to experience chimpanzee trekking in Uganda must get up early and then go to the starting location for the chimps, where they will meet other passengers, after breakfast. The rangers will give you an overview of the walk and remind you of the laws and regulations that must be adhered to. After that, you will be divided into groups of six and given chimp groups to follow before starting your hunt.
The hike may take two to four hours, and while on it, visitors may see birds and other woodland critters. The rangers impart their historical and forest and gorge expertise. After meeting the chimpanzees, visitors are only permitted to spend an hour with them, during which they may snap photos and films and just observe the human relatives as they play, eat, and hop between trees. Following the one-hour period, visitors hike back to the starting point and locate their driving guides, who will either transport them back to the resort or to their next activity.
In Uganda, which is really the gem of Africa, visitors often combine the thrilling activity of chimpanzee trekking with gorilla trekking to create the ideal primate safari. To acquire the greatest primate safari package to Uganda or just a chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda, take the time to get in touch with your reliable travel providers.
