DID YOU KNOW WHERE YOU CAN EASLY FIND CHIMPANZEE ????????????????

CHIMPANZEE TREKKING IN UGANDA

Make no mistake, Uganda’s chimps are a draw to their own right. Occupying different habitats to the gorillas & living within distinct social structures, the chimps are close to us-not just in terms of DNA. They have a dark side that enthralls just as much as their more charming characteristics.

Uganda is unique in its ability to combine a huge diversity of wildlife & safari experiences along a single itinerary.

Chimp trekking in Uganda is one of the most remarkable wildlife experiences available on the continent.

There are 3 major chimp trekking destinations in Uganda; Kibale Forest National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, & Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Kibale Forest is the best place for chimp trekking, as the forest has high population densities & sightings are most common here.

But what is chimpanzee trekking??

Chimpanzee trekking is one of the most popular wildlife activities in Uganda, which allows you to step into the world of chimpanzees in the wild. Uganda wildlife authority interpretive rangers lead a small group (maximum of 8) into the realm of the chimps.

The treks last about 3 hours & include a maximum of an hour with the chimps, during which you can expect to see them from a safe but intimate distance of 8-10 meters. Get up & close & personal with chimpanzees & discover their beauty, intelligence, & social structures.

What is chimpanzee habituation?

Chimpanzee habituation is a fully immersive experience. You can join the researchers of the habituation team for a half/full day excursion deep into the forest. These chimps are less used to human presence, so the experience is more predictable.

Whilst it can be challenging to follow the lead of these agile primates, the experience is thoroughly rewarding.

The main difference between the standard chimp treks & the habituation experience is how long you spend with the chimps. The habituation experience allows to spend much longer in the company of the chimps. 

Coming face to face with your closest relatives in the animal kingdom is a surreal experience. You will feel a fascinating sense of familiarity as the chimpanzees’ mirror distinctly human behavior & emotions. Whether you witness a mother’s love for her baby/the mischief of a younger sibling, chimpanzee trekking is the ultimate adventure. 

Where can I go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda?

Kibale Forest National Park

Home to around 1,500 chimps, Kibale Forest national park is the main chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda.

Located in south-west Uganda, the rainforest is easily accessible from Kampala/Entebbe.

The forest has excellent chimp populations, & the park has become synonymous with chimpanzees. The chances of sightings here are at 90% or more, & the park sits along the south-western safari circuit, so it is easy to combine with other experiences.

The tracking excursions depart twice a day at 8am & 2pm. Plus, the morning excursions are busier since many itineraries combine it with an afternoon visit to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

Tracking permits are required, & they can be booked through the Uganda wildlife authority.

Chimpanzee habituation experiences are also available at Kibale. For those joining for the full day, you will join the chimps from when they break nests at about 6:30am until they nest again for the night at about 7pm. 

Budongo Forest Reserve, Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s best safari destination.

The sheer diversity of experiences on offer here is incredible. A single visit can combine game drives, boat cruises chimp trekking, hikes to epic waterfalls & landscapes, & sundowners at boutique lodges overlooking the savannah. 

In the wooded south of the beautiful park, the Budongo Forest Reserve is an excellent location for chimpanzee trekking. 

Budongo’s contact rate is about 80% which is higher than that of Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Whilst sighting chances are higher at Kibale, the lower visitor numbers make the experience more personal. Tracking permits can be booked through the national forestry authority.

The guiding is particularly good at Budongo, & up to 6 guided groups of 3 people track the chimps each morning & afternoon.

The center’s historical association with the Jane Goodall Institute means that the interpretive guides are excellent at telling wider story of the chimps & the forest.

A classic trekking excursion lasts around 3 hours & contact is usually made after only an hour of walking. A full-day habituation experience is also available here for adventurers who seek an extended encounter with the chimps.

Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park

A delighted secret cleft in the surface of the otherwise flat savannah bordering Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge is the third most popular chimp trekking destination in Uganda.

Situated in the far east of the queen Elizabeth national park, kyambura gorge is nicknamed “the valley of the apes”. The product of centuries of erosion by the kyambura river, the dense forest which covers the gorge sides is a prime habitat for chimpanzees.

As an experienced Ugandan wildlife authority guide leads you into this secret forest, you will feel like you have entered another world.

Only 17 chimps inhabit the gorge & the chances of seeing them were about 60%. The sights & sounds of the forest generate suspense & make a sighting even more rewarding. Tracking permits can be booked through the Uganda wildlife authority (if you book with us, all of this is taken care of for you).

Kyambura Gorge is usually included as an add-on to an existing safari at QENP, as the park has excellent bio-diversity so it is usually visited for game drives, boat cruises, & for the tree-climbing lions in Ishasha sector of the park.

Semliki Wildlife Reserve

In the reserve corner of Uganda, the Semliki Valley is home to a small population of chimpanzees.

Do not expect it to be easy to find the chimps in Semliki. The dry & sparse forest population means they have to roam far & wide to secure enough food.

The research programme here is on the cutting edge as they try to work out the relationship between the chimps walking on 2 legs & the evolution of our own species.

When is the best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda?

The best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is during the dry seasons of June-September & December- February.

Uganda is a year-round destination. Its equatorial climate means that temperature is consistent throughout the year. Uganda’s seasons are separated by varying levels of rainfall. March-May is the long rainy season, & October-November is the short rainy season.

Trekking conditions are easiest during the dry seasons of June-September & December–February. The clear, sunny weather should make your trek more enjoyable, but downpours are still possible due to Uganda’s tropical climate.

Uganda’s peak tourist season is June-September & the cost of accommodation is raised to meet the increase in demand. If you are comfortable with difficult trekking conditions, visiting during the rainy seasons can reduce the cost of your trip.

Permits are cheaper & easier to secure during the rainy seasons due to lower demand.

How difficult is chimpanzee trekking in Uganda?

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda requires a moderate level of physical fitness since treks are around 3 hours long.

Unlike gorillas, chimpanzees typically live at low altitudes & the gentle terrain will allow you to focus your attention on the chimpanzees. However, chimpanzees are highly active & can dart through the forest. You should be comfortable with moving quickly at short notice to keep up with them.

The trek will mainly follow forest trails, but you should be prepared to traverse the undergrowth if the chimpanzees are located away from the trails. During the rainy seasons, the trails will be more slippery, & the forest will be denser. This will increase the difficulty of the trek.

Book your 4-day Kibale Forest & Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari with Dorokai Tours & Travel today!!!