Chimpanzee trekking is an interesting adventure that attracts one to rally behind the armed ranger guide after briefing at the national park Headquarter. Moving with your experience guides while searching for the apes “man’s closest related cousins” is extremely awesome.
Chimpanzee habitats in Uganda
Chimpanzees can found in both protected and unprotected areas of the country. Protected areas for chimpanzee trekking include;
Kibale national park; this is the famous rainforest best known for chimpanzee trekking and habituation adventure. The park habituates over 1500 primate population and this is the largest populated for chimps in the whole of East Africa.
Budongo forest; this is located within Murchison falls national park Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area.
Kyambura gorge; commonly referred to as the valley of apes by CNN located within Queen Elizabeth national park.
Ngamba and Bulago island all on Lake Victoria, worlds second fresh water lake and these areas can be reached by water transport “boat ride”.
Kalinzu forest
Maramagambo forest
Visitors can enjoy a half day chimpanzee trekking either in the morning or the afternoon plus whole day chimpanzee habituation experience.
These fascinating chimpanzees tend to be heard before they are seen and their screams pant hoots and barks are used by our local tracking experts to bring you even closer to them. Once you locate these endangered species, you will can spend an hour with them takig pictures and video,before the forest walk continues in search of other primates and birds, Kibale National Park boosts of several forest birds some of which are endemic to this forest. It has several other animals like elephants, leopards that are rarely spotted.
This involves travelling to National Park Headquarters to meet your guides for the day and begin your chimpanzee tracking experience. Experienced guides and trackers will accompany your party on an early morning trek into the forest to view wild chimpanzees as well as several other species of primates in their natural habitat. You will have an opportunity to be within metres of these amusing and very social apes, sharing in their daily lives and experiencing their day-to-day activities.
Chimpanzees, our closest cousins, are extremely endangered with only an estimated 5000 remaining in Uganda. Please note: tracking may be fairly strenuous as the chimpanzees are highly mobile as they search for food throughout the forest. Also, chimpanzees are wild animals and, as such, sightings cannot be guaranteed. However viewing success rates are over 70%.
Chimpanzee Habituation
Following an early morning breakfast at the lodge, transfer to the National Park headquarters to join your team and begin your chimpanzee habituation experience. You will assist the trackers in their daily habituation research and activities including “de-nesting” the chimps, following them through the forest, and recording their behaviour and movements throughout the day.
End the day when the chimpanzees retire to their new nests for the night. This lifetime experience will allow you within metres of these amusing and very social apes, sharing in their daily lives and experiencing their day-to-day activities.
Chimpanzees are mans closest cousins, are extremely endangered with only an estimated 5000 remaining in Uganda. You will also have the opportunity to observe the many other animal species living in the above mentioned protected areas diverse habitat including black and white colobus monkeys, baboons and thousands of native bird species.
After a rewarding adventure experience, retire at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay as you prepare for the next day. Note that, tracking chimpanzees may be fairly strenuous as the chimpanzees are highly mobile during the day. Also, chimpanzees are wild animals and, as such, sightings cannot be guaranteed.