CHIMPANZEE TRACKING IN UGANDA

What is Chimpanzee tracking?

Chimpanzee trekking is an exhilarating activity that involves visiting these majestic primates in their natural habitat. The experience starts early in the morning with a briefing on the necessary protocols at the forest headquarters.

After which, visitors are firmly grouped into teams led by park guides and rangers who will take them to the forest for an unforgettable chimpanzee encounter.

About Chimpanzees

Male chimpanzees weigh between 35 and 70 kilograms and stand at 3 meters tall. Females weigh between 26 and 50 kilograms and stand between 2 and 4 feet tall. Chimpanzees live up to 40 years in the wild and 60 years in captivity.

Chimpanzees share 98% of their DNA with humans and use tools like rocks, empty pods, and sticks. Different troops have specialist tasks based on their habitat and diet.

Behavior of Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees typically live in groups called troops, consisting of 30 to 80 individuals. These large groups are made up of smaller subgroups of fewer members, which can be all females, all males, or mixed.

 

Chimps sometimes chew leaves until they are absorbent and use them as sponges to soak up water, which they then suck out. They also use twigs or grass stems as tools to poke into termite holes or ant nests to extract the insects, which they consider a delicacy. They can also wedge nuts between the roots of trees and use a stone to crack open the shells.

 

Chimpanzees are both arboreal and terrestrial and spend most of their daylight hours on the ground. They walk on all fours with their fingers half-flexed to support the weight of their forequarters on their knuckles. They occasionally walk upright, but only for short distances.

 

Chimps are agile climbers and build their nests high up in trees, where they rest during the midday heat and sleep at night. They can construct new nests in just a few minutes by bending branches and weaving them together to create a platform, which they line with twigs.

 

There is no specific breeding season for chimps, and females give birth every four to five years.

Chimpanzee Tracking Locations In Uganda

Kibale National Park

 

Kibale Forest National Park is famous for chimpanzees. The Kanyanchu Primate Walk is the main activity, with guided treks to three habituated chimpanzee communities.

Besides chimpanzees, the park has other primates like Vervet monkeys, Colobus monkeys, and olive baboons.

 

Kanyanchu’s chimpanzees are used to human presence, making it a great opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat. The chance of locating them is over 90%. Walks leave Kanyanchu Visitor Centre at 8 am, 11 am, and 2 pm, and last between 2-5 hours. Contact time with chimpanzees is limited to one hour, and group size is limited to six visitors aged 16 or over. Booking with us is essential.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge

The Kyambura Gorge, also known as the “Valley of Apes,” is located in the eastern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park and is roughly 100 meters deep. It is home to the great chimpanzees, and the scenery within this gorge is very spectacular.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most remarkable national parks in Uganda, known for its outstanding wildlife and birdlife.

It is also a perfect place for chimp tracking/trekking, which is a popular activity done within the Kyambura Gorge where several chimpanzees have been habituated.

 

There are several other mammals and birds to be seen as you start in the morning on your chimpanzee trekking safari. Interestingly, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge is quite easy and takes a limited time to meet these apes, unlike in Kibale Forest National Park.

This Chimpanzee Tracking activity within the Kyambura Gorge can be included in any other Uganda Safari activity within Queen Elizabeth and offers you a holistic adventure of this splendid national park.

Cost of chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge

The cost of chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge depends on the number of days you spend and the places where you choose to stay during your safari. A chimpanzee trekking permit costs $50 per person per trek for a foreign non-resident and $40 for a resident.

Because the cost is reasonable compared to other chimpanzee tracking locations, Kyambura Gorge is the best option for budget travelers who plan to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park.

This permit allows you to spend one hour with the habituated chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge. In addition to the permit, you will need to pay for other services to make your chimpanzee trekking experience successful, including transportation, accommodation, and guiding.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo Forest

The Budongo Forest, located at the apex of the Albertine Rift, is a tropical rainforest that spans an area of 435 km² and is designated as a Central Forest Reserve.

It is home to Uganda’s most extensive mahogany forest, boasting over 465 tree species, 24 mammal species, 290 butterfly species, and 140 species of moths.

The Budongo Forest Reserve is situated in Masindi District, Uganda, and is part of the Murchison Falls National Park.

 

The forest is home to a significant chimpanzee population (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii), with an estimated 600-700 individuals.

The Budongo Forest Conservation Field Station closely monitors the chimpanzees to ensure their conservation and study their behavior.

The information center at the Budongo Eco Lodge provides visitors with a briefing before embarking on a chimpanzee trekking adventure.

The forest’s well-established trails enable visitors to observe chimpanzees, as well as other smaller primates and birds.

 

Chimpanzee trekking in the Budongo forest takes place in the morning and afternoon shifts. While the chimp communities tend to be located very close to the Budongo Eco Lodge throughout the year, they may wander further afield in search of food and water during dry periods.

As a result, it is not always possible to locate them during times of food scarcity. However, the success rate of spotting the chimps is still high, second only to Kibale Forest National Park. For the best chance of observing the chimpanzees, it is recommended to visit between October and January.

 

A typical chimpanzee tracking expedition in the Budongo forest involves a three-hour trek. Observers are permitted to view the chimp community for an hour following its discovery.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kalinzu Forest

Kalinzu forest reserve is a 147 sq km forest under the management of NFA. It is located in Bushenyi district in Western Uganda and is approximately 375km (5 hours’ drive) from Kampala.

Kalinzu Forest is famous for Chimpanzees, six different Species of Primates, Blue Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, 262 Butterflies, and 97 Moths, it harbors 378 Species of Birds, Reptiles, 414 Species of trees and Flowers.

The main activities in Kalinzu forest reserve include; Chimp Tracking, Forest Walks, Research, Conservation Education, Birding, Butterfly Identification, and small Mammal viewing.

Kalinzu forest is one of the good places to track chimpanzees in Uganda and is usually visited along with Queen Elizabeth National Park. A branch-off to Kalinzu forest reserve is quite easy since the two attractions are adjacent to each other.

What is the cost of chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest?

The cost of chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest depends on the number of days spent and the places where you stay during your safari to Kalinzu Forest for this activity. A chimpanzee trekking permit costs $130 for a foreign non-resident and $65 for a resident per person per trek. This permit allows you to spend one hour encountering the habituated chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest.

Other places to see chimpanzees in Uganda include Kagombe, Itwara, Kasyoha-Kitoma, Otzi, Muhangi, and Wambabya all offering you a close encounter with these amazing apes.

The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX)

The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that allows visitors to accompany Kibale National Park researchers as they habituate chimpanzees to human presence. This process helps the chimpanzees get used to people without changing their natural behavior.

 

You can choose between a half-day or full-day experience, but booking is required. During your visit, you can expect to see the chimpanzees de-nesting (leaving their nocturnal nests) between 5:00 and 6:30 am. You will then observe them as they feed, copulate, hunt, breastfeed, rest, patrol, and display until around 7:00 pm when they build new nests.

Cost of Chimpanzee Habituation

Keep in mind that the Chimpanzee Habituation Permit can be expensive, with a cost of USD 250 for foreign non-residents, USD 220 for foreign residents, and 150,000 UGX for East African residents.

However, both trekking and habituation experiences are life-changing and well worth the investment. The best time to visit for the habituation experience is during the low season months of March, April, May, and November.

How to book a Chimpanzee tracking Permit

As a UTB-accredited tour operator, we can offer you travel services that include booking for the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience. Let us help you plan your dream trip.

What to carry along when tracking Chimps

• Please keep the following information in mind while planning a trip to the jungle:

– Wear shoes with a good grip, especially if you plan on climbing steep, moist, and muddy slopes.

– Wearing long-sleeved clothes is recommended for those who want to protect themselves from the prickly thickets they may encounter in the verdant jungle.

– Don’t forget to pack rain gear as the weather in the jungle is highly unpredictable.

– Bring enough drinking water and snacks to keep yourself hydrated and energized.

– Carry a pair of binoculars to get a closer look at the wildlife.

– If you plan on taking photos, remember that your subjects are black animals living in dim light. Therefore, using camera flashes is strictly prohibited. It’s better to use fast film (of 400 – 800 ASA) or adjust your camera settings accordingly.

– If you’re interested in joining our chimpanzee tracking trips, please contact us