Chimpanzee Tracking In Uganda - The Primate encounter Safari

CHIMPANZEE TRACKING IN UGANDA.

Chimpanzee tracking is no doubt one of the most phenomenal activities in Uganda, Combined Together with Gorilla tracking Experience makes the great primate attractions in the country. Many visitors come to Uganda to be next to the close relatives of humans in different parks and forests in the country. Chimpanzees are found in many places in Uganda, visitors have a choice to select where they prefer to enjoy the activity from guided by your travel consultant through Uganda. Chimpanzees are the same in different parks or forests, the difference is the permits fee which change depending on the destination of preference. Some are also many in numbers and chances of seeing them differ.

The activity is one best done in Uganda and it is conducted by experienced park guides and rangers. Visitors assemble at the parks headquarters with their Chimpanzee permits before entering the forest. Tracking or Trekking depends on the movement of gentle apes and upon finding them, you are allowed 1 hour with the chimpanzees for the chimpanzee trekking and Chimpanzee habituation as another option where you are allowed 4 hours with the chimpanzees.

Chimpanzees are immediate close relatives to humans and are witnessed using tools, aggressiveness, the way they interact between each other, joy, sorrow, hugs and much more. Some of the behaviors were observed by Jane Goodall social who studied chimpanzees and family life beginning with the Kasakela chimpanzee community in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, in 1960. She is considered the world’s fore most expert on chimpanzees, after 60 years studying the social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees.

Where to Trek chimpanzees in Uganda

Kibale National Park

Known for its highest percentage of primates, Kibale National Park protects the moist ever green rain forest. It’s a home to 13 species of primates, the park is a must visit. The Chimpanzee activity starts from Kanyanchu visitor center where visitors are distributed amongst the families. The chances of locating chimpanzees in Kibale National Park are excellent and some of the signs to know that you are almost reaching the allocated group are noise, poles of trees falling and much more as explained by your lead Ranger site guide while in the forest.

Budongo Forest.

Found near Murchison falls National Park, the forest is known for its giant trees like mahogany. The forest is home to chimpanzees, wildlife, butterflies and much more. Chimpanzee tracking has become an activity popular with eco-tourists, necessitating behavioral guidelines for visitors in order to avoid undue disturbance of both animals and forest. Trails previously for researchers are now used mostly for tourists entering the forest to encounter the gentle apes.

Kalinzu forest

Kalinzu forest is located in Bushenyi district and is characterized by a dense rain forest and wildlife. The forest is a home to Chimpanzees and forest walks are available to view close relatives of humans. Kalinzu is a home to 320 endangered chimpanzees and 50 of these are habituated with the forest reserve for human presence.

Chimpanzee Habituation.

Chimpanzee habituation has become a common activity in Kibale forest national park, besides the chimpanzee tracking which takes 1 hour with chimpanzees after finding them, Chimpanzee habituation takes more hours with the primates after finding them. It involves going with researchers who are in the process of making a group become familiar to human presence. It is done on semi habituated family and the experience is exceptional staying in the presence of these creature enjoying the way they eat, interact, look after their young ones and much More.

Chimpanzee Trekking Rules

Do not feed the Chimpanzees

Do not liter in the park, leave the park or forest with everything you entered with.

Do not eat near the chimpanzees

Minimum age of tracking chimpanzees is 12 years

Do not chase the chimpanzees

Do not use flash photography

Do not enter the forest when you are sick. Chimpanzees can catch your disease.

Human waste should be buried 30cm (12inch) deep

Keep quite in the forest or the park

keep 8 meters (25 feet) from chimpanzees at all times

Do not mimic Chimpanzees Vocalization

Where to Stay

There are many accommodation facilities at Chimpanzee parks and forests, Here are Our Most Favorite safari lodges while chimpanzee trekking

Ndali lodge

The lodge is strategically located near Kibale National Park and Bigodi wetland, it a good place to relax by the pool, sauna and massage, yoga, relax at the veranda of the lodge and the cottages. Ndali lodge provides luxury services to visitors and to choose this lodge you will not regret.

They do have strong connection with the local communities around, they provide sponsor ship to over 20 students from pre-school to university., they built a nursery school in 2013 and many more.

Chimpundu lodge Kibale

This is a perfect place to base on for activities in kibale national park. The lodge offers luxury cottage accommodation, which includes spacious full bathrooms and private balcony, the cottages have modern amenities like hair dryer, tea and coffee making facilities, fans and etc.

The lodge has swimming pool, conference facilities, spa, Restaurant and cuisine, bar, safe drinking water, complimentary WIFI, 24 hours emergency facilities, and etc.

Rubalika Safari lodge

The lodge is located immediately adjacent to the Kibale Forest National Park. Rubalika is locally owned and ensures nature and conservation. The lodge has 7 en-suite canvas cottages with modern and local materials to provide excellent services to visitors. The cottages are supplied with a variety of organically grown tropical fruits from their own farm and are available to all guests on complimentary basis.

Budongo Eco Lodge

Budongo Eco lodge is located in Budongo Central Forest reserve near Murchison falls national park. The lodge has good eco cabins with private veranda, spacious dorm rooms, visitor centre and restaurant. Offering good safari accommodation, eco-tourism sites and many activities in the forest, the place is a mixture of experiences.

Cost of Chimpanzee Permit And Habituation in Kibale

Chimpanzee permits in Kibale cost USD 200 per person while Chimpanzee habituation cost 250 USD per person. Chimapnazee permits can be purchased from Uganda wildlife Authority through your trusted travel company.

Chimpanzees Permits in Budongo cost USD 120 per person for foreign Non Residents all payable to Budongo Eco lodge managed by Uganda Lodges on the immediate entrance to Murchison falls National Park.

Kyabura in Queen Elizabeth National Park, A beautifully crafted and forested Gorge is home to Chimpanzees and open for trekking at USD 50 per person for foreign Non-Residents. This is on top of the Park entrance fee into queen Elizabeth National Park.

Best time to Trek Chimps And What To Pack

Most visitors come to Uganda to do chimpanzee tracking in dry season months, i.e., January, February, June, July, August, September, October, December. These months are regarded as high season months. During that time, permits are on high demand reason it is necessary for visitors to book in advance. Even other months, tracking or habituation is possible.

Recomended To Pack

Good Hiking shoes to walk in the forest, make sure you tack in your socks to avoid safari aunts from affecting you.

warm clothing and long pants

Drinking water in your day pack

Camera and spare batteries

Rain coat or jacket

Cape and sunglasses