Guide to Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda
Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda is a popular activity that allows visitors to observe and interact with these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. While on your intimate Chimpanzee tracking experience in Uganda, you will witness with wonder as these uniquely social primates interact with one another as they cuddle their infants while goofing about in a way that’s comically familiar. It’s a memorable experience and little wonder why it ranks among travelers’ Uganda highlights.
On a sad note, chimpanzees are vulnerable and researchers continue to observe their population decline. Uganda is home to an estimated 5,000 chimpanzees making it one of Africa’s top destinations for Chimps tracking and habituation experiences with the largest number of Chimpanzees in Uganda being inhabited in Kibale National Park-Uganda’s number one Chimps tracking destination and the others in Budongo Forest within Murchison Falls National Park, Kyambura Gorge-a tree-carpeted ravine that dramatically severs the plains of Queen Elizabeth National and a very isolated number in Kalinzu forest
In order to protect these endangered animals, chimpanzee tracking in Uganda is highly regulated and requires some prior planning. Here’s everything travelers need to know about chimpanzee tracking in Uganda from where to see them, how to acquire permits to what to pack for a memorable experience.
What is Chimpanzee Tracking?
Chimpanzee tracking involves hiking into chimp habitats in Uganda’s major Chimpanzee habitats with a local expert tracker and an armed ranger. Once a Chimps family is located, visitors are allowed one hour to watch the habituated chimps. Typically, group sizes are limited to six person with two daily departures that’s in the morning and the afternoon. The Chimpanzee tracking excursion usually takes two to six hours and visitors are asked to remain seven meters away. Travelers wanting longer and more immersive chimpanzee tracking encounters might consider a day-long chimpanzee habituation experience where one is allowed a 4 Hours stay with the chimps once you locate them.
Where to go For Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda
Kibale Forest National Park is arguably the best place to go for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda. The Park is home to approximately 1,500 chimpanzees and this population is divided into at least a dozen families four of which are habituated. In addition to chimps tracking, visitors to Kibale National Park will also encounter an abundance of diversity including more than 120 mammals such as baboons, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, antelope and elephants among others and over 370 species of birds. The most popular trek in the Kibale National park is the Kanyanchu Primate Walk which lasts about three hours and is limited to six persons 16 and older and departs at 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The chances of encountering chimpanzees are higher than 90 per cent.
Other Places to go For Chimps Tracking in Uganda
Budongo Forest Reserve
Another popular destination for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is Budongo Forest Reserve which is located within Murchison Falls National Park in northwestern Uganda. Budongo Forest Reserve is home to a large population of chimpanzees and guided treks are available here as well offering visitors a chance to explore the lush forest and encounter these incredible creatures. The chimpanzee treks in Budongo Forest Reserve often involve longer hikes compared to other locations, but the reward of seeing chimpanzees in their natural habitat makes it worthwhile.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge
The Kyambura gorge is another location for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and is located in Queen Elizabeth national park. The gorge is located in south western Uganda and has stunning landscapes. These treks provide visitors with a chance to witness the unique behaviors and social interactions of chimpanzees while exploring the beautiful surroundings of the national park.
In conclusion, with its diverse habitats and well-managed national parks Uganda provides an ideal setting for experiencing the wonders of chimpanzee trekking.
What is The Best Time of Year to go Chimp Tracking in Uganda?
The best time to go chimpanzee tracking in Uganda is during the rainy season of April through May if you want to avoid crowds. However during this time you will be trekking in a rainforest so you’re likely to get wet and find challenging terrains.
The Dry season is also good for tracking Chimpanzees as the terrain is not sleeperly and with low chances of getting wet. However, you might have to make long treks to locate the chimps since chimps families tend to be more mobile during the dry season traveling deeper into the jungle in pursuit of sustainance. the Dry season of June to October also tends to align with peak tourist season when the demand for permits increases hence crowded parks.
What should you Pack on a chimp Tracking Tour?
- A backpack to carry your water and packed lunch
- Snacks
- Water
- A camera
- Durable, lightweight water-resistant hiking boots with grippy soles.
- A water-repelling but ventilated jacket
- Layered clothing
- Long sleeves and long pants
- Insect repellant
- Gaiters if you have them or tuck your pants into your boots to hinder the safari ants
- Gardening gloves helps to avoid stinging nettles
Chimpanzee Tracking Planning Tips
- Permits must be booked in advance—a task that Engabi Tours and Travel experts can always take care of.
- To avoid negative attention, do not eat or snack near the chimpanzees
- Listen to your guide at all times.
- Trekking is limited to small groups.
Chimpanzee Trekking versus Gorilla tracking
The most compelling difference between chimps and gorilla tracking is the the fact that chimpanzees spend more time moving through the trees canopy while gorillas eat and move through the forest floor.
Chimpanzees tend to be more livelier and noisier compared to gorillas to an extent that you feel like you are among the group surrounded by them which makes the whole experience really exciting.
Another major difference between the two experiences is duration with Gorilla trekking taking much longer to as far as eight hours in some cases.
Both experiences allow visitors to spend one hour in the audience of the animals and they all require a permit.
Chimpanzee Tracking versus Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
The major difference between chimpanzee tracking and Chimpanzee Habituation experience is that during Chimpanzee Tracking visitors track families which are habituated and are used to human presence while the Habituation experience is a process of making chimps get used to human presence.
The other difference is that during Chimpanzee tracking, visitors are allowed to stay a a maximum of 1 hour with the chimps when they are located while during the Chimpanzee habituation experience visitors can spend an entire day with a Chimpanzee family
Is Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda safe?
Chimpanzee tracking is very safe as long as you listen to your guide and respect chimp tracking etiquette such as maintaining a distance, never eating , snacking or smoking while in the presence of chimpanzees. Flash photography is also prohibited and you should speak quietly and move about calmly. Should a situation necessitate it, all treks are accompanied by an armed ranger who can fire a loud warning shot.
Are chimps friendly to humans?
In the context of chimp tracking, we must remember these are wild animals despite having been habituated but given their intellectual capacity and memory, you may witness chimpanzees exhibiting familiarity with some of the guides and rangers they are acquainted with though they will be indifferent to your audience carrying on with their lives in the quiet company of human observers.
Cost of chimpanzee tracking in Uganda
The cost of chimpanzee trekking in Uganda typically includes the following components:
Chimpanzee Permits
To participate in chimpanzee trekking, visitors are required to obtain permits. These permits allow access to specific areas where chimpanzees can be found.
During the low season (April, May, and November), when demand is lower, prices of chimpanzee trekking may be slightly reduced. A permit for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda costs $250 per person for Foreigners and $200 for Foreign Residents.
It is important to note that permits need to be booked in advance due to limited availability.
Guide Fees
Chimpanzee trekking is conducted under the guidance of experienced park rangers or guides who are knowledgeable about the behavior and habits of chimpanzees.
Guide fees are usually included in the overall cost and ensure a safe and informative trekking experience and can range between 30 to 50 USD per day.
Transportation costs
Depending on the location of the park, transportation costs may be included or separate from the overall cost.
If transportation is not provided, visitors will need to arrange their own means of getting to the starting point of the trek. The cost of hiring a vehicle during a tour in Uganda is about 150 USD per day to 300 USD per day depending on the type of vehicle used.
Accommodation
If you are planning an overnight stay near the national park, accommodation costs should be considered separately from the actual chimpanzee trekking cost.
Some of the lodges where tourists can stay during chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national park include Primates lodge, Chimpundu lodge, Kibale forest camp, Isunga lodge, Kyaninga lodge, Ndali Lodge, Papaya lodge among others.
Lodges to stay around the Kyambura gorge include Kyambura gorge lodge, Parkview safari lodge, Engiri game lodge, Elephant hab lodge among others.
Places to stay around the Budongo forest during chimpanzee trekking include Budongo eco lodge which is a midrange accommodation.
Reach us for information or to book a Chimpanzee tracking tour in Uganda
