Chimpanzees are some of the most intelligent primates in the world. They live and survive in tropical rainforests and also in montane vegetation. Chimpanzees can only be seen in the wild on a chimpanzee tracking experience. This adventure involves venturing into the chimpanzee habitats looking for these primates and, upon encounter, spending an hour with them. Chimpanzees in the wild can be seen in different areas, such as Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania, among other places. However, Uganda stands out as the leading chimpanzee destination in the world.
Planning on a primate safari to Uganda? Here are the best places to visit for an exciting experience viewing the most intelligent primates on Earth. Uganda has several chimpanzee tracking destinations, comprising both those in the wild and those in captivity. Among the destinations are Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest, and Bugoma Forest in the Murchison Falls Conservation Area.
There are also destinations with chimpanzees in captivity. These include the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe and Ngamba Island near the northern shores of Lake Victoria. These chimpanzee habitats are favourable for budget tourists interested in seeing chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
Chimpanzee tracking refers to a guided walk into the tropical rainforests to track, locate, and observe chimpanzees in their natural habitats. The activity starts at around 7 am with traditional entertainment from the locals before the briefing by the rangers. The trek starts at exactly 8 am, taking about 4-6 hours. Visitors are strictly given one hour to observe the chimpanzees upon finding them.
Kibale National Park is the best destination to find chimpanzees in Uganda. This is due to the large chimpanzee population, hence referred to as the “primate capital of the world.” The park is located in western Uganda, about 275 kilometres from Kampala. It covers the districts of Kyenjojo, Kamwenge, Kabalore, and Kasese. It stretches for about 795 square kilometres. Kibale National Park not only shelters chimpanzees but also several primate species. These include olive baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys, among others.
Chimpanzee tracking in the park costs USD 250 for foreign non-resident tourists and USD 200 for foreign resident tourists, while East African visitors pay UGX 180,000.
Where to sleep while at Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park has many accommodation lodges located both in the park and outside. These facilities cater for luxury, midrange, and budget tourists. Among the accommodation options for Kibale National Park are the luxury lodges such as Primate Lodge Kibale. This lodge costs about USD 450 per night, and it is located inside the park. This makes it the most convenient option for tourists going for chimpanzee tracking. This is due to its strategic location at the starting point of chimpanzee trekking. Other accommodations include Guereza Canopy Lodge for mid-range tourists, costing over USD 185 per night, and Kibale Forest Lodge for budget tourists, costing about USD 90 per night.
Best time to do chimpanzee tracking in Uganda
To have a good experience while doing chimpanzee tracking in Uganda, it’s advisable to visit during the dry season. This season occurs from June to August and December to mid-February. The weather is dry and clear during this time due to limited rain and prolonged sunny days, allowing easy navigation and clear visibility. The wet season is a period of prolonged showers, making navigation on the slippery trails challenging. The dense vegetation in this season also hinders visibility of chimpanzees, especially when in the trees.
However, Uganda has a very unpredictable climate. This means it can rain or shine at any time. Therefore, chimpanzee tracking can be done throughout the year.
Packing list for chimpanzee tracking
While going for a chimpanzee tracking safari in Uganda, you are required to carry a few items that are crucial for a successful tracking experience. These include a pair of waterproof hiking boots due to the slippery nature of the trails, a long-sleeved shirt, trousers, a walking stick, a water bottle, insect repellent, a backpack, a light hat, gloves, and goggles. You should also carry a small first aid kit for emergencies.
Other chimpanzee destinations in Uganda
Other chimpanzee tracking destinations in Uganda include Kyambura Gorge, located in the northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Although it has few chimpanzee individuals, it offers a memorable experience of trekking. The Valley of Apes, as it is often called, offers a chance to see the chimpanzees alongside other biodiversity.
Budongo Forest is also a suitable destination for tracking chimpanzees in Murchison Falls National Park. It is situated just at the park’s main gate of Kichumbanyobo in Masindi, hosting about 600 chimpanzees.
Bugoma Forest in Hoima district is one of the newest chimpanzee tracking destinations in Uganda. Kalinzu Forest is also among the chimpanzee destinations situated along the main highway to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Among the captive chimpanzee locations we have in Uganda is Ngamba Island. It is famous for sheltering orphaned chimpanzee individuals. The chimpanzees here are rescued from other destinations as victims of smuggling or injured chimps and are placed in the forest. This island covers a total land area of 100 acres. About 98 acres are forested, and 2 acres are reserved for human convenience and accommodation. The facility gives visitors a chance to observe the chimpanzees on a raised platform and also feed them fruits and vegetables. This offers an exciting experience.
Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda
Chimpanzee trekking or tracking in Rwanda is done in Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati-Mukuru National Park. Rwanda is a predominant primate destination, with mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park leading the primate safaris. Chimpanzee tracking is equally interesting, giving visitors a rare opportunity to encounter chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is situated at the southern border with Burundi. This park is the dominant chimpanzee destination in Rwanda. It is estimated that about 400 chimpanzees live in this park. This forest covers about 1,019 square kilometers and was established in 2004. The chimpanzees are part of the 13 primate species situated in the park. Other primates include olive baboons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, etc. Other than chimpanzee tracking, Nyungwe National Park offers other activities, such as the canopy walk, guided nature walks, etc.
Chimpanzee tracking in Tanzania
Tanzania is not usually considered a chimpanzee destination given its dominance as a safari destination. This country offers the best safaris, uniquely seen in the world due to its vast safari destinations, such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Ruaha National Park, Katavi National Park, etc. As this may be the case, Tanzania also hosts chimpanzees in basically two areas: Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe National Park.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend a primate safari to Uganda due to the variety of primate species. The country also hosts other primates, such as the majestic mountain gorillas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, golden monkeys, mangabey monkeys, among others, which enhance the visitors’ experience. Uganda hosts the most chimpanzees in the world, about 5,000. Rwanda and Tanzania are also amazing destinations worth visiting.
