Did you know that watching our closest living relatives, the chimpanzees, is like reading the first chapter of human beings adventures in this universe!”, Yes, discover this by going for chimp trekking in Uganda.
The truth is, personally, I love chimpanzees, their stubbornness and their strength, the way they dig their fingers into life and never let it get the better of them, the tenderness beneath their wild tempers and above all, the fact that they refuse to apologize for who they are.”
These primate species are the closest relatives to humans sharing about 98% of their DNA composition with humans. These primate species are very intelligent, social, and strong; in addition to these, their very fascinating traits is the ability to utilize tools like rocks for crushing nuts, empty pods for hollowing out water plus sticks for capturing termites from their holes, have passed on from one generation to another. Yet researchers also confirm and say that the various troops have specialized tasks, diet basing on their home.
In reality, the average weight of an adult well grown male chimpanzee is between 35 and 70 kilograms, with a height of roughly 3 and then an adult female chimpanzee weighs approximately 26 and 50 kilograms with a height between 2 and 4 feet.
These primates life expectancy is projected at 40 years for those in the wilderness and those in captivity can extend up to 60 years.
In Uganda, conservationists have worked tirelessly to ensure that these creatures are very safe and protected. Thanks to the contribution of Jane goodwill foundation that is working tirelessly to protect both chimpanzees and Gorillas in a different destination. Also, the money got from those who have come for Chimpanzees Trekking has also contributed to the conservation of these primates making it possible for improvement to continuously take place.
In the wilderness, Chimpanzees stay in groups of 10 – 100 members interacting with each other; they babysit each other’s young, kiss, groom one another and even hold hands. At the age of 4years, the young chimps become independent, regardless of these facts, chimps can be aggressive and unsociable, mainly if disturbed.
Uganda has different forests and national parks in which chimpanzees can be found and chimp trekking can be done namely; Kibale forest national park, Budongo Forest-few meters to Murchison falls national park, Kyambura gorge-Queen Elizabeth National park among others.
Kibale forest has proved to be the most loved when it comes to chimpanzees trekking, this park gives you an extra adventure as you will see more 12 primate species co-existing in one place peacefully and wondering In the large sound melody filled forest with both birds, baboons, vervet and Columbus monkey claiming for a position in the jungle.
The other option is kyambura George near Queen Elizabeth national park which has been referred to by BBC as a lost Valley and other travelers call it the valley of apes.
For those traveling to Gulu or Masindi and Murchison Fall National Park, you can choose to explore the chimpanzees in Budongo forest, the oldest Mahogany forest in East Africa though harboring several primates.
some of the most vital items during a trekking safari includes long-sleeved shirts which protect you from the pricking thickets as they move through the verdant jungle, rain gear since the weather here is highly unpredictable, Bring enough drinking water plus snacks to bite on, Carry a pair of binoculars, good camera
In addition to these, the rule to follow while trekking Chimpanzees are, keeping approximately 8m distance as you watch these primates, no use of Flashlight when photographing chimpanzees, Don’t approach these primates in case you are suffering from flu or diarrhea, Don’t eat near Chimpanzees, children below the age of 12 are restricted from accessing the parks and others.
In approximately all these destinations, chimpanzee tracking commences at 08.00 & ends at 15.00 and lasts 2-3 hours, apart from in Budongo Forest that has roughly 3 tracking shifts. the visitors traverse the jungle during the search following the broken trees and occasionally meeting other primates such as black & white Colobus, grey-cheeked Mangabey, red-tailed monkey among others, this trek is accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who know the destination as well as these creatures very well.
don’t be Left behind after reading this article, get on board and book your permit to Africa for the most memorable Chimpanzee trekking adventure in Uganda.
