Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee tracking is one of the most sought for activities in Uganda by travelers and it involves an individual taking a walk in the gazetted areas in search for the primates. Chimpanzees are primates species share about 98% DNA with human beings and this fact makes travelers very interested in tracking and studying the behaviours of these species.

In Uganda chimpanzees are found in Kibale National Park, Kalinzu Forest and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park. Other interesting species found in Kibale National Park except Chimpanzees include; red-tailed guenon, gray-cheeked mangabey, L’Hoest’s monkey, the black and white colobus monkey, white-nosed monkey, blue monkey, red colobus, nocturnal pottos, bush babies and the olive baboons.

Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park is best done in the Kanyachu area where chimpanzee walks are done. This area is best for this tracking activity because of the dense populations of chimpanzees that are found in this area.

The chimpanzee tracking activity is best don in the morning hours at around 08:00 and at around 15:00 in the afternoon. Chimpanzees are best seen in the morning as they head out in search for food in the forest area and the view of these primates swinging across the trees and nurturing each other are very fascinating. The afternoon hours are also favourable as the chimpanzees return to their nests after the day of hunting for food.

For one to engage in this chimpanzee tracking activity, they have to book Chimpanzee Trekking Permits. These are passes given by Uganda Wildlife Authority for a traveler to access the national park and engage in the activity.

Chimpanzee tracking also has Rules and regulations that one has to follow in order to have a successful trek. In Uganda children below the age of 15 years are not accepted to track chimpanzees. A traveler that has come into contact with the Chimpanzees should remain 8 meters away to avoid contamination with the human diseases. Travelers with diseases like flu and diarrhea are not accepted to track the humble primates for fear of easy transmission of the diseases. Travelers are warned against provoking the primates because these are wild animals and they could charge anytime and react. Dumping any droppings in the forest is prohibited as these might contain polythene and papers which could harm the chimps. For one to take photos for memories, they are required to have cameras that don’t give out the flash lights.

For one to book a successful chimpanzee tracking safari, they are required to book a tour through a trusted tour operator. The are advised to contact a trusted tour operator that will help them book their chimpanzee tracking permits, accommodations, meals and transportations. Tour operators help to ease the trip for a traveler and one can get to know a good tour operator by checking for their relevance on Google, tripadvisor and safari bookings. These sites help provide reviews of the previous trips that a tour operator has done and the past experiences of their clients.

Chimpanzee tracking like gorilla trekking requires a traveler to have a permit. To trek gorillas one needs a gorilla trekking permit and for chimpanzee tracking one needs to have a chimpanzee tracking permits.