Why Should I go For Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda?
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is one of the underrated adventures, and we want to change that. Let’s start with a chat about things like where to trek to see them, how difficult the hike is during the trek, and what the experience of trekking is actually like.
If you’re keen on trekking for mountain gorillas in the wild, chances are you’d equally like to see chimpanzees in the wild. Trekking to see the endangered chimpanzees in the wild is a marvellous excursion to add to a trip while in Uganda. We advise clients to include it in their top 20 things to do in Uganda on the definitive list.
Differences between gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Similar to gorilla trekking, in chimpanzee trekking, a small group of tourists goes on a hike with trained rangers to see and spend time with the chimpanzee troop in the wild. Chimpanzees are similar to gorillas in many ways, but also, have easily noticeable differences.
One of the main differences between a chimpanzee trek and a gorilla trek is that chimpanzees live primarily in trees whereas gorillas live on the ground. This means chimpanzees are a little harder to spot and photograph during the trek. The best times of year for chimpanzee trekking are the same as for gorilla trekking, November to February, and June to October. This makes it easy to take on both treks during your trip to Rwanda or Uganda.
Chimpanzees live in much larger troops than gorillas, chimpanzee troops constitute about 50 to 150 individuals.
Where in Uganda you can go chimpanzee trekking?
There are several places where you can trek and see chimpanzees in Uganda. The most popular places in the country are Kibale Forest and Kyambura Gorge. Both of these trekking areas have groups of habituated chimpanzees. Clients can also go chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest.
Kibale Forest
The beautiful Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda is one of the best places in East Africa to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Kibale Forest national park is about 230 km from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Kibale Forest is home to around 1,200 chimpanzees. The forest park also hosts 12 other species of primates, namely:
red-tailed monkeys or red-tailed guenons.
black and white colobus monkeys
Uganda red or ashy colobus monkeys
L’Hoest’s or mountain monkey
Vervet monkeys
olive baboons
Uganda Mangabey
Patas monkeys
blue or diademed monkeys
grey-cheeked Mangabey
Prince Demidoff’s bush babies galagoes’
Bosman’s pottos
Kibale forest national park is a remnant of was once huge central African rainforest. The forest covers 776 km at the end of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is one of the most diverse and varied rainforests in Africa and East Africa. There are several habituated groups of chimpanzees in Kibale and they trekked in groups of up to eight people to see them.
Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is found on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, filled with the diverse tropical rainforest vegetation that is home to approximately 19 chimpanzees. The forest is cut off from the larger forests around the region like Kalinzu forest and Maramagambo forest where other chimpanzees live, a fact that has led to them being known as ‘the lost chimpanzees of Kyambura’.
The forest is beautiful and home to many species of birds as well as primates, including red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobuses, baboons and vervet monkeys.
Please note that it’s a steep hike down into the gorge. And what goes down, must make its way back up. Trekking to see the lost chimpanzees of Kyambura is thus a laborious enterprise, but also incredibly rewarding.
Budongo Forest
Budongo forest is also a possible destination to trek to see chimpanzees near Murchison Falls. The forest is a beautiful rainforest which is home to over 800 chimps. This forest is the largest remaining tropical forest in the East African region, covering 825 km. the forest is under the protection of the Jane Goodall Institute, housing several habituated chimpanzee groups.
All about chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Here are some facts about chimpanzee trekking in Uganda which we feel should answer some of your practical questions.
Chimpanzee trekking permits cost US$200 per person. 2 departure times per day are offered for chimpanzee trekking at 8 am and 2 pm.
Chimpanzee groups are limited to a group of six people per trek and chimpanzee group.
Clients are briefed by a park ranger about the trek and what to expect as they’re setting off.
Clients can hire a porter to carry their backpacks and help them over any difficult and slippery sections.
Once briefed, your group sets off into the forest, led by a ranger. The forest is alive with birdsongs and the calls of monkeys.
Once you reach your chimpanzee troop, you’ll spend one hour with them.
Clients can, alternatively, book a chimpanzee habituation permit for $250. This permit gives you 4 hours with the chimpanzees. Habituation treks usually start at 6 am.
