Chimpanzees are the next great apes after mountain gorillas to trek and one of the most popular primate species in Uganda. Chimpanzee trekking is an interesting activity travelers dare to experience while on adventure safaris in Uganda. The Pearl of Africa accommodates approximately 5000 chimpanzees and they are found in various forests, national parks and other protected areas.
In Africa, only 21 countries shelter chimpanzees in the wild and Uganda is one of them, actually the pearl of Africa is the best destination to track chimpanzees in the wild. And for every traveler that wishes to track chimpanzees in East Africa, Uganda is a one-stop center because it has very many destinations where chimpanzees can be spotted.
In Uganda, travelers have two options to experience chimpanzees, namely chimpanzee tracking and chimpanzee habituation; however some parks offer one option and others offer both but for travelers who go for chimpanzee habituation get a chance to spend more time with the chimpanzees than those who do chimpanzee tracking.
Some of the destinations that are blessed to shelter chimpanzees in Uganda include Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kalinzu Forest Reserve.
- Kibale Forest
Kibale national park is nick named as the primate capital of Africa and it is called so because of high population of primates that are found in this park. It offers both chimpanzee tracking and chimpanzee habituation experiences. With chimpanzee tracking, travelers move to where chimpanzees have settled in the forest, however the tracking in Kibale is fun because one gets to view other animals and primates along the way. And the moment the guests find the chimpanzee, they spend only one hour of viewing before heading back to the starting point. Apart from chimpanzees, Kibale national park also provides shelter to about twelve primate Species.
2. Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The Kyambura gorge is another destination where chimpanzee tracking can be enjoyed by visitors. It is located within Queen Elizabeth National Park, a world biosphere reserve in Western Uganda. It is nick named the lost valley by BBC and the “valley of apes” by others. The gorge provides a unique setting and backdrop for chimpanzee tracking and it is part of the western rift valley.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge is a bit strenuous as most chimpanzees keep on moving from one place to another and jumping from one tree to another due to its steep terrain. Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge lasts only for 3 hours and tracking permits are cheaper than those for Kibale forest national park.
3. Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park
Most people in Uganda think Kibale National Park is the only place to go for a good chimp tracking experience. I heartily disagree. I have always been a big fan of Kaniyo-Pabidi forest near Murchison Falls National Park. Not only is the chimp tracking excellent, but it is easy to combine with a safari in Murchison – by far the best park in Uganda by my reckoning.
Budongo Forest is another prominent destination for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda and it is found in the north – western region in Murchison falls conservation area. This forest has the largest number of wild chimpanzees in Uganda.
Chimpanzee tracking experience in Budongo is next to that of Kibale National Park and it is ranked number 2 in the best places to track chimpanzees. Travelers can combine chimpanzee tracking in Budongo with a visit to Murchison falls national park and enjoy a game drive in the biggest national park in Uganda and also a boat cruise and many other activities or visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Budongo forest is near Kampala, with a journey to this forest taking only 4 hours’ drive.
4. Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu forest reserve also protects chimpanzees in Uganda and it is found near Queen Elizabeth national park in the south western direction of Uganda. The chimpanzee tracking experience in Kalinzu forest lasts for up to 4 hour and only 8 people are allowed to track the chimps per session.
5. Semuliki Forest
The less known Semuliki National Park is one of the less known national parks in Uganda. It hosts an incredible number of wildlife including a good population of chimpanzees.
It brings great excitement to visitors especially that moment where they come close to the closest relatives of humans, the chimpanzees in the wild while tracking them. Uganda is giving you the chance to enjoy and also to come in the chimpanzee presence in the wild. Visit Uganda now and trek the joyful chimpanzees in their nature habitats.
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