Uganda is an epitome destination for chimpanzee tracking since it harbors several chimpanzee primates in various protected areas. Chimpanzee tracking involves traversing the dense forest canopies in search of chimpanzees, and upon locating them spend an hour in their presence. Chimpanzees are playful but intelligent among the other primates as they share over 98% of human DNA. The tracking process of chimpanzees in Uganda is not that complex but requires some bit of intellect as provided by the guide rangers. Each tracking process begins with a briefing to prepare the visitors for what lies ahead of their wildest adventures into the chimpanzee territories. This briefing details the tracking process of chimpanzees by taking the visitors through the rules and regulations of chimpanzee tracking. This briefing further goes ahead to explain the expected code of conduct of the visitors around the chimpanzees. Upon learning and understanding all this, visitors are then grouped into groups of 6 people, allocated a guide ranger to lead the group. Why the grouping necessary, one would ask? Well, the chimpanzees are wild animals and are sensitive to outside noise and would run further in the forest canopies into hiding if stressed. Hence, grouping allows the visitors to silently approach the chimpanzees without causing them stress compared to when they would come in a large noisy group. Assigning visitors an hour after locating the chimpanzees also helps to reveal stress from the primates by not having visitors for long.
Where to do chimpanzee tracking in Uganda?
Uganda is a popular chimpanzee tracking destination and has various places to do a chimpanzee tracking adventure experience. These chimpanzee tracking destinations in Uganda include the following.
Among the chimpanzee tracking destinations in Uganda, Kibale Forest National Park is the most popular and leading chimpanzee tracking destination. Located in the western region of the country, Kibale stretches for over 795 square kilometers. Kibale Forest National Park is considered the primate capital of the world as it hosts over 1,500 chimpanzees alone. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park begins with a briefing at the Kanyanchu guest information center. Here you will be briefed about the chimpanzee trekking etiquette, and the dos and don’ts while tracking these primates. The park lies in the western corridor of the country, hosting over 13 primate species. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park takes about 4 hours, including an hour you spend with the chimpanzees.
Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is located in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park and it has been a chimpanzee sanctuary ever since. The gorge hosts over 100 chimpanzee primates and contains a tropical rain forest, spans around 157 square kilometers, with an 8-kilometer strip that grew along the Kyambura river banks to connect the gorge and the Kashoya-Kitomi forest reserve. Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura forest is not as demanding as in Kibale National Park because there is only one chimpanzee group to locate in a relatively smaller place. Nevertheless, you need to be in good physical shape to walk up and down the steep terrain of the Kyambura gorge.
Budongo Forest.
Budongo Forest is part of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area that spans about 825 square kilometers within the Rift Valley escarpment in the northeast of Lake Albert. This is the second biggest natural forest in Uganda after Mabira forest with a diversity of flora and fauna species that inhabit its tropical rainforests. There are over 5,000 chimpanzees in Uganda and Budongo has at least 400 individuals. Chimpanzee tracking is the major tourist activity in Budongo forest. Tracking the chimpanzees in the Budongo forest is quite a tiresome and challenging activity that requires patience. The tracking time depends on how far the chimpanzees are and the particular troop or group being targeted. Although it may sound exhausting, it is a fun adventure to explore the hidden gems of the forest.
Kalinzu Forest
Chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu forest is becoming a popular activity for wildlife seekers and adventure enthusiasts. This forest is home to about 70 habituated individuals ready for tracking by visitors to observe them. Kalinzu Forest is located in Bushenyi district near Queen Elizabeth National Park and Maramagambo Forest.
How much does it cost to do chimpanzee tracking in Uganda?
Tracking chimpanzees in Uganda requires one to produce a chimpanzee tracking permit before being allowed to track. This permit is a document purchased from the Uganda Wildlife Authority through a local tour operator that allows you access to the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The costs for the chimpanzee permits range from region to nationality of the visitors and also different designations offer different prices for the permits. The chimpanzee tracking permits cost USD 250 for Kibale Forest National Park, for Kyambura Gorge the chimpanzee permit costs USD 100 per person per trek. The permits for Budongo, Bugoma, and Kalinzu forests cost USD 65 per person per trek.