Have you ever dreamt of visiting Uganda for a wonderful Chimpanzee tracking safari? Then your dream can be achieved because the country has great spots to participate in this life refreshing activity. As the mountain gorillas continue to receive International attention, the chimpanzees continue to live in the Shadows of their cousins (mountain gorillas). The Chimpanzees are one of the key primates that can be seen and tracked while on a safari in Uganda. These fascinating creatures share more than 98% of their DNA with humans (This makes them mankind’s closest relatives than the mountain gorillas). Who wouldn’t want to see these fascinating animals, I guess not you or me. If you are already in Uganda, then you are at the right place but if you haven’t made up your mind, then you better do so.
Majority of tourists pay as much as $800 to spend just an hour with the mountain gorillas, but do you know that for just a quarter of that amount you can spend an hour with these interesting creatures? The process of tracking Chimpanzee involves hiking through the dense forests for as less as 30 minutes or up to 6 hours, and culminates into meeting with our mesmerizing relatives-the chimpanzees. When you encounter them, you are allowed to spend only one hour with them. These playful primates are always seen swinging from one tree to another, feeding or even moving speedily in the ground. This awesome experience is better seen than being told.
Places in Uganda to track the Chimpanzees
There are several locations in Uganda where Chimpanzees can be tracked from. This even makes this activity more adventurous because you have many options to choose from. Kibale National Park being the Primate Capital with the highest number of Chimpanzees (1500 individuals, 30% of the overall chimpanzee population in Uganda) makes it the prime chimpanzee tracking destination in East Africa. Besides the Chimpanzees, tourists who visit this spectacular Park also get the chance to see other primates (at least 5 of the 13 species in Kibale) including Clack and white Colobus monkeys, Grey-checked Mangabey, Red Colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and Olive Monkeys among Others.
Another must visit spot is Budongo Forest Reserve (Part of Murchison Falls National Park) located in North-western Uganda. This is the second best spot for Chimpanzee tracking, and is particularly conducted from Kaniyo-Pabidi. This place is oftenly overlooked by tourists, but it is a place you will never regret visiting for chimpanzee tracking. Considering the fact that the location is just 3-4 hours drive to reach there, you have a reason for choosing it. Not only that, you can combine Chimpanzee tracking with a game drive or boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park. Isn’t it awesome? I guess it is. Perfect accommodation to spend your nights during this riveting activity is Budongo Eco-lodge where comfortable accommodation in the cottages and their wonderful and delicious meals will leave you breathless.
The list would be incomplete without Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, South-western Uganda. This hidden gem is one of the precious locations where just a family of 25 habituated chimpanzees can be tracked. Kyambura gorge was refereed as the Lost Gorge in a BBC documentary. This beautiful gorge measures 156 square kilometers and is about 100 meters deep. For every information/facts about hoe these Chimpanzee live their lonely lives trapped in a hidden valley, just add this location to your bucket list. After tracking chimpanzees from Kyambura gorge, you can proceed for a game drive within the plains of Queen Elizabeth Park or a launch cruise within the Kazinga Channels
Kalinzu Forest
This place is a typical African Jungle, located in South-western Uganda. There are two habituated families of chimpanzees including Kalinzu M-group that comprises of 70-80 individuals and is typically for research purposes. The other group being Kalinzu S-group has about 25 members was habituated for tourism purposes.
Toro-Semliki wildlife Reserve is another awesome spot for chimpanzee tracking. Toro-Semliki is located in Western Uganda, astride the Democratic Republic of Congo border. The Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve is known for quieter and less certain chimpanzee encounters. This place has a less dense/lighter forest cover which makes tourists to have a clearer view/sight of these remarkable creatures. If compared to other Chimpanzee tracking destinations in Uganda, this spot is one of the cheapest in Uganda. It is also closer to other chimpanzee habitats hence tourists can combine the activity here with Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge and Kibale National Park within few days.
Chimpanzee tracking is not confined to only the wild. Tourists can also visit the zoos and Sanctuaries and see how our close relatives look and behave.
Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC located in Entebbe) cannot be left out because there are some chimpanzees in this Place. Though UWEC doesn’t provide the true authentic chimpanzee tracking experience as the other destinations, it cannot be ignored. Tourists who find it cumbersome and costly to visit the other protected areas to see these creatures are catered for. This former Entebbe Zoo is a home to around 40 captive Chimpanzees.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
If you wish to track these creatures but are limited by time, why not visit this sanctuary and spend one of the most thrilling moments with humankind’s closest relatives? Ngamba Island located about 23km South-East of Entebbe is one of Koome group of Islands on Lake Victoria and is a home to over 40 Orphaned Chimpanzees rescued from various habitats in Uganda. Trekking through this Sanctuary gives you the feeling of trekking through any other forest in Uganda much as it is a secondary forest.
Just like any other exciting and important activity, chimpanzee tracking has tracking rules/guidelines which include; Tourists below the age of 15 are not allowed to participate in the activity (with the exception of Kalinzu where the minimum age is 12 years), only 6 people are allowed to visit the gorilla group, maintain a distance of 8 meters while with these creatures, flash cameras are not allowed for taking their photographs, avoid eating while in the presence of the chimps and tourists with cough or flue are prohibited from engaging in the activity because there are higher chances of them catching those illnesses.
In order to have the unforgettable Uganda safari experience, there are things you need to carry in order not to ruin your memorable experience. They include; rain jacket because the weather is highly unpredictable, strong shoes with enough grip, long sleeved shirts, pair of binoculars to be able to watch some of the birds, camera (non flash), drinking water and long trousers (avoid shorts).
Therefore, much as the chimpanzees have received little International attention, chimpanzee tracking is an important activity that introduces you to mankind’s closest relatives. Visit these creatures and be thrilled with their playful nature.
