Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Uganda.
The chimpanzee trekking is one of the most exciting primate safari activities in Uganda, which is one of the most ideal destinations for primates in the East African region. Uganda is a country with vast tropical forest cover, rich wildlife and well well-organised tourism industry, giving a visitor the unique chance to see chimpanzees in their natural habitats.
As a primate lover, wildlife photographer or simply an adventure tourer, a chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda will be something you will have to remember and share your experience about the behaviour of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.
The Chimpanzee Trekking Destinations in Uganda.
Kibale National Park is the most famous chimpanzee trekking site in Uganda, commonly known as the primaeval capital of the world. The rainforest is rich and has more than 1,500 chimpanzees and 13 species of primates, thus it is the most popular chimpanzee trekking centre in East Africa.
Other interesting trekking sites are Budongo Forest Reserve near Murchison Falls National Park, Kalinzu Forest Reserve near Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kyambura Gorge, also referred to as Valley of Apes. Each of them offers a new scenery and degree of walking difficulty, yet each of them promises to deliver unbelievable experiences of meeting the primates.
The Chimpanzee Trekking Experience.
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda normally starts at the beginning of the morning and is guided by the well-trained rangers and guides. Visitors are then guided into the rainforest and are briefed about the rules of safety and trekking etiquette before being taken on a hunt to find chimpanzees. The tour may take between 2 to 4 hours, or so, depending on the location where the chimps had their nest last night.
Upon finding them, they can be viewed by visitors at a close distance for a maximum of one hour. It is thrilling and very touching to see chimps grooming, feeding, communicating and playing in the canopy. The thick forest with the songs of the birds and monkeys creates the true atmosphere of wilderness.
Habituation Experience with Chimpanzees.
Uganda also has a longer and more immersive experience in the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Kibale Forest for the traveller. Markedly as compared to normal trekking, where the visitors spend one hour with the chimpanzees, habituation enables you to spend an entire day with a chimpanzee community.
In this kind of work, one chooses the chimps and stays with them in the morning until they get back into their nests in the evening. It is an ideal selection among researchers, photographers and travellers who would desire to gain a thorough knowledge regarding the behaviour of chimpanzees, their social settings and survival techniques.
The Chimpanzee Trekking time is best during this time of year.
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is best done during the dry seasons: 2-3 months of December to February and June to September. These months are less slippery in the forest trails, and trekking is therefore much easier and more enjoyable. Nevertheless, the rainforests in Uganda are permanent and thus can be trekked throughout the year. The rainy seasons (March to May and October to November) would provide greenery and less congestion; however, the paths can be muddy and more difficult to walk.
Permits and Costs
Chimpanzee trekking tours are obligatory and have to be reserved beforehand either with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or a licensed tour operator. The prices of the permits are approximately $200 per person in the Kibale National Park, whereas the chimp habituation experience is about $250 per person.
Permits are also relatively cheaper in Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Kalinzu Forest and are generally good options for those on a tight budget. The income gained from permits is utilised on conservation programs and community development around the parks.
Wildlife and Other Attractions other than chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda can hardly be restricted to primates only. There are also several other monkeys found in Kibale National Park, such as the red colobus, black and white colobus, and blue and grey cheeked mangabeys. More than 350 species of birds, with some of them being rare like the green-breasted pitta, can be observed by the birdwatchers.
In case of trekking in the Budongo Forest, tourists can incorporate the adventure of visiting the Murchison Falls National Park, where they can explore the game parks and take a boat ride on the Nile. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one destination where a Kyambura Gorge trekking excursion with a Kazinga Channel boat safari or a drive through the Ishasha sector to view tree-climbing lions makes it an exciting safari agenda.
Chimpanzee Trekking: Practical tips.
To have fun in your hiking trip, you need to wear lightweight and long-sleeved clothes to protect yourself from insects and thorny bushes. The hiking boots must be waterproof, a hat, insect repellent, and an adequate amount of drinking water is needed. A zoom lens on a good camera is going to assist you in close-up shots without having to disturb the animals.
Trekkers are expected to be of reasonable fitness because the trails might be steep and muddy, particularly after rain. Never ignore the instructions of the guide, keep a safe distance between yourself and the chimpanzees and never take flash pictures.
Accommodation Options
There are numerous accommodation facilities in Uganda around chimpanzee trekking sites. In the Kibale area, tourists have options of high-end lodges, such as the Kyaninga Lodge and Crater Safari Lodge, midrange lodges, such as Isunga Lodge, or low-cost lodges in Fort Portal. Budongo Eco Lodge, which is located near Budongo, has comfortable eco-friendly rooms.
In the Kyambura Gorge, lodges such as Kyambura Gorge Lodge and more affordable accommodations at Queen Elizabeth National Park serve as the best bases for the chimpanzee safari. These lodges tend to book the permits and offer guided tours, and therefore make the planning easier.
Reasons To Visit Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda.
There is no competition to Uganda as far as primate tourism is concerned. Uganda has a combination of low-cost permits, different trekking areas, and biodiversity in a single country, unlike other destinations in East Africa. It is easy to integrate chimpanzee trekking with gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, classic game drives in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, as well as cultural activities in local communities. Such a diversity makes Uganda one of the most rewarding places to have a safari in Africa.
Conclusion
Uganda chimpanzee trekking Safari is not a mere wildlife adventure, but an experience into the core of the rainforest, whereby people have a better understanding of primates and their delicate life systems. Uganda is the best place to have chimpanzee encounters as it has world-class trekking sites, low-cost permits, and possibilities to combine primate viewing with the traditional wildlife safari. You can visit Kibale Forest, Budongo, Kyambura or Kalinzu, but whichever trek you decide to visit, you will have an opportunity to peep into the world of these intelligent and social beings. Uganda should be the first country listed among the locations that tourists would want to visit in order to have a pure and memorable safari.
