What is Chimpanzee Trekking?

You can enter the world of chimpanzees in the wild by engaging in chimpanzee trekking, one of the most well-liked wildlife activities in Uganda. The interpretive rangers of the Uganda Wildlife Authority take a small group of no more than 8 people into the chimpanzee habitat.

The hikes run around three hours, and the time spent with the chimpanzees is limited to an hour. During that time, you can expect to see them from a secure yet up-close distance of 8 to 10 meters. Discover the chimpanzees’ beauty, intelligence, and social systems up close and personal.

What is Chimpanzee Habituation?

Getting used to being a chimpanzee is an immersive process. You can go on an excursion into the forest with the habituation team researchers for an hour or an entire day. The encounter is more surprising since these chimpanzees are less accustomed to human presence. Although it can be difficult to follow these nimble primates, the experience is very rewarding.

How much time you spend with the chimps makes the most significant distinction between the regular chimp treks and the habituation experience. You can stay in the chimps’ company for a lot longer thanks to the experience of habituation.

Kibale Forest National Park

The primary chimpanzee trekking location in Uganda is Kibale Forest National Park, which is home to about 1,500 chimpanzees. The rainforest, which is  located in South-West Uganda, is conveniently close to Entebbe and Kampala.

Excellent chimp populations can be found in the forest, and the park has come to be associated with chimpanzees. Since the park is located along the south-western safari circuit, it is simple to combine with other experiences and the possibilities of sightings are at least 90%.

The tracking trips leave twice daily at 8:00 and 14:00, with the morning excursions being busier due to the fact that many itineraries  pair them with a trip to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary in the afternoon.

It is necessary to have a tracking permit, which may be obtained through the Uganda Wildlife Authority. At Kibale, there are also opportunities to get accustomed to chimpanzees. For those who sign up for the whole day, you will spend it with the chimpanzees from the time they break their nests, which is around 06:30, until they nest again for the night, which is around 19:00.

Budongo Forest Reserve, Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park remains the greatest adventure destination during a safari in Uganda. The sheer variety of experiences available here is amazing. Game drives, boat tours, chimp trekking, walks to breathtaking waterfalls and landscapes, and sundowners at upscale lodges with views of the savannah can all be included in one trip.

The Budongo Forest Reserve is a woodland area south of the lovely park, is a great place to go chimpanzee tracking. The contact rate at Budongo is roughly 80%, which is greater than the contact rate at Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Kyambura Gorge. The experience is more intimate at Kibale, despite the larger likelihood of sightings there. The National Forestry Authority has several options for tracking permits.

At Budongo, the guiding is quite good. Each morning and afternoon, up to six guided groups of three persons monitor the chimpanzees. Because of the center’s previous ties to the Jane Goodall Institute, the interpretive guides do a fantastic job of illuminating the larger history of the chimpanzees and the forest.

Typically, contact is achieved after just one hour of walking during a traditional tracking mission, which lasts about three hours. For travelers who want a longer interaction with the chimpanzees, this location also offers a full-day habituation experience.

Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park

The third most well-liked chimp trekking location in Uganda is Kyambura Gorge, a beautifully hidden gorge in the otherwise flat savannah bordering Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Kyambura Gorge, which lies in the extreme east, is known as “the valley of the apes.” The lush forest that covers the gorge walls is a result of the Kyambura River’s centuries-long erosion, and it serves as a prime habitat for chimpanzees.

You will have a sense of entering another universe as a knowledgeable guide from the Ugandan Wildlife Authority brings you into this secret jungle.

The chances of spotting one of the gorge’s 17 chimpanzees are roughly 60%. A sighting is made much more exciting by the sights and noises of the forest, which create anticipation. The Uganda Wildlife Authority is the place to go to book tracking permits (if you book with us, we take care of everything for you).

Since the park has exceptional biodiversity, it is frequently visited for game drives, boat cruises, and to see the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha Sector of the park. Kyambura Gorge is typically added as an add-on to an existing safari at Queens.

Semuliki Wildlife Reserve

A small group of chimpanzees reside in the Semliki Valley, which is located in western Uganda. Expect the search for the chimpanzees in Semliki to be challenging. They must travel a great distance in the dry, sparse woodland to find enough food.

As scientists attempt to determine the connection between chimpanzees walking on two legs and the emergence of our own species, the study program here is cutting edge.

The Best Months For Chimpanzee Trekking In Uganda

In Uganda, the dry months of June to September and December to February are ideal for chimpanzee trekking. The year round appeal of Uganda. Due to its equatorial environment, the country has constant temperatures all year round. Seasons in Uganda are distinguished by different amounts of rainfall. The long rainy season lasts from March to May, and the short rainy season lasts from October to November.

The best seasons for trekking are from June to September and December to February, when it is dry. Your walk should be made more enjoyable by the clear, sunny weather, but downpours are still likely due to Uganda’s tropical environment.

The months of June through September are Uganda’s busiest travel months, and to accommodate the increased demand, hotel rates are boosted. If you don’t mind challenging trekking conditions, traveling during the rainy season will save you money.

How Difficult Is Chimpanzee Trekking In Uganda?

Since excursions last about three hours, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda necessitates a moderate level of physical condition. Chimps normally reside at low altitudes, unlike gorillas, and the flat environment will let you concentrate on the chimpanzees. Chimpanzees may dart through the forest and are quite energetic. To keep up with them, you should feel at ease moving swiftly on short notice.

The walk will primarily follow forest routes, but in case the chimpanzees are found off the trails, you should be ready to navigate the underbrush. The pathways will be slicker and the forest will be denser during the rainy season. The expedition will become more challenging as a result.

Because there is less demand during the rainy seasons, permits are less expensive and simpler to obtain.