Best Places To Trek Chimpanzees. The four best places to trek the chimpanzees are Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, and Nyungwe National Park. Chimpanzees among the animal kingdom are the closest human relatives, with approximately 98% human genes. Due to habitat loss worldwide, the population of chimpanzees has drastically dwindled, putting them on the list of endangered species in the world.
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Uganda has several destinations to see the chimpanzees, but the most outstanding are Kibale National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi forest in Murchison Falls National Park, and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
In Rwanda, Nyungwe National Park is the only home for the chimpanzees in the country, but very exciting, engaging, and scenic too. As the forest depletion is taking a heavy toll on the world’s natural forests, some countries like Rwanda are taking it upon themselves to continue conserving the habitats of such primates even though its land is small.
Best Destinations for Chimpanzee Trekking Adventures
In Uganda
Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is situated in the western part of Uganda and is a tropical rainforest that hosts about 13 primate species, including Chimpanzees. The population of chimpanzees in Kibale forest is estimated to be 1500, and currently, about 12 chimpanzee communities have been habituated and opened to the public. In Africa, this is one of the largest numbers of habituated chimpanzees, so the chances of seeing them in the wilderness in this park are high.
Other primates that are residents of Kibale forest include L’hoest, pottos, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus, red colobus monkeys, bush babies, and several others.
Some of the birds of Kibale forest include Yellow-spotted Nicator, African Pitta, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, blue-breasted Kingfisher, crowned eagles, black bee-eater, green-breasted pitta, and others.
During chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, tourists may get the chance to spot some animals that cross from Queen Elizabeth National Park, which shares a 180-kilometer-long migration corridor south of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Some of these migratory animals include forest elephants, wild forest hogs, and solitary buffaloes, among others.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park has two sessions, the morning and afternoon, but each session must be led by a ranger guide.
How to get to Kibale National Park
From Kampala or Entebbe, the distance to Kibale National Park via Mubende and Fort Portal is about 336 Kilometers at a time of approximately 5 to 6 hours. An alternative route to Kibale National Park is via Mbarara and Kamwenge. Domestic daily flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi to Kasese airstrips are available both morning and afternoon. For more private flight arrangements, charter flight services are available.
Accommodations for Kibale National Park include Ndali Lodge, Primates Lodge, Chimpanzee Guesthouse, Kibale Safari Lodge, Chimps Nest, and Kyaninga Lodge.
Kyambura Gorge In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated 100 meters deep on the Albertine Rift Valley floor. This forested part of the generally savanna grassland area is home to an exciting community of chimpanzees. A combo of a game safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park and chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge is a perfect match.
The formation of this gorge resulted from the erosion of the River Kyambura as it tried to make its way toward Kazinga Channel, the prime game-viewing spot in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Some hiking is necessary while on a search to find the chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge,e as you get down or up the slopes to where the chimpanzees may be spending the day. Several other primates are present in this forested part of the park, including olive baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus,s and others.
Other than chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, you may enjoy other activities in Queen Elizabeth National Pa,rk including game safaris, launch trips on Kazinga channel, nature walks, and others.
How to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kyambura Gorge
From Kampala, the distance to drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park is about 420 kilometers via the Masaka-Mbarara route. An alternative route is via Fort Portal at a distance of about 410 kilometers.
Scheduled flight services are available from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi to Mweya or Kasese Airstrip. Charter flights are available too, which you can book in advance so that all necessary clearance can be made.
Accommodations to Book in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park accommodations are categorized into luxury, mid-range, and basic. Some accommodations include Mweya Safari Lodge, Jacana Lodge, Bush Lodge, Elephants Plain Lodge, Simba Safari Camp, Kingfisher Lodge,e and others.
Kaniyo Pabidi Forest In Murchison Falls National Park
Chimpanzee trekking in Murchison Falls National Park happens in the Kaniyo Pabidi forest. Kaniyo Pabidi forest is 8 Kilometers from the Kicubanyombo gate of Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National Park is the largest wildlife-protected area in Uganda, covering an area of about 3893 square kilometers. This park is bisected by the River Nile, which is its lifeblood.
During the chimpanzee trek adventure in Kaniyo Pabidi, you may spot other primates that are residents of this park, such as black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, and others. Kaniyo Pabidi forest is a great Uganda birding destination worth adding to the list of destinations to visit in Uganda.
Other than chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi forest, tourists may engage in other activities within Murchison Falls National Pa,rk including Game drives, sports fishing, Launch trips, birding, guided Nature walks, hiking to the top of the falls, visiting the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the outskirts of this park, and others.
How To Get To Murchison Falls National Park, then Kaniyo Pabidi Forest
From Kampala or Entebbe, the distance to Murchison Falls National Park is about 305 Kilometers at a drive time of about 5 to 6 hours.
Charter flights are available from Entebbe or Kajjansi airstrip to Bugungu or Pakuba airstrip.
Accommodation to book in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park has different options of accommodations you can book during the safari, including Up-market, mid-range, and basic. Accommodations in Murchison Falls National Park include Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Red Chills Camp, Sambiya Lodge, and others.
In Rwanda
Nyungwe National Park
Best Places To Trek Chimpanzees: Nyungwe Forest National Park is Rwanda’s top chimpanzee trekking destination, located in the southwest. The park has two chimpanzee communities open to visitors. Trekking begins with a briefing at Uwinka headquarters, then guides lead you along trails like Igishigishigi and Usamo, passing beautiful waterfalls.
Beyond chimpanzees, the park shelters other primates, including colobus and blue monkeys. Additionally, over 200 bird species live here, making it perfect for birding.
Finally, the canopy walk offers a thrilling experience. You cross a suspension bridge 160 meters long and 70 meters high, enjoying stunning views above the dense forest canopy.
How to get to Nyungwe National Park
Best Places To Trek Chimpanzees. From Kigali City, the distance you drive to Nyungwe National Park is about 219 kilometers, with a drive time of about 4 to 5 hours. Charter flight services are available from Kigali airport to Nyungwe Forest, but you must book in advance so that all arrangements can be cleared up front.
Accommodation options to use on the chimpanzee trekking safari in Nyungwe National Park are still limited by those available, including Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, Gisaku Guest House, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe House, and Gisaku Family Hostel.
Note that during the peak tourism season in Rwanda, the demand for chimpanzee permits and other related activities gets high, creating scarcity for those who book at the last minute.
When is the best time to book A Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
Best Places To Trek Chimpanzees. The best time to book the chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda is the dry season, which is normally June to September and December to mid-January, when the environment in the forest has less precipitation. Chimpanzee trekking is open all year, and you’re sure to find the chimpanzees any time.
The chimpanzees in the forests tend to spend more time closer to the ground in the dry season, but keep moving into the deeper forest as they search for better feeding grounds.
The wet season shouldn’t be ignored when you plan the chimpanzee trekking tour. The wet season is normally from March to May and November. The chimpanzees are accessible in the forest during the wet season, although they tend to spend more time up in the trees.
What guidelines to follow on a chimpanzee safari trip
- Never feed the chimpanzee,s as they are wild animals that must fend for their food. Gradually feeding creates dependence on human provision.
- For long calls, ask your ranger guide to dig a hole about 30 meters deep, and then cover everything well beyond recognition.
- Be friendly to nature because it’s food for the primates, including the chimpanzees. Even the birds enjoy the foliage, so do not dump any wraps or any other waste. The government also promotes ecotourism,m and violating this calls for a penalty.
- Avoid spitting randomly on the vegetation, as it’s the main source of food for the chimpanzees and birds.s
- Never smoke or eat before the chimpanzees. You may not know what would happen if they ate human snacks.
- Keep a distance from the chimpanzees and try not to surround them; they will feel insecure and ambushed.
- Sneezing and coughing may come at times as a reflex action, but do it away from the chimpanzees because you can never know the infections you may transmit to the chimpanzee.s
Pack the right Chimpanzee safari gear.
Best Places To Trek Chimpanzees. Packing for Chimpanzee safaris is very important as you lay your plan for this safari. Chimpanzee Safaris involve walking in the wilderness, where the environment may be tough at times.
- Some of the chimpanzee tour gear you can pack includes safari boots, insect repellent,
- Garden gloves to cover your palms
- Extra fully charged batteries
- Foldable Safari hat
- Safari long-sleeved shirt and trousers in wilderness-friendly colors like Khaki
- Some warmers, such as the early mornings and evenings, get cold
- Rainproof gears
- A torch
- Sunscreen: Even though this area experiences less sunlight
- Some hard cash
- Light Shoe bag to put in your shoes after the gorilla trek.
- Travel adapter
- First aid kit with emergency treatment in case you need it
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