Uganda chimpanzee trekking adventures are adventures of a lifetime where you get to meet man’s closest primates. Chimpanzees are primates that mainly live in East and West African tropical rainforests. They have over 98.7 percent DNA similar to humans which makes them man’s closest primates. Chimpanzees live in communities of up to 20 individuals that are led by a dominant male and are very mobile.
Chimpanzees have the capability to stand and walk upright but prefer to walk on all four (Legs and hands). The chimpanzee diet is comprised of a variety of options and they are not pure vegetarian as counterpart gorilla species. They eat a lot of plant leaves, fruits, insects, small antelopes and sometimes kill monkeys for a meal.
Uganda is the best chimpanzee trekking destination in East Africa. The country has several chimpanzee trekking destinations like Kibale Forest which has the highest population of eastern chimpanzees. Let us briefly look at these major destinations where you can have the ultimate chimpanzee trekking experience.
Kibale National Park is located in Western Uganda about a 6-hour drive from Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. The park covers a land area of 766 square kilometers comprising tropical rainforests that are home to various wildlife species. These include 13 primate species, over 320 bird species, and other big mammals including forest elephants and giant forest hogs.
Kibale Forest National Park stands out as the best chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda and East Africa in general. Uganda chimpanzee trekking adventures in Kibale are outstanding as you meet the chimpanzees in their most preferred habitats. The chimpanzee trekking experience starts early morning with a briefing at the park headquarters.
After the briefing, you are then guided by rangers for a hike amidst the sighting of various wildlife species. Chimpanzees are mobile you have to keep up as they move or jump from one Tree to another. You are allowed up to an hour in the presence of chimpanzees observing and getting to know them. You are expected to keep at least 7 meters away from them and withdraw in case they come towards you.
In case you would like to explore and learn more about chimpanzees then you can opt for the chimpanzee habituation experience. This gives you more time and you start early following the routine of the chimpanzees.
Kyambura Gorge Forest
Kyambura Gorge Forest is located in Queen Elizabeth National Park in the Kichwamba area. This forest is an underground one in the gorge that covers about 11 kilometers. It is dissected by River Kyambura links to the Kazinga channel. The gorge is a unique place to see chimpanzees and one of the best Uganda chimpanzee trekking destinations.
The view of the forest and the gorge is breathtaking and it gets better when you hike down the river and the forest trails. Kyambura Gorge is not just home to chimpanzees but also other primates including red-tailed monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, and colobus monkeys.
The chimpanzee numbers here are minimal compared to Kibale National Park but you still enjoy exclusive primate trekking experiences.
Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu forest is another important Uganda chimpanzee trekking destination. It is located in Bushenyi and covers a land area of 137 square Kilometers. The forest is home to chimpanzees and many other primates and birds.
Chimpanzee trekking here is reliable and exclusive as few people visit the forest compared to Kibale. The forest can be accessed via Kichwamba when coming from Queen Elizabeth National Park. We, therefore, recommend people who intend to trek chimpanzees here stay in the Kichwamba area ahead of the adventure. It takes about 30 minutes to drive to Kalizu forest. The chimpanzee trekking experience here also starts with a briefing after which you are guided for the trek.
The other notable primates here include blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and Vervet monkeys among others. Adventures here are complemented by savanna wildlife experiences in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest is located in mid-western Uganda in Kiryandongo District. It covers a land area of 435 square kilometers that is mainly made up of tropical rainforests. The forest is strategically located on the way to Murchison Falls National Park and is also home to chimpanzees. Budongo is home to several other wildlife species including birds, mammals among others.
This forest is among Uganda’s underrated and less explored primate destinations yet exclusive and offers remarkable primate trekking experiences. On-foot chimpanzee trekking is the main activity done here and it is truly remarkable and rewarding. You can have an overnight at the accommodation facility nearby and have a chimpanzee trek the following day. From there proceed to Murchison Falls National Park for savanna wildlife experiences and a boat cruise along the Nile.
Uganda chimpanzee trekking adventures are fun if Budongo forest primate expeditions are fully incorporated into the itineraries.
Bugoma Forest
Bugoma forest is located in Hoima in western Uganda. It is among the greatly threatened natural forests in Uganda facing deforestation as some people are trying to create land for a sugar plantation. The forest just like the others is home to a number of wildlife species with about 23 mammal species including chimpanzees, over 200 bird species, butterflies, and amphibians among others.
Even though Bugoma forest is not a popular chimpanzee trekking destination, it has a reasonable number of chimpanzees that need to be conserved and protected. The chimpanzee trekking activity that goes on here is limited but very enjoyable as it is exclusive.
A lot of conservation efforts are in place to ensure the limited destruction of the forest which also means the continued survival of all the wildlife species here including chimpanzees.
At Discovery Journeys we aim at conservation and all our safaris are eco-friendly always advocating for the protection of nature and culture. You can be part of these and explore these leading Uganda chimpanzee trekking destinations for a better understanding of nature and the numerous species therein.
Our Chimpanzee Trekking Tours
Our major Primate Discovery Journeys in Uganda feature chimpanzee trekking. The 7 Days Uganda Safari is ideal but 10 Days Uganda Discovery Journeys Adventure is even greater with leading savanna wildlife destinations like Murchison Falls National Park.
Other primate Discovery Journeys feature mountain gorilla trekking. This can be done in Uganda or Rwanda depending on your preference. You can opt for a 3-day Uganda Habituation tour for more time in the presence of the gorillas.
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