Have you ever imagined meeting the closest relative of your human race without any barrier? The pearl of Africa is the right place to go! Every year, thousands of tourists flood Uganda with their major objective being, to observe the primate life in the wildness of the Pearl of Africa, Gorillas rank first, and chimpanzees, second among the most visited primates.
Over the past century, Uganda as a country has lost about 90% of the chimpanzees. Now remaining with an estimate of about 5000, out of the estimated 250000 individual chimpanzees in the whole world. Mind you, these beautiful apes share 98% of their DNA with humans making them the closest relative to man. This is so amazing! Gorilla lovers argue that gorilla tracking is very fun, thrilling adventurous, and exciting, this remains a fact, but everyone would agree with me that chimp tracking is all that added together, and is intriguingly far better. In fact, incomparably fun because Chimps are more like people and live in communities just like us humans, surprising, isn’t it?
When you pay them a visit, you’ll have a high chance of coming across a group of young chimps playing, feel free to join them by the way. These creatures are very good hosts as they will all come around and join in when you visit them. They mean no harm but are here to welcome you. You need to know the do’s and not first before getting in close contact with them though, as they can be dangerous especially when they feel threatened.
Hoping to have more fun? Remember to move around with yellow bananas on you. In this case, you’ll be everyone’s best friend and attract a larger number. It’s exciting and thrilling watching them do their best to lure you into giving them a single yellow banana finger. Some will beat their chests, some will run around, others will just stay still and give you that piteous look and you just sympathize with them and give them at least one. There are also greedy ones that will collect more than two and eat all of them without sharing with anyone, yet others will share even the one finger they’ve got. Fights are always breaking out about whom the alpha male is supposed to be, there are introverts, players, who joke around with every female, rebel members of the group, and mother figures to almost everyone in the groups, a typical community is what you’ll find here!
The good news is that most of the chimps in the pearl of Africa have undergone habituation, making them more exposed and used to people being around them as they are easier to associate with and less shy as long as you do not interfere in their natural behaviors. Just sit aside in favorable distance, and watch them quietly without disrespect. While here, feed your eyes because this is a once in a life time experience. Do not forget to carry your camera with you to keep the moment’s memories and proof of the stories to tell everyone else at home but most importantly, don’t forget to live in the moment while with them, too. As this is a very unique experience.
Uganda in particular hosts a number of unique tourist destinations in which these beautiful apes are found. However, the prices for entrances, tracking, and habituation in these places differ, depending on a number of things that are explained here briefly. These places include;
Kibale Forest National Park
The forest has the largest chimpanzee concentration in East Africa with over 1500 individuals, making it the most popular chimpanzee destination in the country. The chances of a successful sighting here are very common, assumed to be at 96%. The forest has about 1000 habituated chimps and two other communities are still being habituated. It’s also home to about 12-13 more other primates that include; red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, L Hoest monkeys, Vervet monkeys, Grey checked mangabeys, Blue monkeys, Black and white colobus monkeys, the Patto Ugandan red colobus, Demidoff Galago(bush babies,) military monkeys,(patas monkeys,), and the Ugandan mangabey. You could include yourself too!
Kalinzu forest.
The forest hosts one of the largest communities of chimps in the country arguably second in the country after Kibale forest National Park. With over 320 chimpanzee individuals that are open to tourists to track. Many of the visitors prefer this forest to Kyambura Gorge which is found in the main park, it’s very easy to reach park through the Mweya sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which takes only 40 minutes to drive. There is plenty to see besides chimps in Kalinzu Forest, over 410 species of trees, and about 260 bird species. Over 98 moths and flowers. Its nearness to 2 wildlife reserves has as well attracted a large number of mammals like the wild pig, antelopes, buffalos, lions, and leopards most of the times spotting them and even going as far as taking some beautiful shots of them will require you to have some level of skills, the terrain in Kalinzu is very steep and the chimps themselves are very mobile in nature and often spend most of the time up the trees swinging from one tree to another, therefore, you ought to be physically prepared to follow them. Others will just be there chilling and so easy to find. Chimpanzees are the major you’ll as well come across other primates like baboons, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and so many more.
Kyambura Gorge
Chimpanzee tracking in Queen Elizabeth national park is done in two sectors, the eastern part of the park i.e., Kyambura gorge, where these activities are only possible currently, and Maramagambo whose habituated chimps and the sector itself haven’t been declared safe for tacking even though there are so many chimpanzees being spotted in the forest. This shouldn’t freak you out because Kyambura side alone can be extremely adventurous as it leaves the traveler wanting to see more and more wildlife and will still not be disappointed as there’s plenty to see including other primates like the Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and Lhotse’s monkeys. Etc. There are also other animals like Buffalo, bushbuck, and lions to mention but a few. Bird lovers will also enjoy bird-watching different bird species while in the park as this is one of Africa’s leading birding destinations. The birds of the park include but are not limited to; the African skimmer, white-winged warblers, African hornbill, and so much more. While here, there’s a 100% assurance that you won’t get tired of taking pics, so don’t forget to carry enough batteries in your camera and take shots of moments and memories to share with the rest of the family and friends back at home.
Budongo Forest
Located on your way to Murchison falls national park.’ Budongo forest is not quite as convenient to reach as Kibale because one needs more time to reach there than to Kibale and the chances of a sighting are 80-85%. Budongo forest will require you to have a certain level of fitness and if you want to have a real feel of the tracking activity, then this is the right place to be. Imagine stepping into the mad, only to look closely around to find it’s their dung or the leftovers on their eats of fig trees. As all your folks laugh at you, you’ll instead have made a memory and laughing topic to tell whenever and wherever you feel the urge to. Endeavor to prepare for this thrilling adventure in advance as it’s definitely like no other!
Ngamba Island
A safe haven for 52 0rphaned and rescued chimpanzees now, Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary is surrounded by the peaceful waters of Lake Victoria founded in 1998 due to the massive loss of chimps in the country, generally. While here, closely observe these fascinating gorgeous apes in this unique setting that is only accessible using a boat cruise on Lake Victoria to the island.
The sanctuary provides a safe home for chimpanzees rescued from the poachers and it’s said that only 2 were born here chimpanzees. While caring for the environment and other wildlife of the forest. But despite their initial trauma, the chimps living at Ngamba now have a safe space to stay, more of what you can call a semi-natural environment in which to recover from their past fears for over 60 years.
Provides a high-quality educational experience for visitors as you also indulge yourself in the evening culture of Uganda through the dances, music, drama, and storytelling.
Upon arrival, you’ll receive a personal orientation by a chimp caregiver and view and also be allowed to feed the chips
You’ll get close to the animals with an innkeeper for this special moment, you get a chance to feed the animals at close range, and interact with them. The famous animals are the giraffes, elands, shoebill stock, cheaters, rhinos, lions, and chimps.
The adventure is different from what you’ll expect to see as it goes beyond feeding the chimpanzee to feeding other animals like the giraffe, elephants, and much more. You’ll never forget this fantastic experience ever in your life. The feeling alone, and the shots you’ll take will forever remain memorable to you.
You’ll also be treated to sights of monitor lizards, different birds, and photographic opportunities.
Uganda Wildlife Education Center
Imagine watching a chimpanzee hold their own cup of porridge, peeling their own yellow banana, and even asking for more. This will surely leave you fun thrilled. Anyways, just take time and visit the Uganda wildlife education center, i guarantee, you’ll enjoy these and even more interesting stuff through participating in these unique once-in-a-lifetime adventurous experience.
The Uganda Wildlife Education Center is a semi gazetted home to rescued animals, these are often victims of bush meats, illegal trade, and destruction of habitat. You’ll be thrilled to visit this place, seeing so many animals in one place. An absolute perfect place to take your children for a day as the team here is also very welcoming and will educate you about everything you need to know. A must-visit place for everyone that loves adventure but also enjoys and can contribute to the support and conservation of wildlife.
Mind you, the rescued individuals that can make it in the wild once evaluated, are released back into the wild. So In short, this facility doesn’t buy animals or use them for entertainment but is an ambassador to help save and maintain wild animals. You can also sign up to be mother of the day for one that you find interest in, you’ll be more like a sponsor of the day! In the company of a well-trained keeper, participate in a chimpanzee experience in a forest-like environment. The essence of keeping them is to help rescued chimpanzees slowly adapt, and build the confidence and trust of other chimps who in turn become their long-term allies. The guides help you interpret their different gestures and sounds while advising you on how to behave with them too. Be ready to also learn about their history, rescue stories, how they came to the center, behaviors, and the challenges they face.
Get a chance to watch other primates like monkeys of different kinds, and other rescued animals like lions, buffaloes, elephants, leopards, crocodiles, the pre-historic shoebill stork, baboons, etc.
All in all, Chimps and the most exciting animals to watch as they are adorable creatures that animal and primate lovers can’t ignore paying a visit. This adventure is tremendous and worth every bit of money, time, and energy and time that will invest.
Note.
There is a list of things you’ll need to know and carry with you (trekking gear). So plan your trip in advance and have a perfect experience. (Trekking gear)
You’ll be required to book your permit as early as possible, especially in the peak season because only 36 permits are issued each day making it only 6 groups of 6 people being able to track per day yet in Uganda, chimpanzee tracking is often tailored with other wider itinerary that includes other activities like gorilla trekking or other primate activities, birding, and so many others to have more adventure and also reduce on the overall cost.
If you book through a tour operator, the fees will include the permits, park entrance fees, guides, meals, and so on, depending on your initial agreement.
The minimum age for both gorilla tracking and chimp tracking in Uganda and in all national parks is 15 years of age
The best time to visit would be in the dry season, that’s to say; Jan, Feb June, July, August Sept-mid October because the grounds are not slippery then making moments of searching for them a lot easier