Top Chimpanzee tracking spots in Uganda
Primates are the one of the remarkable species that boasts the highly appreciated Wildlife inhabited in Africa’s untouched habitats. These habitats are made up of tropical rainforests, Savannah, bamboo forests, marshes, grasslands, Swamps and montane forests. Of the total primates recorded in Africa, chimpanzees are unequalled. The close relation to human being features makes them unique from other primates.
Few have got the chance of meeting face to face with these primates that behave like real human beings. If you are not among them but very much interested then you should park for Uganda, a country with variety of chimpanzees.
Uganda is geographically located in the Eastern part of the African continent bounded by different countries in its different regions.
Arriving in Uganda for the Chimpanzee primates, am sure you will leave commending what Uganda as offered to you or even hoping for a second visit.
If it’s your first time for Chimpanzee primate encounters in Uganda, listed below are the major spots to meet these human related creatures.
Kibale Forest National Park.
Just in the Western part of Uganda near fort portal town, you find the home to plenty of Chimpanzee primates.
If you are after variety, Kibale Forest National Park is the only one to consider for a stay even 2-3 days. The biggest part of this Park is occupied by the evergreen Kibale forest in addition to the bird packed Bigodi wetland.
Over thirteen primates call the lush Jungles of Kibale National park home including the Chimpanzee primates. Other primates include Black and White colobus, Blue monkeys, baboons, Vervets, Red tailed monkeys and more.
You can easily get to this Park by road transport means via Kampala – Mityana – Mubende – Fort portal highway.
Along with birding watching and Bigodi walk, Chimpanzee Tracking and habituation experience are the main reasons for a tailor made safari to this Park. The tracking experience costs $150 USD and habituation costs $200 USD per person.
Kyambura gorge – Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Also called the valley of Apes, Kyambura is located in the Eastern corner of Queen Elizabeth National Park – Western Uganda. At its broadest point, 100 m deep, the gorge is drained by River Kyambura. Visitors to the gorge are impressed by both the rich wildlife bio diversity together with scenic landscapes.
This is a world of its own; entering inside you will be fascinated by the lush tropical rain forests, savannah and forest canopies along with underground forests comprised of blocks of plant life.
Due to its beauty, Kyambura gorge is one of the main reasons for a customized trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Most travelers use it as an alternative for Kibale Forest National Park to avoid long distance drives, though sometimes chimpanzees here are rarely seen and this isn’t the case to Kibale. Therefore if you are hoping for a chimpanzee trek in this area, please plan your safari according to the best times of sighting Chimpanzees in this gorge.
Budongo forest – Murchison Falls National Park.
Budongo ranks as the biggest mahogany forest in the Eastern part of Africa, habitat to a diverse range of chimpanzee primates. It’s located in the north western part of Uganda near or part of Murchison Falls National Park. It takes about three hours for the drive from Kampala to this locale.
Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro Ecotourism site are the major tourism sites with in this forest. These sites lies along the boundaries with Murchison Falls National Park, they are mainly dominated by Mahogany trees.
Budongo’s lush vegetation lures a number of Wildlife animals from Murchison, therefore it’s very common to sight animals like Leopards, Lions, Buffaloes and more as they stroll into view.
Besides Chimpanzee tracking, nature walks can be perfect alternatives to busy your days reserved to explore this forest.
Kalinzu Wildlife Reserve
Kalinzu is one of Uganda’s famed Wildlife Reserves with all what to offer for nature and Wildlife enthusiasts. It sits in the Southern western part of Uganda and you can often stop over on your way to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
It’s rich both in flora and fauna, inadditon to over 414 tree species, the reserve is home to six different primates including chimpanzees, 378 bird species, 97 moths and 262 butterfly species.
Currently over 300 chimpanzee primate species inhabit the lush jungles of this reserve. Of the all total only 40 are habituated and approved for tracking experiences.
Nature walks add to the list of activities offered in this reserve. Usually a walk via trails that winds through jungles, valleys and rolling hills offers both nature encounters and spectacular views of Lake George, Kazinga channel and the Ruwenzori summits.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
One of the only two sanctuaries in Uganda, Ngamba island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is located in the central part of Uganda on an island that’s part of Koome group of Islands. It was mainly established to provide home for the uncared and rescued orphaned chimpanzees.
Ngamba Island is occupied by dense Jungles, Savannah grasslands and swampy areas that offer favorable habitats to the primates.
With its location on the waters of Lake Victoria, you can easily get there by a boat, which sets off from Entebbe – Nakiwogo landing site.
This sanctuary does not offer tracking experiences but travelers visit for several other pursuits such as chimpanzee feeding, care taking and volunteering through doing some vital work that supports the project.
The little money paid help in managing the sanctuary and paying staff that run the all day to day work at this protected area. This destination is as well reserved with some accommodation to cater for those who wish for night stays.