15 Frequently Asked Questions About Chimpanzee Trekking In Uganda and Rwanda.

Chimpanzee Trekking In Uganda and Rwanda

Following habituated chimpanzees in the wild to observe their behavior, social life, and entertainment value is what chimpanzee trekking entails.

To be allowed to participate in this excitement, you must have a chimpanzee trekking permit either in Uganda or Rwanda.

Uganda chimpanzee trekking begins in the afternoon at bout 0830 and 1400 hours. Anyone interested in chimpanzee trekking should definitely attend the briefing, as restrictions and Rules of the Trekking are thoroughly outlined there.

Where in Uganda might one go for chimpanzee trekking?

Kibale Forest National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi woodland in Murchison Falls National Park, Kalinzu, and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary are some of the destinations for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.

There are most habituated chimpanzees allowed for tourist trekking in Uganda’s Kibale National Park. Also, the largest habituated chimpanzee refuge park in the whole of Africa is here.

Where in Rwanda might one go chimpanzee trekking?

For Rwanda, Nyungwe National Park is the chimpanzee trekking site. Between the River Congo to the west and the Nile basin to the east, this park is located in Southwestern Rwanda. Nyungwe National Park acquired National Park Status in 2005.

Though they are still under habituation, the Chimpanzees at Nyungwe National Park are really appealing to watch.

Booking Chimpanzee Trekking Permits in Rwanda or Uganda

The Uganda Wildlife Authority offers and markets chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda. Getting through to the Uganda Wildlife Authority reserve office is somewhat difficult, given the packed phone call wait. On behalf of our customers, at Katland Safaris, we verify availability and reserve chimpanzee permits. Sales of Chimpanzee hiking permits in Rwanda are made by the Rwanda Development Authority. Another tight phone line belongs to the Rwanda Development Authority. You also have to be somewhat patient to go through.

How much is a chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda and Rwanda?

The chimpanzee trekking permit for Uganda’s Kibale National Park is now $300, $130 in Kalinzu, $80 in Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, and $50 in Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Only 64 chimpanzee licenses are issued in Rwanda; the cost of a chimpanzee license in Rwanda is $100 per person per day.

Which lodging in Kibale National Park would be best for a Chimpanzee Trekking Uganda?

Kyaninga Lodge

Primates Lodge

Kibale Safari Lodge

Ndali Lodge,

When tracking Chimpanzees in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Accommodation include 

Mweya Safari Lodge

Bush Lodge

Jacana Lodge

Ishasha Tented Camp

When tracking Chimpanzees in Murchison Falls National Park, Accommodation include 

Nile Safari Lodge

Paraa Safari Lodge

Murchison River Lodge

Red Chillis Camp

Rwanda’s accommodations in Nyungwe Park

Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Gisaku Guest House

Nyungwe Forest Lodge

Nyungwe House

Gisaku Family Hostel.

The difficulty of chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Trekking chimpanzees in Kibale National Park or Kaniyo Pabidi in Murchison Falls National Park, the landscape is quite manageable, and little effort is needed to reach the chimpanzees. Some degree of fitness might be required to resist the protracted search, and when you find the chimpanzee,s you need to stay on your feet since they are mobile.

Because of the mountainous terrain of Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, one must be somewhat physically fit. Also carry appropriate tools for chimpanzee trekking.

Getting To Chimpanzee Trekking Parks In Uganda

The Kibale National Park

From Kampala city or Entebbe Airport, two paths go to Kibale National Park for the chimpanzee habitat.

Over Road

from Kampala via Mubende to Fortportal

After around three hundred kilometers of Tarmac road via Fort Portal City, continue crossing the murram road to Sebitori Forest Camp via the northern route drive.

From Kampala to Mbarara to Kamwenge

The southern path toward Kanyanchu is this one.

by Air

Every day, domestic flights leave Kajjansi Airstrip from Entebbe Airport to Kasese Airport. From the airport, you must arrange a transport vehicle to Kibale National Park.

Requesting a charter flight allows one to make plans. Booking for chimpanzee habituation has to be done before the trip.

Getting To Kyambura Gorge Within Queen Elizabeth National Park

On the southeast banks of the Kazinga Channel section of Queen Elizabeth National Park lies the gorge. Comprising 100 meters along the Kyambura River across the Rift Valley floor, the Kyambura Gorge

Getting to Kaniyo Pabid in Murchison Falls National Park

Kaniyo Pabidi Forest is reached 8km from the Kichumbanyobo gate of Murchison Falls National Park.

How can one reach Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda for a Chimpanzee trek?

It takes five hours from Kigali Airport to Nyungwe National Park. Along with so much more, you may stop along the way to the National Museum.

Rwanda Airlines runs pre-booked charter domestic flights via air.

The Age Limit For Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda and Uganda

The age restriction for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda or Uganda is fifteen years. This is so because the geography in the parks is less hilly than in the Gorilla Trekking Park, and youngsters at this age can survive the tropical forest conditions.

What Should One Pack For Trekking Among Chimpanzees in Rwanda and Uganda?

Should the chimpanzees be lurking in the jungle or up in the trees, a pair of binoculars will enable you to see them more clearly.

a flashless camera used for picture capture upon researcher’s instructions.

To wear when in the outdoors, long-sleeved shirts and pants in wilderness-friendly hues like Khaki. They shield your skin from the hostile wilderness environment.

Insect repellent drives stinging insects off your body.

To prevent dripping water from the leaves from damaging your hair, use a cap or big brim hat.

An additional fully charged camera battery to run low on alternately.

A lamp to use at your resort when the lights go out at night

Just in case your lodge doesn’t have them, toiletries.

Note every action the chimps engage in while tracking researchers in a notebook or diary and pen.

A water container to hold the drinking water in the wilderness

Since credit cards are not used in the countryside, some hard cash should be on hand should you need to make any household purchases.

The rules for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Before the day of chimpanzee habituation, one must be totally immunised against Covid-19 or any other infectious disease. One needs a certificate to prove this.

Though it is the only food source for the chimpanzees, do not trash the forest with any wrapping, as they change the environment of the forest.

Eat away from the chimpanzees; they could be compelled to take it from you. Apart from that, they are wild creatures meant to hunt their own food.

Ask your ranger guide to dig a hole around thirty meters deep and bury it far beyond recognition should you choose to defecate. This is to maintain appropriate forest cleanliness and stop chimpanzees from being fascinated by buried objects.

The chimpanzees may charge exactly as people do; never provoke them.

Young children under fifteen are not permitted to engage in chimpanzee habituation.

Once you find the chimps, attempt to maintain a space of around 8 meters between you for better viewing and also to lower their risk of passing any dangerous virus to them.

Since they are more acquainted with the forest and better know the behavior of these chimpanzees, they do not enter the forest for habituation without a ranger’s guidance.

For what length is chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda or Uganda?

Whether hiking chimpanzees in Uganda or Rwanda, the precise timing of finding them is unpredictable, depending on the state of the forest. Two hours or more are thought to be involved. This depends on the state of the forests.

Food clos proximity for the chimps

Should a conflict arise between the habituated population and a wild chimpanzee troop, they flee far into the jungle.

Should a community member pass away, chimpanzees grieve much like people do. They are not in the mood for invaders and are calmer.

How Dangerous Are the Chimpanzees from Rwanda and Uganda?

Because they have been habituated for a very long period, chimps in Uganda and Rwanda are now used to human presence and do not fear being hostile without cause.

Like humans, chimpanzees react quickly when provoked; so, during a chimpanzee briefing, you are encouraged not to annoy them. When something goes against their conduct, they love to hoot loudly.

Chimpanzees can eat monkeys even if they are vegetarians or in extremely severe hunger scenarios.

An armed ranger guide drives you into the forest to guard you from any potential animal assaults before you set out for it. This is one of the reasons one of the guidelines of chimpanzee trekking forbids entering the jungle without a ranger guide. When you meet the chimpanzees, never feed them so that a clear line separates people from chimpanzees.

Please email your tour adviser at Katland Safaris for any details on chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.