Chimpanzee trekking age limit in Uganda and Rwanda.
Being an experience in the woods, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda requires you to be above 15 years of age. When it comes to chimpanzee trekking, conservation of the chimpanzees comes first, hence all the required guidelines controlling this expedition have to be observed.
Whether in Uganda or Rwanda, you must get a chimpanzee trekking permit to be let to visit this primates safari. Among the most threatened primates worldwide are chimps, hence preserving them in their natural habitats comes first among other objectives than in captivity.
Definitions of chimpanzee trekking safari initially helps one to grasp this activity.
What is chimpanzee Trekking?
Only one hour is permitted in human company while you accompany a completely acclimated chimpanzee group in an adventure sport known as chimpsky trekking most
Describe the chimpanzee habituation safari.
A Chimpanzee Habituation Safari is an excursion wherein you accompany semi-habituated chimpanzees in the wild to get acquainted with human presence without changing their character. A maximum of 4 visitors each session join a group of trackers and researchers during this excursion to spend 4 hours in their company following a chimpanzee colony.
Where in Uganda and Rwanda would one go for chimpanzee trekking?
Uganda
Kibale National Park
The biggest chimpanzee hiking habitat in Uganda is Kibale national park. Right now the park houses around 1500 chimpanzees. Daily two sessions of chimpanzee trekking take place in the morning and afternoon.
To be allowed to join, you have to get a chimpanzee trekking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
For international nonresidents, kibale national park chimpanzee licenses cost $300 per person per trip; for foreign residents, they cost $250. East African citizens pay 150000shs.
Among the 13 additional primates found in Kibale National Park are black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, and chimpanzees. Among others are grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, L’hoest’s, pottos, bush infants, olive baboons.
Kibale has several bird species, including Albertine endemics, for enthusiastic birders. Although ornithologists estimate the number of over 335 bird species now known to be inhabiting Kibale National Park is continually growing.
Kyambura Gorge within Queen Elizabeth National Park
Along the slopes the Kyambura River forms over the rift valley floor, Kyambura Gorge is a wooded ecosystem. Here is a completely habituated chimpanzee colony. Since this location includes slopes twisted by erosion from the river, it would be great if you were somewhat physically fit. You require boots as the walk to Kyambura Gorge is slick during the heavy wet season.
Kaniyo Pabidi in National Park Murchison Falls
Eight kilometers from Kichumbanyombo gate, Kaniyo Pabidi woodland consists of some of Uganda’s last fully mature mahogany trees. Sadly, you have to get a chimpanzee trekking permission if you want to have an opportunity to do so in this area.
Blue monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus are among the other primates inhabiting this woodland.
Ngamba Chimpanzees Sanctuary
Koome Island is the site of Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary.
Chimpanzees unable to be returned to their habitats find refuge in Lake Victoria. Chimpanzees rescued from snares, abandoned, orphaned, and community-less captivity call this Island in Lake Victoria home. Right now, more than fifty chimpanzees call home this refuge.
This haven was designed to educate guests, the nearby population, and the broader public about this amazing species and the need of preserving their delicate habitat.
Two sessions per day allow guests to see the chimpanzees from the Visitor Platform. Arranging before feeding time will allow you to participate in chimpanzee feeding.
Project management of Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary are the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT).
Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWCEC)
This is the old Entebbe Zoo, and on a guided or self-directed tour you may see chimpanzees housed in the exhibit in a surroundings like those of the bush. This is a tiny group of chimpanzees; you may participate in keeping for the day by closely approaching these chimpanzees.
Reserve for Kalinzu Forest
At the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park is Kalinzu woodland reserve. Although this forest reserve uses the chimpanzees for study, they might be released to visitors during the high season.
Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda
The only place for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is Nyungwe National Park. Seeing these chimpanzees would be great if you have a chimpanzee trekking permission from the Rwanda Development Board. On the margins of Nyungwe National Park, Cyamudongo has another chimpanzee group.
Uwinka is the headquarters for chimpanzee treking in Nyungwe National Park. Two daily, early morning and afternoon chimpanzee trekking sessions take place in this park.
Other primates such Angola Colobus, Hamlyn’s monkey, Dent’s Mona Monkey, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Olive Baboons,, and Others may be seen while chimpanzee treking.
To appreciate the lovely canopy of Nyungwe national park from a vantage point, go on a canopy walk over it. Starting from Uwinka, this walk follows the Igishigishigi route.
For what duration is Chimpanzee Trekking?
Giant ancient trees cover somewhat flat ground in the chimpanzee hiking sites in Uganda and Rwanda. Sometimes the search for the chimpanzees throughout the journey may take two hours or more. Finding the chimpanzees calls for some patience given the prevailing conditions in the forest:
Should food be scarce in the forest, the society must find fresh sources; therefore, the path around for the chimpanzees may take time.
Should a conflict arise among the chimpanzees, some may be compelled to migrate; should the community assigned to you be the victim, they may wander into the deeper reaches of the jungle.
Trekkers find it difficult to navigate in the forest during the severe rainy seasons as the trails are wet and slipper. Even the chimpanzees prefer to hide in the tree branches and are less active in the rainy season. To obtain a better view of the chimpanzees, it would therefore be advisable to have a pair of binoculars at times.
Why Is The Age Limit For Chimpanzee Trekking Above Fifteen Years?
Only those above 15 years old are permitted to go chimpanzee trekking since:
The essence of the forest
Trekking with chimps is an exciting sport in which one walks into the jungle. Children 15 years of age and under, however, may not be able to survive in the harsh environment of the woods with unpleasant plants like stinging nettles.
There is no noise during the Chimpanzee Trekking.
Unfamiliar noise in their surroundings disturbs chimpanzees, although it’s quite difficult to talk in a low tone or quiet for a youngster 15 years or less.
Time of Search for the Chimpanzees
Since the chimpanzees roam freely in the bush, their exact location time is still under debate. Children of this age may not be able to tolerate, hence it would be advisable to teach tolerance and patience.
Playfulness in the chimpanzee nature
Though they might be provocative at times, chimps need preparation to avoid being scared by their overtures. The chimpanzees cannot not go over and touch you, hence you must maintain a distance of out 8 meters from them. A youngster fifteen years of age or less will easily respond in a way that might aggravate the chimpanzees.
A chimpsky trekking permit for Uganda or Rwanda costs what?
The charging of Uganda’s chimpanzee hiking permits depends on habitat management and location.
For international nonresidents, the Kibale National Park chimpanzee trekking permit is $300 per person; for foreign residents, it costs $250 per person; and for East African residents, it runs 150000shs.
For Queen Elizabeth national park, Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee trekking tickets are $50 per person, 30000shs East African locals.
For Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda chimpanzee hiking permits are $100 each.
The chimpanzee hiking permit includes and does not include what?
Park expenses include a Kibale chimp permit, security, one hour with the chimps, and ranger guide price.
The chimpanzee permit fee leaves out the following:
Transportation, dining, lodging, and any other personal item including tips.
Of Uganda and Rwanda, which is the best country for the Chimpanzee Trekking safari?
With about 98% human DNA, chimpanzee trekking transports you to the habitat of the closest human cousins, so prepare to find some human parallels. One notes that the greatest nation for chimpanzee hiking differs depending on:
There are just one chimpanzee destination in Rwanda and around five chimpanzee trekking sites where Uganda resides.
While the Rwanda chimpanzee permit is $100 per person per trip, the cost of a Uganda chimpanzee permit depends on the location.
When should one book a chimps’ trekking permit for Uganda and Rwanda?
Trekking in chimpanzees generally like the dry season. Usually they are June, July, August, September, December, and January. This is so because even other forest inhabitants are active and the chimpanzees eat closer to the ground during the dry season.
The chimpanzee trekking safari is expensive as this season experiences significant tourist as well.
The low season—March to May or November at times—attracts lower rates for someone with a restricted safari budget. You could have restricted pricing high-end services.
If you want solely time with the chimpanzees, it is simpler to have this in the low season as usually there are less chimpanzee trekkers.
Is trekking in Chimpanzees safe?
Trekking among chimps in Uganda and Rwanda is secure as the rangers are very eager to preserve these animals and their habitats. Furthermore in place to help to maintain peace and order in the vicinity of the national parks are various security services.
The dos and donuts of Chimpanzee Trekking Safari?
Should you develop a communicative illness such as flu, COVID-19, or cough, offer to remain behind to prevent passing a disease to the chimpanzees. They are very easily infected by humans.
Once you find the chimpanzees, surrounding them might upset them and drive them into hiding.
As this is nourishment for the chimps and forest residents, spitting on ground and flora is banned. You could also make them contaminated with bacteria.
It is illegal to provoke the chimpanzees as this would excite them and drive them into hiding. You have only one hour allotted in their presence.
Keep your voice quiet when a chimpanzee is traveling to avoid confusing them.
When you find the chimpanzees, keep eight meters apart from each other to avoid giving them any opportunity to spread diseases to the very sensitive chimps.
Flash photography is discouraged as it might frighten the chimpanzees who are cognizant of events in their surroundings.
When in front of the chimpanzees, wear a fresh mask to stop any nearby bacteria from spreading.
At least 300 meters from the chimpanzees, cough or sneeze if you like.
Plastic wrapping or any other indecomposable object should not be littering the forest as it changes the environment where the chimpanzees eat from.
Once you find the chimpanzees, you spend an hour with them following all the advice provided during the briefing and under the ranger guides.
Only those above 15 years old are permitted to go chimpanzee trekking as they can survive in the wilderness.
If you desire to have a lengthy call and cover much beyond recognition, ask the ranger guide to dig a hole at least thirty meters deep.
What should one pack for the Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Rwanda and Uganda?
Binoculars in pairs
Safari starts boots.
Safari folding helmet
Insect repulsion agent
One torch
backpack
Garden gloves:
Safari Clothing
Some stockings to hang in your wardrobe.
Given this is a somewhat chilly region, a sweater or warmers
bag for Duffel
Some real money
First aid equipment
Flip slippers
