Chimpanzee trekking holidays in Uganda and Rwanda.
Trekking vacations for chimps in Uganda and Rwanda will lead you to the nearest human relatives in an animal world. To be let in, you need a chimpanzee trekking permission per person per day. To let visitors to a wild chimpanzee group visit, chimps must first become habituated.
Chimpanzee habituation is the process of familiarizing wild chimpanzees to human presence without changing their natural surroundings.
Chimpanzee trekking vacations take place in Kibale National park in Uganda. With about 1500 chimpanzees, this is the biggest habitat of habituated chimps in Africa. All operations in Kibale National Park are under the purview of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Uganda has excellent habitat fit for chimpanzees and other primates to flourish in their natural environment. Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Ngamba Chimpanzee refuge, Semuliki National Park, Kalinzu Forest and others comprise more of the chimpanzee habitats in Uganda.
Chimpanzees live famously at Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda. They also dwell in the Cyamudondo woodland, which is outside Nyungwe National Park.
Where in Uganda and Rwanda should one go chimps’ trekking?
Kibale National Park found in Uganda
Over 795 square kilometers of territory make up this tropical rain forest park. It is found westward in Uganda. The uneven terrain of Kibale National Park supports many ecosystems. It comprises wet tropical forest near Fort Portal plateau to dry tropical forest to woodland and savannah close to the rift valley.
With more than 13 monkey species, including the chimpanzees, Kibale National park has the largest concentration of primates in Africa. There are almost 1500 chimpanzees in this park. Every day in the morning (0800 hours) and afternoon (1500 hours) two Chimpanzee trekking excursions take place.
The frequent movement of the chimpanzees as they hunt for their daily food makes the timing of finding them unknown. The existing conditions in the forest will determine whether it takes two hours or longer.
Probabilities of seeing olive baboons, blue monkeys, L’hoest, pottos, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys.
Little greenbul, black-eared ground thrush, yellow spotted nicator, black bee eater, blue breasted kingfisher, crested eagel, Abyssinian ground thrush and others are only a few of the over 325 bird species keen birders may find.
There are six people per group on this trek so as not to overburden the forest and disturb the chimpanzees.
Kyambura Gorge In Uganda Eroded about 100 meters deep in the rift valley of Kyambura gorge cut by the Kyambura river running into Kazinga channel. To be allowed to go chimpanzee trekking in this area of Queen Elizabeth National Park, you must have a permit.
The briefing and base of this chimpanzee trekking trip is the Kyambura fig tree. Every day, two sessions run morning at 0800 hours and afternoon at 1400 hours.
The Kaniyo Pabidi Forest in Uganda
Primates including chimpanzees abound at Murchison Falls National park’s wooded portion. Kaniyo Pabid woodland supports many birds, other primates, including chimpanzees. About 8 miles separate this location from the National Park’s Kichumbanyombo gate.
Other primates include black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys and others could also be seen here.
The Kalinzu Forest Reserve in Uganda
Kalinzu Forest Reserve is outside Queen Elizabeth National Park. Chimps still under study and not yet completely settled live here. A few visitors are permitted to see these human relatives particularly during the busiest times when demand for chimpanzee treking is strong.
Ugandan Semuliki National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Both of these parks have wild but not domesticated chimpanzees. A few visitors ask to do chimpanzee treking in Semliki National Parks. Most of the visitors choose to see the Sempaya hot spring in Semuliki National Park and perform gorilla treking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary located in Uganda
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is in Lake Victoria amid the Koome Islands. There are rescued, abandoned, orphaned chimpanzees here that cannot be returned to their natural habitat.
View the chimpanzee from the feeding platform; when you get there at feeding time, you help feed the chimps as well. See the aldults take the largest portion of the dish and the chimpanzees battling to grab a lunch for the day.
The refuge seeks to educate guests, nearby towns, and the broader public on the value of protecting the chimpanzees and their delicate environments.
Former Entebbe Zoo Uganda Wildlife Education Center
A few chimpanzees call this center’s woodland region home. Here, the chimpanzees reside in an exhibit with surroundings reminiscent of the once-wilderness. Activities such chimpanzee up close, keeper for the day, caregiving, and so much more are yours to engage in.
Nyungwe National park In Rwanda
One well-known site for chimpanzee trekking vacations in Rwanda is Nyungwe National Park Two areas are inhabited by Uwinka and Cyamudondo, the chimpanzees. You have to get a chimpanzee trekking permission from Rwanda Development Board before doing trekking in Nyungwe National park. The briefing place before beginning this chimpanzee Trek is Gisaku receiving centre.
To list just a few additional primates, you may see silver monkeys, olive baboons, Angolan Colobus monkeys blue, Hamlyn’s monkey, Rwenzori colobus, grey checkered mangabey, red tailed monkeys, golden monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkey.
Booking Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris in Rwanda and Uganda
Either Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board must arrange a chimpanzee trekking permit for you.
Choose a day for your desired chimpanzee trekking and the number you want to reserve.
Our safari consultant investigates availability and gets back to you when you contact us. Every chimpanzee hiking permit is reserved using first come first served criteria.
You might schedule the chimpanzee trekking morning or afternoon session.
The Rwanda chimpanzee hiking permit now is $100 per person per trip.
Kibale National Park chimpanzee hiking permits in Uganda are $300 per person. The price of chimpanzee trekking permits varies depending on the location in various parts of Uganda.
When should one book Chimpanzee Trekking holidays in Uganda and Rwanda?
Trekking safaris for chimpanzees in Rwanda and Uganda is accessible all year. The dry days, when the earth is drier, are the most fascinating periods however. Even ordinarily, the chimpanzees eat closer to the ground at this time.
Usually there is great demand for chimpanzee trekking permits, hence you should book your permit ahead of time. Usually, the peak seasons are June through September and December through January.
Usually low seasons attract fewer visitors, so you may take advantage of this chance to experience less disturbance from other hikers. Typical low seasons for chimpanzee trekking are between March and May or November.
Usually, this is a rainy season as well; chimpanzees eat from up the trees as they are terrified of damp surroundings. The frigid surroundings also contribute to their reduced activity.
How Much Does Chimpanzee Trekking Holiday Cost in Uganda and Rwanda?
The chimpanzee trekking permit each site you want to visit determines the universal cost of chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. Nowadays, the cost of a chimpanzee hiking permit in Rwanda is 100 per person.
Apart from other elements, the overall cost of the chimpanzee trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda is determined by The days you want to go chimpanzee trekking, the number of people you are traveling with, the kind of package you selected—luxury, middle-class, budget, or others?
You have to know where you want to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda to prevent retracing particularly for first-time DIY (Do It Yourself) visitors.
The difficulty of chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Usually, chimpanzee treking in Uganda takes place on relatively flat land. You may move in Kyambura Gorge even if you have to climb its slopes. You have to dress in attires including shoes, safari gear in wilderness suitable hues and so much more.
Kibale national park and Kaniyo Pabidi have usually more flat landscape with less vegetation. Given that chimpanzees are mobile creatures, finding them calls for much patience.
They should look for their own food; so, you should anticipate some time before finding them. Get ready to leap over large buttress paths; this tropical rainforest region has several naturally occurring big trees.
Though the landscape of Nyungwe National Park is primarily upland, you may still find the chimpanzees. Since Rwanda is mostly a region of hills, walking over the forest calls for some degree of fitness. Still, the trek is not really difficult.
You simply have one hour to visit them, and you also snap pictures. Especially in the rainy season, carry a pair of binoculars to provide better chimpanzee view.
Given their about 98% human DNA, chimps have human like features. Sometimes, particularly those not used to human presence, they become protective. This is among the reasons you should show up for the briefing.
The briefing point in Kibale National Park is Sebitoli from the Kanyanchu tourist facility. In Kyambura Gorge, among others, is at Kyambura fig tree camp
Trekking in Nyugwe National Park information for chimpanzees comes from Uwinka, the park headquarters. To fully enjoy the whole chimpanzee trekking experience, you must bear in mind all the guidelines set for this activity.
What should one carry for a Chimpanzee Trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda?
For chimpanzee trekking, packing light and relevantly allows you to savor your trip and preserve memories of this amazing contact with the large primates of Africa.
Since the wooded regions grow chilly at night, pajamas are what one should wear.
Since your feet must be shielded from harsh circumstances, safari boots are safe for crossing the bush.
A pair of binoculars captures the vision of the chimpanzees, birds, tree tops, and so much more that the forest is glad to show.
Given that your skin is sensitive to stinging insects buzzing in the forest, insect repellants
Toiletries only must be arranged should your lodge not have
Garden gloves as you may slip and fall unintentionally yet your hands are delicate to strong and rough creepers in the outdoors.
Toiletries only must be arranged should your lodge not provide
They don’t disperse in the wild; a light water resistant bag helps you to gather all your belongings.
Safari hat with broad brim to guard your hair from dripping water from tree branches.
Ponch or raincoat to cover you in the bush should it rain.
a camera to capture pictures and save memories of your Nyungwe National park honeymoon adventure.
You are not scared of getting filthy, hence long sleeved shirts and trousers in wilderness friendly hues like brown or Khaki will be pleasant for you to wear. For political reasons, camouflage is off-limits.
Foldable water bottle to carry when in the woods to hold water for quenchiness of thirst.
Energy nibbles that fit your hunger will enable you to keep on.
In case your electrical devices run low, travel adapter and charger should be used for recharging.
Rules on Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
There is no cluttering the forest as the primates eat from it.
If you have a communicative illness, kindly remain behind as human infections such COVID-19, flu, cholera, and others are prone to be passed on.
The chimpanzees feel assaulted hence never surround them.
Never eat immediately before the chimpanzees as, although wild creatures that have to eat themselves, they might grab what you are eating.
To maintain the forest clean and to prevent passing illnesses to the chimpanzees, never spit on plants.
Chimpanzee trekking is not permitted anybody less than fifteen years old.
Get in touch for more information and review our travel adviser.
