Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest National Park

Uganda is home to over 5,000 chimpanzees in protected and unprotected areas. Trekking chimps is an incredible wildlife experience. Uganda has five key trekking destinations for chimps that include Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kyambura gorge), Kibale Forest National Park, Murchison falls national park, Kalinzu forest and Semliki Wildlife reserve.

Chimpanzee trekking allows you to step into their world in the wild. This activity is a must for all those visiting Uganda for the first time. Chimpanzee trekking is done in small groups of about 8 people led by Uganda Wildlife rangers for about three hours inclusive one hour with the chimpanzees, where you view them from a safe distance of about 8-10 meters.

The best time to trek chimpanzees is the peak tourist dry season of June to September and December to February when it‟s easier. Rain is still possible during the dry season because of Uganda‟s tropical climate. During the peak season accommodation prices are high whereas during the dry season the prices are reduced hence if you are ok with difficult trekking then rainy season is the best for you. The chimpanzee permits are also cheaper and secured easily during the rainy season because of lower demand.

During the rainy season, the trails will be more slippery, and the forest will be dense as a result it increases the difficulty of the trek.

Chimpanzee Trekking In Kibale in Kibale Forest

Uganda has about 5000 chimpanzees and Kibale is resident to 1500. It has high chimpanzee populace and sightings. Kibale Forest National Park is habitat to five habituated groups of chimpanzees, which have become subsequently used to human interaction. The trail begins at the Kanyanchu Visitors‟ Centre at 8am, 11am and 2pm. The best time to track is early in the morning, when the chimpanzees are most active thought no guarantees as they are wild animals.

The trekking in the morning is busier than the one in the afternoon. The forest also has chimpanzee habituation experience too which is a full or half day done activity that allows visitors to be escorted by the researchers and primatologists into the forest. A ranger from the Uganda Wildlife Authority briefs the group gives details of what to expect for the chimpanzee conduct.

Tracking groups are then split into six to seven people including the ranger. The ranger leads the group to a section of the dense forest with tangled trees where the chimpanzees were last spotted.

Chimpanzees spend most of the day in smaller groups of eight to 15. At most times, they are up in the trees, eating figs and young leaves, sleeping and grooming each other mischievously.

Once a group is found, tourists have an hour to watch them and at times the chimpanzees will come down to the forest floor for an exceptional experience. It’s a memorable moment of seeing something wild but familiar as they share up to 98 percent of their DNA with humans.

Trekking permits are required and are booked via Uganda wildlife authority or a trusted tour operator. Book the permits 3 months in advance. For tourists planning a trip on their own, proof of travel dates are required to obtain a permit, as they cannot be adjusted once booked. The permits cost US$150 in the high season, but drops to US$100 in low season (April, May and November).

The habituation experience costs US$220 where guests can track, observe and record a group’s behavior over a two-day period. Tracking chimpanzees is random; you can walk for 20 minutes or three hours before the ranger locates a group. Luckily, the trails in Kibale Forest National Park are largely flat and not to tough though uneven with overgrown trees and plants. The terrain can be slippery too due to the rain. Carry some nice hiking boots as a must.

Chimpanzees live in a dense rainforest environment, so while it might be shining at the start, a heavy downpour cannot be written off. Therefore a raincoat, long trousers and sleeves are very advisable to have. Since the paths are cut with machetes to create way, this often leaves sharp edges thus tourists should expect to come up against thorns, sting plants and insects during the walk.

Binoculars are a plus to carry. As well snacks and bottle mineral water to re-energize ought to be carried. Bring a camera if you can for memorable pictures.

In favor of good weather, June to July and December to February are the best times to visit. The trails are drier and easier to navigate. These are the peak travel times. April to May and September to November are the wet rainy months though quieter and cheaper. Rain makes hiking hard and it reduces visibility in the forest.

Kibale forest National Park is approximately 300KM from Kampala the capital and needs about six hours drive. From Fortportal town the park is 30Km away. After tracking chimpanzees, tourist can visit the nearby crater lakes. Transport can be arranged with a reliable tour operator. There a number of accommodation places in Kibaale one can stay at.

Ground Rules

• 1. Guide is the only one to help you get access to the forest. Never touch the animals.
• 2. Keep a safe distance of about 7 to 8 meters between you and the chimpanzees. Eating near the chimpanzees is forbidden.
• 3. Don’t provoke the primates by mimicking their calls and noises.
• 4. A traveller with diseases such as flue, diarrhea is not allowed in the park. Children below the age of 12 are not allowed from entering the park.
• 5. Flash photography is not allowed to be used in the park.

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience

The habituation experience entails being with a group of chimpanzees in the forest for a half or full day to learn how they live. Habituation is the training of chimpanzee primates to get used to humans being around them and preparing them to be tracked. Tourists track recent activity of the chimpanzees, where they built their nests the night before. During this excursion, tourists are given about six hours’ time to spend with the primates.

This is a hands-on experience where you learn from researchers and chimpanzees as you watch them. You will be in the company of a Uganda Wildlife Authority Guide who will be pointing out the chimpanzees being habituated and other inhabitants in the forest like mammals, birds and butterflies.

The habituation of chimpanzees has its permits which cost about 250USD for non-foreign residents 200USD for foreign residents and 70USD for East African residents. The difference in habituation experience and chimpanzee trekking is how long you spend with the chimpanzees. Trekking takes about 1 hour whereas habituation takes about 6 hours. Tourists get to learn to identify chimpanzees by scars, markings and other unique features. The habituation takes about 3 years before they can be opened for trekking.

The habituation of Chimpanzees means having an early breakfast, pack some snacks and some bottled water with you. Get your camera set for some quality chimpanzee pictures. Other items to carry include waterproof hiking boots, Long-sleeved shirt, Long trousers, a hat, rainy jacket and a binocular.

Tourists visiting chimpanzees for habituation must be 12years old and above.

Tourists can choose to go for a chimpanzee habituation experience in either Kibale Forest or Budongo forest in a group of 6-8 people maximum (4-6tourists, guide, an UWA ranger). However, we recommend you to go to Kibale forest for a vital chimpanzee habituation experience.

Chimpanzee habituation also takes place at Ngamba Island, a chimpanzee sanctuary. The best months for habituation are March, April, May and November when there is less congestion of tourists.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kalinzu

Kalinzu forest is one of the natural forest reserves located in south western region of Uganda in Bushenyi district, close to Queen Elizabeth national park as well as Maramagambo forest. Kalinzu forest is a home to about 414 tree species, 378 bird species; it is a habitat to about 6 primate mammals and is a top place to spot butterflies, wild flowers, reptiles among wildlife animals. Some animals like elephants, lions, forest hogs, leopards, baboons, warthogs and water bucks come from Queen Elizabeth National Park and camouflage in the forest vegetation.

There are around 290 chimpanzees and over 70 of these are habituated at Kalinzu. As mentioned, the minimum age you can trek with the chimpanzees here is 12 years old and above. The permit cost is also considerably cheaper as it is owned by a different management. The cost is about $50 per person. The disadvantage at Kalinzu Forest is that there is no good accommodation thus tourists have to head back to Queen Elizabeth to relax.

Chimpanzee trekking excursion at Kalinzu forest is done into two phases, the morning phase which starts at 8 am and the afternoon phase that starts at 3 pm. The trekking excursion starts with briefing at Uganda Wildilfe Authority headquarters in the park where you are told the safety measures, dos and don’ts, as well as the expectations when trekking in the forest. Trekkers are grouped according to physical fitness level and each group is allocated a park ranger guide to take the group through the forest for the chimpanzee trekking experience. Chimpanzee trekking permits are booked at the park headquarters or through a tour company.

Bird watching is done both in the morning hours and evening hours where you will have an insight to experience the different calling of different bird species, such as white and black casket, sunbirds, the great blue turaco, cuckoo birds along with others. The best time to visit Kalinzu forest is during the peak dry season when there is little rain expected in the forest and the trails are dry and not slippery. The dry season in Kalinzu is during the months of December to February, June to October.

Kalinzu forest can be accessed by road transport from Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara, Bushenyi then to Kalinzu, it takes about 6-7 hours‟ drive including stop over points. Since the forest is near the park, tourists on a safari to Queen Elizabeth national park can access to Kalinzu forest in a 45 minutes‟ drive connecting from Mweya peninsular.

Rules Chimpanzee Trekking in Kalinzu Forest

Kalinzu Central Forest reserve is managed by the Forestry Authority in Uganda. There are rules that visitors are required to know and follow before and during the chimpanzee tracking activity. These rules are intended for the safety of visitors and forest animals in mind. For example:-

• 1. One must be 12 years and above to track chimpanzees.
• 2. Visitors are only allowed one hour with the chimps to limit the spread of diseases and avoid getting them agitated or alerted.
• 3. Six people are can track a particular chimpanzee community per session to avoid overcrowding and annoying the chimpanzees.
• 4. Keep your voice low. Keep a distance of at least 8 meters away from the chimpanzees.
• 5. Do not wonder away from your group or the main trail. Always have company even when going for a short call.
• 6. Don’t try to provoke the chimpanzees.
• 7. Do not eat food while close to the chimpanzees and keep your voice low.
• 8. Visitors with flue, cough, diarrhea or any other transmittable diseases are not allowed to go near the chimpanzees to avoid risk of exposure.
• 9. Visitors are not allowed to track chimpanzees on their own and without an authorized ranger guide. This is because chimpanzees can get aggressive when they spot unfamiliar faces. At all times follow instructions from the Guides and do not come to close to chimpanzees. They are more aggressive than gorillas and though relatively small are more powerful than most humans.
• 10. Do not litter the forest while tracking the chimpanzees.
• 11. Chimpanzees spend a lot of time on top of trees and a good binocular will enrich your experience.
• 12. Using flash cameras is prohibited as it could alert the chimpanzees.
• 13. Be prepared with good hiking boots, long stockings, a hat, long trousers and shirts.
• 14. Move with a hiking stick and rain jacket especially during the rainy season.

Guided Forest Walks

• The Palm Trailis a 5 km circular trail and it takes about 2 hours on an overly relative flat terrain. Guests discover some intriguing forest trees along this trail including the rare Fame tree. The tree has large, red, tulip-like flames which supposedly activates sexual desire in women. The Raphia Palms, which are used for making local mats, and the somewhat spectacular Dragon tree.
• The River Trailis a short 2½ km circular trail takes just about an hour. The primary aspect along this walk is the River Kajojo or elephant river because elephants used to bathe here. The trail goes past some fine specimens of Parinari excelsa, the climax tree in the Forest, and a colossal strangler figure. Visitors will see some primates along this trail, including Chimpanzees.
• The Valley Trailis a 3½ km circular trail that takes about 2 hours and offers spectacular views over the valley. Visitors will trek along a ridge and past several exciting forest features. A forest most sought is the Mutragyne rubrostipuleta or Viagra tree.
• The Forest Trails:There are four forest trails that you can hike. A modest level of fitness is recommended since it has a hilly terrain. The trails distances end to end vary.
• The Waterfall Trailis a 11 km loop trail taking that takes 4 and 5 hours over some hilly and, in parts, wet terrain. This trail leads to a magnificent waterfall called “kilyantama” locally known as “the sheep eater”. Visitors will discover the tree that “baboons cannot climb”. and bark-cloth figs which are used in the craft industry to make beautifully decorated table cloths, curtains, handbags, and ceremonial clothes.

Chimpanzee Tracking In Budongo Forest Located In Murchison Falls.

The forest is located on the south-east part of Murchison Falls National Park and takes about 1 and half hours to get there via the Kichimbanyobo gate. Budongo Forest has two sites developed for tourism activities – Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro Eco Tourism Sites. Kaniyo Pabidi is located along the southern edge of Murchison Falls National Park and is where jungle activities such as chimpanzee trekking take place in Murchison Falls.

Budongo forest an outstanding destination for chimpanzee tracking is located 237Km from Kampala and it takes about a 4 hours drive to get there.

Chimpanzee trekking and habituation here is offered by a private organization called the Jane Goodall Institute for research. The guides are interpretive guides that tell the story of chimpanzees and the forest. Tourist should be 15 years and above to trek. Habituation of chimpanzees here which was started in 1992 is offered during low seasons when there is less congestion in the forest.

Chimpanzee habituation rids the primates if fear of humans. Because of poaching, fear arose in chimpanzees as people hunted them in the past for bush meat sold on the black market. Chimpanzees can be caught hanging around Budongo-eco lodge

Tracking permits are booked through the National Forest Authority. Budongo has a fully day habituation experience with the chimpanzees.

Tours and activities in Budongo Forest

• • Chimpanzee tracking at Kaniyo Pabidi.
• • Guided nature walks are offered at Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro eco sites via an excellent network of trails and provide plenty of things including a variety of trees and shrubs, unique wildlife such as the monkeys, Cicada, chimpanzees, and birds.
• • Birding with where key birds include Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Nahan‟s Francolin, Black- winged Pranticole, Brown Twinspot, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Black-eared Groundthrush, Ituri Batis, Pygmy Crake, White-thighed Hornbill, Cassin‟s Hawk Eagle, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Dwarf and Kingfisher among others.

Chimpanzee Tracking In Kyambura

Kyambura Gorge is at the far east of the Queen Elizabeth National Park and is nicknamed “the valley of the apes”. It’s the third most known destination for Chimpanzee trekking. The gorge has dense forests that cover it. About 17 chimpanzees inhabit the gorge and there is a 65% chance of seeing them. Kyambura Gorge can be added-on existing safari at Queen Elizabeth.

Apart from chimpanzee tracking, other wildlife, birds and primates like white-black-red tailed Colobus monkeys, olive baboon among others can be seen here. Tracking permits are booked via Uganda wildlife authority.

How Chimpanzees behave

• • They can cram nuts from tree roots and use stones to break them.
• • They chew leaves
• • They stay in groups of 30-70 primates male and female.
• • They dip leaves in water and suck the moisture.
• • They use twigs as tools to dip into termite hole.
• • They are swift climbers and set up nests high on trees and rest during day time and build nests at night.
• • Female chimpanzees give birth every 4-5 years.
• • Feed on fruits at sunrise. Can eat goats and young antelopes.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Ngamba Islands

Bordered by the peaceful waters of Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is home to 52 orphaned and rescued chimpanzees ranging in age from 4months to 36 years old. Chimpanzees in captivity can live up to 60 years. Ngamba Island is part of the Koome group of islands located in Lake Victoria (which also includes Koome, Bulago, Kiimi, Nsazi, and Damba Islands).

Ngamba Island is approximately 23 km south-east of Entebbe, which lies on the mainland at 0.06’S, 32.39’E. It consists of just about 100 acres, of which 95 acres is forested and separated from the human camp by an electric fence. The northern part of the island is generally flat, rising gently to an altitude of approximately 3800 feet above sea level to the south. The island is largely forested with gaps of grassland covering approximately 10% of the island. It was founded in 1998.

A trail system was cut just preceding to the chimpanzees‟ arrival in October 1998. Trails span from east to west and north to south creating 50 x 50m blocks. Ngamba Island provides an outstanding secondary forest habitat for the chimpanzees and other wildlife species including fruit bats, spiders, fish eagles, otters, and monitor lizards

An NGO, Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (Chimpanzee Trust), is responsible for all aspects of the sanctuary and works closely with Ugandan government and wildlife authorities. Despite their initial trauma, chimpanzees living at Ngamba have a safe and semi-natural environment in which to recover and eventually thrive over their long lives of up to 60 years. They are intelligent, highly social animals with individual personalities just like humans.

Their diet is supplemented multiple times per day much to the delight of visiting tourists who are able to observe the feeding from a viewing platform. The chimpanzees also have the freedom to stay in the forest at night or return to nighttime enclosures where they can build nests and receive an evening meal.

The goals of the sanctuary are to:

• • Provide a safe home for rescued chimpanzees while also caring for the environment & other wildlife on the island
• • Provide a high-quality educational experience for visitors
• • Benefit local communities.

Volunteering At the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary

There is a volunteer program that runs for 4 weeks divided into two parts aimed at primate lovers and those who are interested in learning more about chimpanzees. The first part of the program, involves participants actively in the daily activities in the Chimpanzee Sanctuary including preparing chimpanzee food, feeding them, data collection/entry, cleaning chimpanzee housing facilities, taking part in medical treatments and learning about general wildlife conservation.

By the end of the programme, volunteers will have an in-depth understanding of chimpanzees and what is required to take care of them.

The second part of the volunteer program entails working with field projects which help in strengthening partnerships with local institutions and individuals who are significant in the area of wildlife conservation. The projects help in raising awareness about the declining number of chimpanzees, forest and wildlife conservation.