Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Chimpanzees short facts

The chimpanzee is often called our close cousin since we share 98,8% of our DNA. Chimps are as us categorized as great apes and social animals. They live in groups in the jungles and on the savannahs in tropical parts of Africa. During night time the chimps sleep in nests in the trees. Then they spend around eight hours of the day foraging for fruits, sometimes supplementing their diet with meat.

About chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

What is chimpanzee trekking?

Chimpanzee trekking is when visitors trek through the jungle to see chimpanzees that have been habituated to humans. Your chimps trek starts with a briefing about the rules you need to follow while in the jungle. Then you enter the jungle in a group together with a specialized guide. Next is an exciting trek in the jungle to reach the point where the chimpanzees are. When you have reached the point where the chimpanzees are you get to spend one hour with them. Ones the hour has passed you trek back to the starting point together with your group.

Where in Uganda can you go for a chimpanzee trek?

Trekking of chimpanzees can be done at several different locations in Uganda. The most famous location for chimps trekking is undoubtedly Kibale Forest National Park. Other locations are Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest and Budongo Forest.

How many days are needed to do a chimpanzee trek in Uganda?

Chimpanzee trekking can be included in a longer safari in Uganda or done during a short 2 to 3 days chimps trekking safari.

Itinerary tips: 3 days chimpanzee trekking in Uganda | 7 days Uganda safari | 10 days Uganda safari

Other places to see chimpanzees in Uganda

Besides the locations mentioned above where you can go for chimps trekking there are two more places where chimps can be seen in Uganda. The first of this is at Uganda Wildlife Educational Centre in Entebbe. At UWEC it is possible to participate in their chimpanzee close up experience, where you enter the enclosment of the chimps with a keeper to see them close up. The other place is at Ngamba Island where you can go for a visit to see how they care for chimpanzees that have been rescued from captivity or orphaned.

What’s the age limit for a chimps trek in Uganda?

The age limit for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is 12 years.

What should I bring along for chimps trekking?

When packing for chimpanzee trekking you should plan to bring along a few special things:
– Long sleeve shirt and long pants, to protect from scratches and insects.
– Socks long enough to tuck into your pants. So crawling insects don’t get in.
– Good shoes for the trek.
– Raingear if it rains.
– A backpack to have your things in.
– Enough water for the trek.
– A good camera if you wish top pictures.

Is chimpanzee trekking difficult?

The trek to see chimpanzees is not difficult so it does not demand an advanced fitness level. If you are reasonably fit you will manage.

Can I go for a chimps trek in Uganda if I am disabled?

Yes, you can go for a chimps trek in Uganda when you are disabled. Uganda Wildlife Authority offers the possibility for visitors to be carried in a special chair during the trek.

Can I trek chimpanzees if I am sick?

No, you cannot trek chimpanzees if you are sick. This rule is there since the chimpanzees are so closely related to us that they can catch our diseases.

How close to the great apes can I get?

During a trek you should keep a distance of eight meters to the chimpanzees. It does happen though that the great apes approach visitors closer than that and in such a case you should follow the instructions of your guide.

Can I spend more then one hour with the chimps?

Yes, you can participate in chimpanzee habituation. During this experience you spend four hours together with the chimpanzees together with the team working on habituating chimps to humans.