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Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Tours

4.4/5  –  452 Uganda Reviews

Chimp trekking is one of the highlights on any Uganda holiday. Imagine the adventure of heading out to track these great apes in dense rainforest. Seeing chimps in their natural habitat is a real privilege. As we share 98.8% of our DNA with chimpanzees, they are our closest relatives. Like humans, they tend to have strong personalities, and their expressive faces make their identities very recognizable to us. Their intelligence and social behavior are endlessly fascinating to observe, and no two visits to a community are the same. You might hear them before you see them. Listening to a chorus of vocalizations, called pant-hooting, at close range is a spine-tingling experience you’ll never forget.

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6 Questions About Uganda Chimp Trekking Tours

1. How does chimp trekking in Uganda compare to other countries?
2. How do a chimp trek and a gorilla trek in Uganda compare?
3. What fitness level is required?
4. Is chimp trekking in Uganda safe?
5. How much will this trip cost?
6. Are chimp sightings guaranteed?
 
 

6 Questions About Uganda Chimp Trekking Tours

Answered by Ariadne van Zandbergen

How does chimp trekking in Uganda compare to other countries?

“Although there are several African countries that offer chimp trekking, the activity is most popular in Uganda. Many visitors to the country go chimp trekking at least once. There are several places to do this, and the activity is easily slotted into any tour of the country. The number-one place for chimp trekking is Kibale National Park. Sightings are usually very good here, but visitor numbers can be high. For a more exclusive experience, there are several good alternatives. These are the beautiful Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the community-run Kalinzu Forest Reserve bordering the same park, and the vast Budongo Forest near Murchison Falls National Park. Tanzania offers great chimp trekking in Gombe and Mahale Mountains National Parks, on the shore of Lake Tanganyika. It’s very special in these remote destinations, but getting here is either very expensive or time-consuming. This makes chimp trekking in Tanzania much less popular. Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda is a less-known chimp trekking destination. This high-altitude forest is remarkably accessible and is home to 13 primate species. The park is worth visiting for its natural beauty, forest hikes and biodiversity alone, and the opportunity to track chimps is a bonus. Chimp trekking in Rwanda is recommended, but sightings are more hit-and-miss than in Uganda or Tanzania.”

1

How do a chimp trek and a gorilla trek in Uganda compare?

“Chimp trekking is vastly underrated compared to gorilla trekking. This may be due to the huge size of gorillas, which makes these gentle giants so overwhelming to be around. But the experiences are similar. On both activities, your ranger will give you a briefing before you head out with a small group of visitors. Once you’ve found the primates, you’ll get a full hour to observe them. The main difference is that gorillas are overall less active. The young ones might play, but the adults usually feed or rest. Whereas a group of gorillas always stays together, chimp communities are more fluid. They often break up into subgroups, which spend time apart to reunite later. There always seems to be something going on in a chimp community: an alpha male trying to take over, a youngster throwing a tantrum, males patrolling their territory and, occasionally, a hunt. Although this makes chimp watching very rewarding, it also makes it trickier than spending time with gorillas. When on the move, chimps are difficult to follow. Their nimble bodies move easily through the vegetation whereas we struggle to get through. Chimps spend more time high up in trees compared to gorillas and that can make viewing more difficult too. Having said that, the guides work really hard to ensure you get a good sighting and a few good photo opportunities. Last but not least is the price difference: the fee for chimp trekking in different sites ranges from US$50 to US$200, which is a lot cheaper than a gorilla trekking permit.”

2

What fitness level is required?

“You will require a reasonable amount of fitness for chimpanzee trekking. Every day is different though, and some days the trek is more strenuous than other days. Chimps have big territories, and you might be lucky to find them after 30 minutes or it might take two hours. You get to spend an hour with the chimps and this experience is very variable too. They might be stationary, feeding or resting, or they might be on the move. Contrary to gorillas, chimpanzees move very fast through the forest undergrowth and trying to keep up with them can be a great challenge. The unpredictability adds to the adventure and most people walk away with an amazing experience. Whatever your fitness, you’ll need proper gear. Wear good hiking shoes, a lightweight rain jacket and long trousers. A walking stick helps on slippery slopes. If you are uncertain of your fitness, you can hire a porter. They will carry your bag with water, snacks and a camera, and they are also great at helping you navigate the difficult terrain.”

3

Is chimp trekking in Uganda safe?

“Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is very safe. The chimpanzees are very habituated and they know that humans pose no threat to them. You’ll be given a safety briefing before you head out and one of the rules is to maintain the recommended 8m/26ft distance from the chimps. As long as you listen to the instructions given by your guide, you’ll have nothing to worry about. Furthermore, Uganda as a country is a safe travel destination in our opinion. Crime in any of the parks or reserves is very rare. As is the case all over the world, there is some crime in the cities, but as long as you book with a reputable operator, you should be fine.”

› More information on safety in Uganda 4

How much will this trip cost?

“Chimp trekking costs US$200 in Kibale National Park, US$50 in Kyambura Gorge, or US$130 in Kalinzu Forest Reserve or Budongo Forest. When booking an organized tour, these fees are included in the overall price. The cost of a 3-day trip including chimp trekking in Kibale starts at about US$850 per person. A 10-day Uganda highlights tour, including chimp and gorilla trekking, as well as savannah safaris in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks, will start at around US$3,000 per person. These prices are just guidelines as they depend on the level of accommodations on your tour. Use the filters on the SafariBookings website to select budget, mid-range and luxury options. Shared camping tours are cheapest, but there are budget private tours available too. Mid-range accommodations range from no-frills hotels and guesthouses to simple tented camps, but there are some lavish luxury establishments in the country too.”

5

Are chimp sightings guaranteed?

“The success rate of finding the chimps in Uganda depends on where you go on a chimp trek. Although they are habituated to human presence, the chimpanzees are totally wild. They move daily in search of food and they make a new nest every night wherever they end up. All in all, these nimble primates are less sedentary than gorillas and sightings are altogether more variable. In Kibale, the odds of a sighting are higher than 90%. With a lot of visitor activity as well as research groups operating here, the guides usually have a good idea of where the chimps are at any time. Kalinzu Forest is almost as reliable as Kibale. Kyambura Gorge and Budongo Forest are less reliable, but the success rate is still better than 80%, and if you do get to see chimps, the experience is just as rewarding.”

6

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