Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda
Uganda is a beautiful destination in East Africa that is commonly referred to as the pearl of Africa it is unique with a large diversity of flora and fauna Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda is one of the most attractive things to do while at the destination there is a number of conservation areas where you can find primates these include the Kibale forest national park, Queen Elizabeth national park and the Murchison falls national park each of these comprises different ecosystem within which the primates exist, the chimpanzee is scientifically proven to share up to 98% of the human DNA characterized by their social and intelligent behaviors.
Kibale Forest National Park has the highest count of primates in Uganda notable for the chimpanzee, there are higher chance of seeing them here than in any other destination, The conservation area has the largest forest cover in the Kabarole district surrounded by an amazing dotted crater lake, while in Queen Elizabeth national park the Kyambura gorge seems like a lost world easy to miss if you don’t pay attention while in the park the chimpanzee of the Kyambura are trapped in the gorge, enjoying the forested area, Murchison falls national park is the largest of Uganda’s conservation areas managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to the south of the park is the Budongo forest right before you cross the Victoria Nile tracking is done beginning at Budongo Eco-lodge.
Chimpanzee tracking is done in sessions which can be in the morning or the afternoon in Kibale the hike begins at the Kanyanchu visitor center with a briefing from the park rangers, in groups of 6 per session you will be guided through the forest it takes 2-3 hours doing the activity, chimpanzee are messy eaters and loud it is much easier to track them, they live in families of up to 100 members led by a male alpha they are closet to mankind they weigh to 70 kilograms, and can use all their four legs they communicate through charter sounds and an hour is allowed while with the primates taking pictures while following the rules and regulations of the authority. The Chimpanzee habituation process involves an all-day being with the primates with the researchers training them to be in the presence of humans while they do their day-to-day duties, the primates in Murchison, there are 2 trails taken in search of the primates, the mahogany forest has a lot more to offer together with the melodic sound of the birds and other primates like the olive baboons.
Chimpanzee tracking requires purchasing permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority This can only be done through a registered tour operator like Beautifulsafarisuganda, foreign nonresidents pay $200, foreign residents $150, and East African citizens 150,000 shillings only. Other places of Uganda to find the chimpanzee include the Kalinzu forest reserve, Ngamba island chimpanzee sanctuary, and Uganda Wildlife Conservation Center. The tracking can be combined with other activities of the conservation areas including a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile, guided nature walks, game drives, and fishing to mention a few.
