Chimpanzee tracking in east Africa
Chimpanzee tracking in an exciting activity which offered in areas in East Africa, chimpanzee tracking involves a search for chimpanzee in their heavily forested habitants. This article highlights areas where you go for chimpanzee tracking in East Africa.
Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest national park is a prominent primate paradise habiting a huge population of considered to be the biggest population of primates in East Africa,kibale national park is one of the most forested national parks in Uganda covered with moist evergreen/low land tropical rain forest trees which makes it a favorite habitant for primates. Kibale forest national park is the one of the last remaining areas with both lowland and montane forests situated in western Uganda near fort portal the most developed town in the region, kibale forest national park lies in the elevation range of 1,100 metres to 1,600 metres and covers an area of 766 square kilometers.
Kibale national park is a home to 13 primate species that is chimpanzee, black and white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed monkey, red tailed monkey, L’Hoests monkey, olive baboon, Thomas Galago, blue monkey and Pottos. Among the primates in kibale forest national park chimpanzees take the largest population of primates in the park, kibale forest national park is famous for hosting a large individual of chimpanzees estimated to be over 1450 individuals which thrive in the forests of the park.
Chimpanzee tracking in kibale national park is a breathtaking activity starting from kanyanchu visitor center at exactly 08:00 am for a morning trekking and 12:00 pm for an afternoon trekking, this activity led by a professional guide takes you on walk through the jungle of kibale national park where you get to see a number of beautiful chimpanzees playing on trees. In the forests of kibale on chimpanzee tracking safari you also get to see birds and other primates.
Budongo forest
Budongo forest is a great forest dominated by African mahogany situated western region of Uganda, Budongo forest covering an area of 825 square kilometers is part of Murchison falls national park and the great Murchison falls national park conservation area. Budongo forest the largest natural rainforest in East Africa lies in an escarpment northeast of Lake Albert famous for its huge mahogany trees and being a home to a reasonable population of chimpanzees.
The area hosting chimpanzee in budongo forest is managed and operated by Jane Goodall institute for research which is responsible for the chimpanzee tracking, chimpanzee tracking in budongo forest is offered in two sessions that is morning chimpanzee tracking which starts at 07:00 am and afternoon tracking starting at 03:00 pm. This activity takes approximately 2-3 hours of hiking through the forest where you get to see many chimpanzees and beautiful vegetation cover.
Kyambura gorge
Kyambura gorge is a stunning valley of apes in Queen Elizabeth national park, kyambura gorge is also referred to the mweya situated in the far eastern corner of Queen Elizabeth national park in lower western region of Uganda. Kyambura gorge is a forested area drained by river kyambura, kyambura gorge the valley of apes is a habitat to many chimpanzee which are trekked while in queen Elizabeth national park, apart from chimpanzees the gorge is also a home to primates like red-tailed monkey, black and white colobus monkey, vervet monkeys and baboon.
Chimpanzee tracking in kyambura gorge takes on a walk in the forested gorge where you get to meet and see chimpanzees playing on tree branches and collecting fruits. In the gorge you also get to spot other primates like olive baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and birds such as Martial Eagle, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-rumped Buttonquail, Shoebill, African Skimmer, Lesser plus Greater Flamingo, Chapin’s Flycatcher, White-tailed Lark, Corncrake, Pink backed Pelican, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Papyrus Canary, White-winged Warbler and many more.
Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary
Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary is a unique peaceful habitant for chimpanzees found in Ngamba islands one of the islands in Lake Victoria, Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary is a home to 48 orphaned chimpanzee which were rescued from various parts of Uganda The sanctuary managed by Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT) is easily accessed by water on a boat ride from Entebbe and it is possible to visit it for chimpanzee tracking safari and come back to Entebbe the same day.
Chimpanzee tracking in Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary is very fascinating as you get to see chimpanzee in their nature habitant, the area where chimpanzee live is fenced using an electric metal mesh to prevent intrusion of the locals into the chimpanzee habitant.
Nyungwe forest national park
Nyungwe forest national park is a heavily forested fantastic tourist destination in Rwanda, nyungwe forest national park is a remarkable bio diversity centre recognized as the largest remaining tract of montane rainforest in East Africa. Nyungwe forest national park is the top spot for chimpanzee tracking in the land of a thousand hills Rwanda situated in the southwestern region of Rwanda stretching throw an area of 1,015 square kilometers.
Nyungwe forest national park is a primate haven habiting 13 species of primates that is chimpanzee, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, Ruwenzori colobus, grey cheeked Mangabeys, L’Hoest’s monkey, Owl faced monkey, Chinese golden monkey, Mona monkeys, Dent’s monkey, silver monkey, and blue monkey which thrive in the forests of nyungwe. Nyungwe forest national park is a habitant to over 600 chimpanzee species with about 6o habituated chimpanzee individual which are being tracked in the forest.
Chimpanzee tracking in nyungwe forest national park involves hiking through the rugged terrain of nyungwe forest in the park, as you track for chimpanzee you also get to spot other primate species and birds such as Rwenzori Turaco, large blue Turaco, sunbirds like the purple breasted and the blue-headed sunbird and many more.
Gombe national park
Gombe national park is a famous home for chimpanzee in Tanzania, Gombe national park is relatively a small national park situated in the western kagoma region of Tanzania 10 miles from kagoma city the capital of kagoma region. Gombe national park lies along the hills of eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika covering an area of 35 square miles which are typically dominated by a variation of vegetation that is forest vegetation, grassland, woodland and tropical forests. This park’ is a home for chimpanzees with many chimpanzee individuals of the famous Kasekela chimpanzee community which has been featured in many documentaries and books, the chimpanzee community and Gombe national park is only accessed through a boat cruise.
Apart from chimpanzees the park is also a home to other primates like beachcomber olive baboons, red colobus, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and vervet monkeys. While on a chimpanzee activity in this park you hike through the forested jungle of the park where you get a chance to spot and spend time with chimpanzees.
What to carry on chimpanzee tracking safari in East Africa
For an amazing chimpanzee tracking activity in East Africa you have to carry the right the right equipments and items such as
- Long sleeved shirts, t shirts
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- A pair of binoculars
- A good camera and extra batteries
- A rain jacket
- A bag pack
- Comfortable hiking shoes
Rules and regulations for chimpanzee tracking safari in East Africa
Chimpanzee tracking in East Africa is an amazing activity but to get a best experience there is a number of rules and regulations which have been drafted by the par’s authorities for the safety of both the chimpanzees and visitors.
- Ill tourists are not allowed to participate in chimpanzee tracking
- Do not eat any sort of eatables in the presence of chimpanzees
- Tourists under the age of 12 are not allowed to participate in the trekking
- Taking pictures in the presence of chimpanzees with a flash light on is prohibited
- Chimpanzee tracking offers you only one hour to be with the chimps
- Strictly only a group of 6 people is allowed to participate in the tracking at ago
- Only tourists with a chimpanzee tracking permit are allowed to participate in the tracking.
