CHIMPANZEE TREKKING IN UGANDA

Chimpazee tourism was initiated in Uganda in 1991. The early 1990s witnessed Kibale and Kyambura offering chimpazee related tourism in the form of forest walks, nature walks and chimpazee trekking. As the authorities realized the potential for chimpazee tourism, the quantity of sites increased, but not, unfortunately, their quality. To day, there are seven chimpazee tourist sites operating in Uganda: Busingiro, Kanyanchu, Kaniyo-Pabidi, Kyambura, Rabongo, semliki and Ngamba Island.

Kibale National Park
Kibale forest has the highest density and diversity of primate species in the whole of Africa. Kanyanchu tourist center in Kibale national Park hosts a healthy population of the endangered chimpazees.

Kibale national park has over 25% of all the Uganda’s chimpanzees increasing its importance for the conservation of these species. The possibility of tourists sighting chimpazees on primate walk rose from 60% in 1997 to 90% in 2002.

In 2002, in Kibale an exclusive and new activity Chimpazee Habituation Experience was introduced. The activity provides opportunities for tourists to spend more time with the chimps and learn more about their behaviours by making data recording on each of the chimpazees.  The friendly and experienced habituators look forward to sharing their wealth of knowledge on all aspects of forest ecology, including birds, primates, butterflies, medicinal plants and of course chimpazee behaviour.

The visitors start at 6 a.m up to mid day, and the visitors are free to extend their time in the forest until 5:00 p.m. the maximum number is six (6) clients per habituation team( one per day).

The bookings are only accepted during the low seasons of March, April, May and November for other months it can be negotiable with Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Kaniyo Pabidi (Budongo forest)
This is an eastern extention of the Budongo forest. There are over 600 chimps in this forest.  Chimpazee habituation started in 1992, with a remarkable success – chimpazee tracking walks from Kaniyo Pabidi boasted a success rate of close to 100% in late 1995. the majority of the visitors to kaniyo –Pabidi drop in on their way to Murchison Falls National park.

Kyambura Wildlife Reserve
This borders Queen Elizabeth national park. Kyambura gorge, adeep, cliff-lined incision into the Kyambura plain, is an exceptional scenic / wildlife resource with a dramatically contrasting range of habitats. It is 100 metres deep and 16 kilometres long. The forested walls of the gorge are home to chimpazees  and other species; red-tailed monkey, black and white clolobus, giant forest hogs and many different bird species. The Kyambura river supports a population of hippos. The chimpanzees here are reasonable well habituated to people and the confined nature of the gorge means that they are easier to locate than in some other reserves. There are existing guided walks for tourits. Kyambura gorge continues to be a popular destination for tourists.

Ngamba Island Chimpazee Sanctuary
This supports over 35-orphaned confiscated chimpanzees. The idea is not to attempt to rehabilitate the animals to living in the wild, but to let them live on the natural sanctuary offered by an Island rather than in the artificial confines of a cage. The gateway to ngambe Island is Uganda wildlife Educational center in Entebbe, which is the official holding center for all confiscated animals in Uganda. Visitors get to the Island by boat and are taken to a viewing platform to view the chimpanzees.

Chimpanzee Tours
Primate safari - 6 days
Chimpanzee Habituation - 4 days
Kibale Forest Chimps -3 days
Ngamba Island tour - 1 day

More information on Chimps
Chimpanzee tracking rules & regulations.
About other primates - the monkey.
Main Chimpanzee Safari Page