Experience the thrill of tracking chimpanzees In Africa.
Average Lifespan: 35-40 YEARS
Estimated population: 150,000
Statu: Endangered
Chimpanzees in Africa can be seen in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya’s Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. With all these numerous places to see and track chimpanzee, we have zeroed down to Uganda & Rwanda as our favourite chimpanzee trekking destinations. A visit to Ngamba Island is equally worthwhile for a passionate conservationist.
Chimpanzee tracking combines well with gorilla trekking – this you get to tick of two (02) bucket list experiences.
FACTS ABOUT CHIMPANZEES IN AFRICA
Chimpanzees are classified as great apes and share 98.7% of our genes. Prominent characteristics of chimpanzees in Africa include long arms, opposable thumbs, a black/brownish fur and bare skin on their face, palms, ears and soles of the feet. Highly sociable primates they move in flexible groups of between 15-80 individuals with one dominant male and communicate through a series of screams, pant hoots, squeaks and barks. Movement during the day is often on the ground and can either be bipedally (upright) or knuckle-walking. They are larger than you might think, with males weighing up to 70 kilos, reaching a height of up to 1.7 metres when standing upright.
BEST PLACE TO SEE CHIMPANZEES IN AFRICA
In Uganda, Kibale Forest is a stunning place to see chimpanzees in the Wild. While in Kibale, you can opt to take on the traditional half day chimpanzee trek or sign in for the all day long Chimpanzee habituation experience.
Kyambura Gorge, in the Kyambura Reserve close to Queen Elizabeth National Park is yet another fascinating spot to track chimps. The chimps here leave is a gorge and so you will get to track them below sea level – literally to say”underground”. The sucess rate of seeing chimps in Kyambura gorge is 50% but the walk itself is rewarding.
Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park is yet another place to see chimpanzees in Uganda. Budongo chimpanzee tracking combines well with a wildlife Safari in Murchison falls. Our previous clients have signed up for 4 Days chimp & Wildlife Safari
For travelers with little time on them, Entebbe is an ideal base for you to take on a half day visit to the chimpanzee Island on Lake Victoria Known as Ngamba Island. The Ngamba Island is a Sanctuary for chimpanzee rehabilitation, and perhaps the best Sanctuary and a perfet places for passionate conservationist to Visit. You could also stay on the Island for a couple of nights in support to chimpanzee Conservation.
In Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest (Kyamudongo) is the only place to see chimpanzees in the Wild. Cyamudongo Forest is a small patch of forest recently annexed to the bigger Nyungwe Forest National Park in an effort to put more emphasis on conservation in the region. The Forest is mainly popular for Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda and is home to ±43 habituated chimps that are visited by 08 tourists on the daily. A typical day of Chimp trekking In Cyamudongo forest starts with an early rise and departure from your accommodation in Nyungwe, drive for approximately 1.5hours through a Distance Of 34Kms to get to your start point.
