Chimpanzees are distinctive black – coated apes, more closely related to man than any other living creature. They are typically animals of the rain forest and woodlands from Guinea to western Uganda. They mostly live in forests of western Uganda and have been habituated to tourists in Kibale forest national park, the Kyambura gorge in queen Elizabeth national park, Semuliki wildlife reserve and the Budongo and Kanyiyo forests near Murchison falls national park.
They feed on fruits, leaves, seeds, plus flowers but also eat meat and sometimes hunt.
Trekking chimpanzees is a life time experience since it allows visitors meet chimpanzees during their daily activities in their natural environment.
In kibale national park, trekking embarks from kanyanchu visitor center at 08:00 & 15:00 and lasts 2-3 hours. Interestingly, chimpanzees are the most sought after primate by visitors but one should also look out for black and white colobus, red tailed monkey or the grey cheeked mangabey, the pittas, different bird species and plant species within the forest.
Join Experience Africa to take and guide you through this lifetime experience. Advance booking is all important especially during peak seasons.
This is a very fascinating experience since one will be allowed to spend some time (1 hour) with these relatives. You will observe them how they feed, play, swing, interact and communicate with each other. As humans, these chimps share 98% of their DNA.
However, chances of seeing these chimps are not always guaranteed although they are many in the park. For visitors who take part in fascinating habituation, they can get a chance to spend the entire day with these creatures.
About chimpanzees
- The average weight of an adult is 35 &70 kilograms with height 3 meters.
- Adult female chimpanzee weighs 26& 50 kilograms and height is between 2&4 feet.
- Their life expectancy is at 40 years.
- Chimpanzees are the closest relatives to humans sharing 98% of their DNA composition with mammals.
- Chimpanzees stay in groups of 10- 100 members.
- Young chimpanzees become independent at the age of 4 years.
However these chimpanzees can be aggressive and unsociable if provoked.
What to carry
- Closed shoes suitable for climbing steep moist muddy slopes.
- Drinking water
- Binoculars
- Insect repellents
- Rain jacket among others.
Other places where you can see chimpanzees on a Uganda safari are; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Ngamba island, UWEC among others.