Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking refers to navigating the dense tropical canopy to encounter chimpanzees and spend an hour in their presence in their natural habitats. Chimpanzee trekking is a unique experience that puts adventure to a whole new level. You cannot fathom how incredible this adventure is unless you experience it yourself.

What to expect while embarking on this activity?

From the planning to the execution, the entire process and preparation for encountering chimpanzees in their natural environment are special. On the day of the activity, visitors are always driven by expectation fuelled by the hope to see the chimpanzees. As a precaution, visitors must go through a pre-trekking briefing that prepares them for the experience.

The briefing exercise is led by the rangers that basically detail the guidelines that must be followed by visitors as they venture through the jungles to the chimpanzees. These guidelines include the rules and regulations of chimpanzee trekking. Some of the rules include;

• Do not trek if sick
• Wear a face mask
• Keep an 8-meter distance from the chimpanzees
• Avoid physical contact with the chimps
• Always maintain silence
• Do not eat or drink in the presence of the chimps
• Do not mimic the chimpanzee vocalizations
• Do not smoke
• You must be 15 years old or older
• No flash photography, etc.

Visitors are also briefed on the expected code of conduct while in the presence of the primates. Chimpanzees live in groups called communities, and each community is led by a dominant male. After the briefing, visitors are assigned a chimpanzee community to trek. The entire trekking experience is led by professional rangers accompanied by armed rangers. At the encounter with the chimpanzees, visitors are awarded an hour in their presence. This is the best reward for the long trek through the rugged terrain and dense vegetation.

Where trek chimpanzees in the wild?

It is not every day that you trek chimpanzees in the wild, and certainly not everywhere. Encountering chimpanzees is a unique adventure since these primates are not very common. Chimpanzee trekking is only done in Africa and also in specific areas. The places to trek chimpanzees in the wild include the following.

Kibale Forest National Park

The best chimpanzee trekking destination in the world is Kibale Forest National Park. This park is situated in the western region of Uganda. It was established in 1993 as a primate national park hosting chimpanzees. Uganda as a nation hosts about 5,000 chimpanzees, and Kibale alone harbors over 2,000. This is the most recorded chimpanzees in a single destination in the world. Kibale stretches for over 799 square kilometers and offers a seamless chimpanzee trekking experience.

Nyungwe National Park

The southern region of Rwanda is home to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Nyungwe is the biggest chimpanzee destination in the country. This park offers a unique chimpanzee trekking experience with rugged, hilly terrain. It tops it off with a canopy walk that is the icing on the cake for this experience.

Kyambura Gorge

In the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park lies Kyambura Gorge, a popular chimpanzee destination in Uganda. It is known as the Valley of Apes, given its appearance and nature. Kyambura Gorge hosts about 100 chimpanzees and offers a simple chimpanzee trekking experience compared to most of the other destinations.

Gombe National Park

Gombe National Park is also a popular chimpanzee destination in Tanzania. It is located in the western safari circuit of Tanzania. It sits on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika and gained fame when it hosted the great primatologist, Jane Goodall. Gombe National Park is this exact park that Jane Goodall did her research on the use of tools in chimpanzees and changed the world’s perception of these primates. This fully affirmed chimpanzee are the most intelligent animals in the world. Gombe National Park offers epic chimpanzee trekking experiences.

What is the best time to trek chimpanzees?

Chimpanzee trekking is an outdoor activity that requires favorable conditions. The dry season is the best time to trek chimpanzees, as it offers favorable conditions for the activity. The dry season is characterized by dry weather and humid temperatures with little or no rainfall throughout the season. This season occurs twice a year, from June to September and from December to February. The weather is very clear, and the vegetation is sparse during this period, increasing visibility. The dry tracks also ease navigation during the trekking experience.

How much is chimpanzee trekking?

The cost for chimpanzee trekking varies according to a specific chimpanzee destination. On average, the cost of a chimpanzee permit is between USD 300 to USD 150. A chimpanzee permit is a document that allows visitors to trek chimpanzees in a certain destination.