Chimpanzee
are the most closest relative of man sharing almost 98% of human DNA make up,
they are fabulous fan to watch when playing in fruitful trees or tree
branches. Uganda is one of the countries
not only in East but also in the whole world where you can find over 15 species
of primates. They’re very many places in Uganda where these species can be
tracked safely and they are habituated to human standards making tracking easy
and safe. Unlike the big, bulky mountain gorillas, that despite of their sheer
size seem shy and timid, the chimps are the direct opposite. They are not only
agile on their feet, but it is difficult to get close to them. Unlike the
mountain gorillas which almost sit still and mind their own business, the
chimpanzees are somewhat unpredictable in their mannerism and a little less
approachable. Let us examine one by one of these places that are a home to our
relatives.
Kibale forest national park,
This is by far one of the most popular
locations in Uganda to track the chimpanzees, this is a star attraction in
kibale forest national park; here they roam free and number in their hundreds.
The park is a home to over 13 species of primate and it’s said to host the
world’s highest population densities of primates. And this makes a must visit
for primate lovershttp://elephantsafaris.co.ug/chimpanzee-trekking-6days.php. Other primate species found at the park include the black
and white colobus monkey, golden monkey, civet monkey, mona monkey, the grey
cheked mangabay, baboons, red tailed monkeys L’heast monkey the list is
endless. There are daily chimpanzee tacking expeditions at the kibale forest
national park, and they start after reporting at the park headquarters at
Kanyanchu to receive short information about chimp tracking, after head to the
forest to begin the activity. Possibly chimp tracking can go from two to six
hours in the jungle guided by a ranger guide, so a reasonable degree of fitness
is needed. They may be met while doing their daily activities such as feeding,
making nest, mother feeding their young ones, playing jumping from one tree to
other and you are only allowed to stay with them for only one hour observing
their behaviors as well as taking photos ( a flash camera is not allowed).
Chimpanzee tracking in kibale costs $70 person over and above the park entrance
fees.
Budongo Forest Reserve:
This
forest reserve is located in the north-western part of Uganda near the largest
and bio diversified park Murchison falls national park. The forest reserve has
dark, dense forest that houses the most interesting to watch species the
chimps. The process of tracking other primates species can also entertain you
such as the black and white colobus monkey, grey checked mangbay, baboons,
among others, plus a variety of bird species and butterflies. After receiving a
short briefing from the park wardens head to the forest to begin a two-four hours
tracking in the forest and trackers are allowed to stay with them for only one
hour observing their behaviors as well as taking photos. At budongo some chimps
are habituated like in kibale and you can spend a full day with the chimps.
Queen Elizabeth National Park:
Queen Elizabeth national park is majorly known
for its wide open savannah grassland where wild games roam free and its known
for housing all the big five mammals including buffalo, elephant, leopard,
hippo, lion. And it’s known for housing the rare tree climbing lion in the
Ishasha sector of the park than for its chimpanzee population. However, while
chimpanzee population in the park is not as vast as that found in Kibale,
Queen’s chimpanzees tend to hang around a little bit longer. The Kyamburo Gorge
is famously known for hosting chimps among others primates and tracking can be
done either in the morning or in the evening and can go to about 1-6 hours in
the forest and trackers are allowed only one hour around the chimpshttp://elephantsafaris.co.ug/gorilla-safaris-queen.php. Chimps can
also be seen in Maramagambo forest
Toro Semliki wildlife reserve:
Primate
lovers don’t miss to visit Toro Semliki wildlife reserve although it does not
boost large chimp population; but it stands out for watching the primates,
because the forest cover is lighter and therefore makes it easier to spot and
watch the chimps. Toro Semliki chimps are so fabulous fan to watch as this wild
reserve is known to roam into the wide open savannah plains and stand on their
hind legs and walk upright an interesting encounter difficult to miss.
Ngasmba island chimpanzee
sanctuary:
Go to Lake Victoria island a short way south
of the capital Kampala to Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary, the island is
known for housing over 40 orphaned or rescued chimps, they are habituated to
human standards and they are so magnificent to watch, participate in feeding
them, as well as taking as many photos as you can.
Rules
for tracking chimpanzee
- · Don’t track chimps if you’re infected by transmitted diseases like flue, cough as this may put the live of chimps in danger
- · Don’t leave un necessary garbage in the wild, after using take them back to the lodge or at the park headquarter
- · Children below the age of 12 years are not allowed to track
- · You must not make un necessary noise or movements when you are tracking chimps
- · Ounce you are with chimps you only allowed to stay with them for only one hour
- · Don’t drink or eat near the chimps they can charge on you
- · When you meet chimps you are only allowed to stay in a distance of about 10 meters from the chimps.
- · Don’t filter
- · You are not allowed to use flash camera when tracking as this may scare away chimps or they charge on you
- · Always fallow the guides instructions
- · Don’t spit on ground in the park
