Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda-Uganda

Chimpanzees trekking may get much less hype in the travel media  compared to gorilla trekking but it’s arguably one of the most amazing adventure experiences while in Africa. Tracking our closest relative through the African jungle is in fact one of the world’s most thrilling wildlife encounters. Although there are around 300,000 chimpanzees left in the equatorial forests of Africa, observing them in their natural habitat is a rare treat.

A chimpanzee family in Kibale National park.

Gorillas may be Rwanda and Uganda’s star attraction, but coming face-to-face with a wild chimpanzee is every bit as breathlessly exhilarating. In fact, this experience is arguably better, because the terrain is much easier, the forest less dense, the chimpanzees easier to find, and the price significantly cheaper; costing a fraction of visiting the larger cousins- the gorillas.

There are very many good reasons why you need to consider putting chimps right at the top of your must-see list while in Africa.

Why do Chimpanzee trekking?

Easy

Chimpanzees don’t survive in higher altitudes like gorillas. They reside in the thick jungles with no tough terrains which makes it easy to walk, not hiking as it’s the case with gorillas. On a chimpanzee trek, a steady walk will lead to the chimps

Affordable

Chimpanzee trekking is relatively affordable compared to Gorilla trekking. In Uganda’s Kibale national park, a chimpanzee permit costs $200 per person for a normal trek and for chimpanzee habituation $250 per person. Other places such as the Kyambura gorge and Kalizu forest in Queen Elizabeth national park cost only $50 per person.

In Rwanda’s Nyungwe national park, a chimpanzee permit costs $90 per person

The experience

Chimpanzees are known for their very active behavior throughout the day unlike the silent and calm behavior of the gorillas. On a trek, you can find them very busy jumping from branches and climbing back, screaming when they find food as a sign of happiness, mating in one of the happiest ways ever.

On a chimpanzee trek, be ready to move as fast as they are in order to watch them carry on their daily activity in the forest unlike the gorillas that just stay seated eating.

Chimpanzees feeding on figs

Chimpanzees live in communities of up to 150 members, which are divided into smaller subgroups and led by an alpha male.  They’ll typically spend much of their day high up in the treetops, grooming, sleeping, and feeding on fruit, leaves and bark. However, it’s when they descend from the canopy that you’ll have your best chance of getting close to them.

Today we know that chimpanzees are humans’ closest genetic relatives – sharing around 98% of our DNA – but it was the celebrated primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall who first observed their astonishing human-like behavior where she was able to prove that chimpanzees kill and eat small mammals, and can make and use tools, ideas that were completely unknown at the time.

By spending time with the chimps she eventually taught them to accept her – a process known as habituation which is not only fantastic for scientists, but also opens up the opportunity for ordinary visitors to get almost within touching distance of these incredible creatures.

Fruits lead their list of food items. These are supplemented by a wide range of other plants, as well as honey, termites and insect larvae.
In rare cases, chimps are fond of meat; piglets, colobus monkeys and young baboons are preyed on during cooperative hunts.
It’s amazing how chimps get more intelligent with time; they use tools in their life just like humans. Grass stems are used to fish termites from their nests, while sticks are brandished to intimidate rivals during aggressive display.

Where to go chimpanzee trekking?

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest National Park

Tourists with their ranger in the forest on a chimp trek

Kibale Forest national park  in Uganda also known as the primate capital, is home to around 1500 chimpanzees living in 13 communities. Of these, various groups have been successfully habituated; some for scientific study and others, such as the Kanyanchu group, are used for tracking.

The Kanyanchu group, made up of more than 120 individuals, is led by an alpha male named Totti (after an Italian footballer) who took the top job in 2016 after a two-year battle with the previous alpha, Magezi. Visits to the group take place in the mornings and afternoons and typically last 3-4 hours with up to one hour spent with the chimps. The cost of the tracking permit is $200 per person for a normal trek and this can either be a morning or afternoon trek. Both options provide plenty of time to find the chimps and enjoy a thrilling hour in their company.

Kibale forest national park also offers one of the most amazing chimpanzee experiences called chimpanzee habituation. If an hour isn’t enough for you, then the park also offers a habituation experience, where you’ll spend a full day (US$220) following one of two communities currently undergoing the two-year habituation process. You’ll need to be prepared for a fair bit of brisk walking as chimps can move fast but it will be worth it for the rewards of a more intimate encounter.

 Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National park

Uwinka visitor center of Nyungwe national park

Nyungwe national park in Rwanda has two habituated chimpanzee groups ready for trekking. One found around Uwinka and the other big group found in the Cyamudongo fragmented forest.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe national park starts in the morning hour on both starting points of Uwanika and Cyamudongo.

A chimpanzee trekking permit at Nyungwe national park costs $90 per person.

Rwanda has another chimpanzee trekking place in its new national park called Gishwati Mukura National park which also has a big number of fully habituated chimpanzee families ready for trekking.

Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest

Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest

The 2002 census in Uganda determined that about 5000 chimpanzees remain in twelve forest blocks and the Budongo central forest reserve is home to about 880 chimpanzees.

Budongo forest is now famous as one of the most reliable chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda. With chances now almost 70%,  guides are skilled in the art of chimpanzee tracking. They will take you through the briefing of chimpanzee trekking; the dos and don’ts while in the forest.

A chimpanzee trekking permit in Budongo forest costs $120 per person for either a morning or afternoon chimpanzee trek.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge

Kyambura gorge

Kyambura gorge is one of the most amazing chimpanzee trekking destinations found in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth national park. The Gorge is inhabited by approximately 20 chimpanzees according to the last census and these are fully habituated for chimpanzee trekking.

What makes Kyambura gorge a unique chimpanzee trekking is the scenery of the gorge even before going down into the gorge; the breathtaking scene of a rainforest in the middle of an open savannah!

The Kyambura gorge was named after the Kyambura river which flows on the floor of the gorge with schools of hippos. Elephants, giant forest hogs and leopards can be sighted while on the chimpanzee trek.

A chimpanzee trek in Kyambura gorge costs only $50 per person and this can be done either on a morning or afternoon trek.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest

Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest

Kalinzu forest is one of the most famous places in Queen Elizabeth national park mainly for chimpanzee trekking. The forest has over 50 chimpanzees fully habituated and ready for chimpanzee trekking and it costs $50 per person for either a morning or afternoon trek.

Kalinzu forest has been known as one of the reliable chimpanzee trekking options after Kibale national park though nature is unpredictable.

All chimpanzee trekking in different places starts with a briefing, during which you’ll learn a little about the animals you’re about to see, as well as being given some dos and don’ts.

Rules for Chimpanzee trekking

1.       Top of the list; Avoid getting too close. Not only for your own safety, but also for theirs as our colds, viruses and diseases can easily spread to them due to shared DNA.

2.       Don’t not imitate chimpanzee calls. While it might seem fun to mimic them, if you’re not careful you might accidentally end up recreating a battle cry and bring 120 angry chimpanzees down upon you.

3.       While in the forest, always follow your guide. Do not leave the guide even in case of a short call. It’s wise to communicate with him and he will give advice.

4.       Do not smoke in the forest. This puts the forest at a fire outbreak risk and the chimpanzee’s health.

5.       Flash light while taking photos is prohibited. This light frightens the chimpanzee and they may react in a way you may not like at the end. Make sure it’s off even before the trek.

6.       In case you have any cough or flu, it’s not allowed to trek the chimpanzees since they can easily contract it making it hard to treat them.

7.       A nose mask is a must while close to the chimpanzee. The ranger will let you know when you are close to putting on your mask.

8.       Children below 14 yrs of age are not allowed to go for chimpanzee trekking.

9.       Avoid unnecessary breaking of plants while in the forest.

10.   Do not litter in the forest. Kindly carry your rubbish out of the forest and dump it in the right place.

On a chimpanzee trek

Once you’ve been briefed, you’re separated into groups of up to eight each accompanied by a guide, who is armed in case you encounter forest elephants and buffaloes that are very dangerous. And later it’s time to head into the forest.

Pushing through the tangled undergrowth, ducking under low branches and watching your step for twisted roots, you’ll hike in the direction of where the animals were last seen, all the time listening for their cries in the trees above. With a bit of luck you’ll soon hear them: that harsh, high-pitched screeching that rises to a crescendo and then fades away again as the family members call to one another. It’s an eerie, thrilling sound, and one that you know means you’re about to meet the stars of the show.

As you follow the direction of the cacophony, you should soon find one of the family’s sub-groups. They may be high up in the treetops, feasting on figs, grooming or playing. But if you’re lucky, some will have come down to the ground, and that’s when the real magic happens.

No matter how prepared you are, nothing beats that first, up-close, chimpanzee encounter. That intense buzz of being no more than a few feet away from these completely wild creatures. The thrill of seeing how intelligent they are, with their poses, expressions and interactions that could be almost human. The way they look right at you with their bright eyes, and even pose for your camera, you may wonder if they’re enjoying the interaction even more than you are.

What to carry for Chimpanzee trekking

1.       Shirts

Chimpanzee trekking requires you to pack long sleeved Shirts, Tops and trousers. This is to protect your skin from wild insect bites like bees, wild Ants, tsetse flies among others.

2.       Rain gear

Chimpanzee live in tropical rainforests and this obviously implies that raining is common and unpredictable. A rain jacket, pants or poncho will protect you and your equipment from the rain.

3.       Shoes

Chimpanzee trekking requires you to carry light strong outdoor boots to ease movement in the forest jungle while trekking. Closed water proof shoes are comfortable for walking in the bush or in wet conditions. You don’t need Doc Martens or army boots, north face, jack wolfskin and similar outdoor wear brands are better choices.

There are even more remarkable and amazing behaviors of these unique creatures you can easily observe when you go for a chimpanzee trek. Book or plan one for your next adventure.

4.       Gloves

The gloves will protect your hands from germs as you try to support yourself on plant trees along the walking trails. They will also protect you from thorns as you try to grab branches for support while on your trek.

Slipping and falling is common on wet conditions while trekking, gloves will protect your palms when they hit the ground

5.       Sun protection

Sun block; an eco-friendly 30 SPF (or higher) sunscreen.

6.       A safari hat.

Avoid the floppy straw hat, as experience has shown that you’ll spend more time clutching onto it than the shade is worth!

Sunglasses are excellent for keeping dust and small flying insects out of your eyes, as well as the blazing African sun.

7.       Backpacker

A backPacker bag is significant in carrying your small items like water, lunch boxes, snacks, repellents, few basic toiletries, first Aid kit sanitizers among others. For activities like gorilla trekking, you may choose to hire a porter at $15 to assist you carry your back packer.

8.       A face mask

The outbreak of Covid 19 made wearing of the face mask even more empathized than before. Since chimpanzees are our closest cousins, we share almost 97% of the DNA. This means we can easily infect them with our disease and then we can contract diseases to them. In order to protect them; a mask will be a must when you draw close to spend an hour with them. Please carry one for their survival.

9.       Insect repellant

Insect repellent does NOT replace the need for anti-malaria medication! Packing insect repellents is recommended in conjunction with malaria prophylaxis. Not getting bitten and bugged by mosquitoes also makes traveling far more pleasant but there are also other insects sometimes not dangerous but they make you uncomfortable on the trek since they are strange to you.

There is alot to imagine how it will be right infront of these amazing creatures but to make all that come true, book or plan a chimpanzee trek today.