Chimpanzee Trekking Tours in Uganda, Rwanda & DR Congo. Chimpanzees are one of two exclusively African species of great ape that are currently extant.
Native to sub-Saharan Africa, both are currently found in the Congo jungle. Classified in the genus Pan, they were once considered to be one species.
However, since 1928, they have been recognized as two distinct species: the common chimpanzee (P. troglodytes) live north of the Congo River and the bonobo (P. paniscus) who live south.
In addition, P. troglodytes is divided into four subspecies, while P. paniscus has none. Based on genome sequencing, the two extant Pan species diverged around one million years ago.
The most obvious differences are that chimpanzees are somewhat larger, more aggressive and male dominated, while the bonobos are more gracile, peaceful, and female dominated.
Their hair is typically black or brown. Males and females differ in size and appearance.
Both chimps and bonobos are some of the most social great apes, with social bonds occurring among individuals in large communities.
Fruit is the most important component of a chimpanzee’s diet; however, they will also eat vegetation, bark, honey, insects and even other chimps or monkeys. They can live over 30 years in both the wild and captivity.
Chimpanzees and bonobos are equally humanity’s closest living relatives. As such, they are among the largest-brained, and most intelligent of primates; they use a variety of sophisticated tools and construct elaborate sleeping nests each night from branches and foliage.
They have both been extensively studied for their learning abilities. There may even be distinctive cultures within populations.
Field studies of Pan troglodytes were pioneered by primatologist Jane Goodall. Both Pan species are considered to be endangered as human activities have caused severe declines in the populations and ranges of both species.
Threats to wild panina populations include poaching, habitat destruction, and the illegal pet trade. Several conservation and rehabilitation organizations are dedicated to the survival of Pan species in the wild.
Chimpanzees are found in Uganda, Rwanda, DR Congo and Tanzania. Therefore in each country you take the half day chimpanzee trekking and habituation in Uganda and DR Congo.
Uganda
Chimpanzee Trekking & Habituation
Kibale is most popular national park where you can experience the unforgettable chimpanzee trekking, which starts from the Kanyanchu area and this primate walk takes 3-4 hours in the forest and you can as well spot other primates, birds and floras.
Kanyanchu chimpanzees have been visited since 1993 and the chances of locating them are excellent. Guided walks start at 8am and 2pm and last an average of three hours, depending on various factors.
The full-day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) works with a chimp community which is undergoing habituation.
Early visitors can watch chimps leaving their overnight nests between 6:00 – 6:30am before feeding, copulating, hunting, breastfeeding, resting, patrolling and displaying until it is time to build new nests around 7pm.
In Uganda you can also take chimpanzee trekking from other parks in Uganda like Queen Elizabeth National Park trekking the chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge.
Chimp trek at Budongo forest in Murchison Falls National Park and also you can trek chimps in Semliki Toro Reserve and the Kalinzu forest. Ngamba Islands Chimpanzee Sanctuary is also found in Uganda and you can volunteer at this island.
Costs of Chimps Permits in Uganda
| Particulars | Costs in USD international | Costs in USD Foreign Residents | Costs in USD EAC |
| Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest | $ 150 USD each | $ 100 | 100,000 UGX |
| Promotional season in Kibale forest (April, May & November) every year | $ 100 USD | $ 75 USD | 75,000 |
| Kyambura Gorge – QENP | $ 50 USD | $ 40 USD | 30,000 UGX |
| Primate Walk Toro Semliki WR | $ 30 USD | $ 20 USD | 20,000 UGX |
| Chimpanzee Habituation | $ 220 USD | $ 150 USD | 70,000 UGX |
| Budongo Chimp Trek | $ 90 USD | – | – |
Rwanda
These cousins to humans can be found and tracked in Nyungwe National Forest.
A beautiful guided hike through the forest will lead you to these fascinating creatures where you can watch them play and interact up close.
Chimpanzee tracking can be done year-round in Nyungwe Forest, rain or shine, and while it is never guaranteed that you will see them, sightings are very common and guides are skillful in tracking them.
The experience differs from gorilla tracking as the chimps are running around, so the sightings are a bit more sporadic and rushed, but worthwhile nonetheless.
There are three reception centers for Nyungwe National Park in Kitabi, Uwinka and Gisakura where tourists may meet their guides.
Permits for chimpanzee tracking cost $ 90 USD each can be arranged through the most trusted listed Rwanda Tour Operators.
DRC Congo
Chimpanzee Habituation Walks. In February 2014, a Congolese team trained by Frankfurt Zoological Society began habituating a group of chimpanzees living in the forests around park headquarters in Rumangabo.
Guests staying at Mikeno Lodge can join this team on their daily visits to the chimpanzees. The day begins when a group of local trackers leave their camp at 4:30 am to locate where the chimpanzees spent the previous night.
Lodge guests set out at 6:00 am to find the chimpanzees. Groups are limited to 4 people and time with the chimpanzees is restricted to one hour.
Bookings for these walks can be arranged by the Virunga team or through Eco tours companies offering Congo gorilla tours
In 1987, Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) developed an 80 km network of trails inside the Tongo forest and began a two-year process of habituating chimpanzees to the presence of humans. By 1989, approximately 50 chimpanzees had been habituated.
Treks soon began, and for the next three years, provided an important source of tourism revenue for the park and the small community of Tongo. Unfortunately, civil unrest put an end to chimpanzee tourism from 1992-2001.
Despite this prolonged period of conflict, Virunga National Park rangers steadfastly protected and monitored Tongos’ chimpanzees. The peace that returned to the Kivu was short-lived.
It wasn’t until 2010 that FZS and a team of 35 people from the local community was able to re-launch the habituation process.
By June of that year, the chimpanzees were once again habituated and visitors began trekking in to see them on a regular basis. In April 2012, hostilities erupted yet again and chimpanzee trekking had to be halted.
The M23 rebellion, as the conflict was known, eventually ended in January 2014. The Tongo team still visits this population of chimpanzees on a daily basis. The group now consists of 32 individuals and the permits cost $ 100 USD each.
Note
If you don’t feel well at the time of your scheduled walk (i.e. you have a cold, fever, diarrhea, or persistent sore throat) – please cancel.
Like the gorillas, chimpanzees are extremely susceptible to human illnesses. Chimpanzees have died after being exposed to human respiratory viruses and other common ailments.