Chimpanzee trekking is only in Africa; that is where one can see Chimpanzees in their natural habitat, Chimpanzees which share the same family as other primates like Gorillas and humans. Chimpanzee trekking in Africa is a very special activity that can be done in only around 21 countries in the whole of Africa, with the most renowned countries being within East Africa: Tanzania. Chimpanzee trekking is done in Mahale Mountains National Park and in Gombe Stream National Park, thanks to Jane Goodall for her great work to habituate these great apes.
The most current statistics show that in the next 20 years, most of these countries around half might have lost the Chimpanzees due to several factors that are affecting their habitats of the like
- The chimpanzees, daily, are losing their homes due to deforestation. This is due to the rapid increase of the African Population that is growing at a terrific speed, hence affecting the animal habitats due to steep competition for the available land with humans and wildlife.
- Most of these animals are killed daily, especially in Congo, where human beings use the Chimpanzees as an alternative to changing their diets
- Petty trading where the chimpanzees are hunted and sold illegally.
Irrespective of the above factors, East Africa has tried its best to uplift tourism to the next level, balancing wildlife and humans and educating them to live together most harmoniously in the same environment. Chimpanzee trekking is one of the highlights of East African tourism.
Chimpanzee trekking can be done in Murchison Falls (Budongo Forest), Kibale Forest National Park, known as the primate capital, Queen Elizabeth in Kaluzo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and finally in Rwanda in Nyungwe National Park.
Trekking occurs in parks where the chimpanzees are fully habituated to human presence. Each country has established various rules and regulations for chimpanzee trekking, and guests receive a briefing before entering the jungle to track these fast-moving apes in their natural environment. This process is designed to promote high-quality environmental conservation, and each park allows a specific number of guests per day.
Chimpanzee trekking can be done in two swift ones, one in the morning and another in the afternoon, depending on the country.
