Top 6 Best Places For Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Experience In Africa : Most people believe that all one needs to do to see chimpanzees in the wild is travel to Africa and wander through a forest. Nothing is more false than it is. In Africa, very few individuals have ever witnessed these apes in their natural habitat. In many places, chimpanzees have been hunted to extinction due to their high value as laboratory animals. In other places, humans have taken control of their environments, driving the animals far into the dense canopy of the jungle and out of sight. Nobody had ever even taken a snapshot of them in their natural habitat before lately.
Today, the finest places to monitor and see chimpanzees in the wild are in East and Central Africa. In extensive tracts of the forest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the more accessible locations of Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania, visitors can spend close to ten hours a day observing chimpanzee armies that have been acclimated to humans.
CHIMPANZEE TREKKING ADVENTURES: THE BEST WAY TO VISIT CHIMPS IN AFRICA
Unlike any other wildlife encounter in Africa, tracking chimpanzees in the African rainforests is a unique experience. This rare opportunity to interact with a wild primate in their natural environment is provided by these perceptive and thoughtful primates, who are closely related to humans.
Every morning, excursions depart in small groups following a briefing at the visitor center. The quality and intimacy of each encounter with the chimpanzees can vary greatly, and visitors might spend anywhere from an hour to virtually the entire day doing so.
Visitors should be reasonably fit and well-equipped for this type of forest experience because the walk can be straightforward in some places, like Kibale Forest, and difficult in others. Over 90% of the time, chimpanzees may be spotted in the wild in Uganda, a remarkable increase from previous locations.
To visit the rainforest, however, in order to go chimpanzee trekking, you need permission. Fortunately, chimpanzee trekking permits are less expensive than gorilla permits, though they occasionally become hard to come by. Booking two or more chimpanzee permits is advised to boost your chances of getting a good look. To avoid issues like not being able to find high-quality forest lodges close to chimpanzee forests, it is advised to make reservations in advance, especially three to twelve months before the peak seasons of December-January and July-September.
HERE ARE THE BEST 6 PLACES IN AFRICA WHERE YOU SHOULD GO TO SEE CHIMPANZEES IN THE WILD:
- Kibale National Park, Uganda
- Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania
- Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda
- Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania
- Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
- Kaniyo Pabidi, Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda
- KIBALE NATIONAL PARK, WESTERN UGANDA
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park: A Unique Wildlife Adventure
The finest location to witness chimpanzees in the wild is Kibale National Park, which is situated in the remote southwest of Uganda. In the park, one of Africa’s oldest and loveliest rainforests, chimpanzees are most at home on the ground and at ease around people. Kibale is a must-visit location for wildlife aficionados since it is home to more than 1,400 chimpanzees and has the greatest variety and density of primates on the continent.
The day offers better opportunities to see other primate species, such as the vervet, red-tailed, L’Hoest’s, and blue monkeys, the grey-cheeked mangabey, the endangered red colobus, and the black-and-white colobus monkey, in addition to the chance to spend much more time with the chimpanzees than on a typical trek. The majority of safari thrill seekers reserve a spot on one of the twice-daily ranger-led chimpanzee tracking expeditions. To avoid causing stress or spreading infections to the monkeys, guests are only allowed to spend an hour with them after the guide has found them.
To improve the visitor experience, Kibale gives adventurous hikers the chance to spend a whole day with scientists who are researching a chimpanzee family that is becoming accustomed to humans. Chimpanzees move quickly through difficult terrain, thick forests, and slippery slopes during the habituation experience trek, which can be strenuous. On the day of the event, visitors set out early with the research team to identify a chimpanzee troop before they leave their nests, and they spent virtually the entire day there. This gives them a more meaningful experience, more knowledge, and a better sighting.
The cost of visiting chimps in Kibale Forest
In Kibale, chimpanzee tracking permits are 200 USD per person and per expedition. Residents pay USD 150, while East African Citizens pay less (UGX 150,000 per person). Each trek with a chimpanzee habituation permit costs USD 250. Nature walks with a guide cost $40 or $30 per person.
Park permits and lodging can be arranged through Focus East Africa Tours, a local tour company located in Kampala Uganda and Arusha Tanzania that specializes in primate safaris. Most visits to Kibale to see chimpanzees can be paired with a journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is 250 kilometers south of Kibale and home to the world’s only remaining population of mountain gorillas.
Where to stay
Chimpanzee trekking expeditions begin at Primate Lodge, which is directly behind the Park Headquarters. When tracking chimpanzees or birdwatching in the early morning hours, the resort is convenient.
The cobalt-blue Crater Lake is seen from Kyaninga Lodge. This fantasy vacation home’s architecture has a major wow effect. Kyaninga was constructed using more than 1,000 hand-carved logs, 130 workers, and six years.
Ndali Lodge is ‘thee’ Downton Abbey of Uganda. The delightful combination of genuine hospitality and colonial heritage offered by Ndali has made it something of an institution.
The Papaya Lake Lodge was constructed overlooking a crater lake and provides high standards of individualized service in yet another breathtaking setting at the edge of the jungle.
How to get to Kibale National Park
While most people do not make Kibale National Park their final stop, it is an essential stop on a vacation safari in Uganda if you want to see chimpanzees in the wild and other parks. The park is situated in western Uganda, 334 kilometers (207 miles) west of the country’s entry point, Entebbe International Airport.
Kanyanchu, the trailhead for chimpanzee trekking, is located 360 kilometers (224 mi) (about six hours) from Kampala and 20 miles southeast of Fort Portal Town. Road access to the park is simple, and it is advised to reserve a trip package that includes transportation.
A driver who will pick up guests from the airport and provide additional transportation are both included in the tour packages that Focus East Africa Tours offers. With knowledgeable drivers who are familiar with the area and can offer helpful insights about the park and its fauna, visitors can enjoy a hassle-free experience.
- MAHALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA
One of the last remaining undeveloped locations in the world, Mahale Mountains National Park is a stunning protected area in the far western part of Tanzania. Some of Africa’s last colonies of common chimpanzees are protected by the 636 square miles of jungle-covered park. Mahale is one of only two Tanzanian protected zones for chimpanzee tracking and one of the few African rainforests that can only be explored on foot.
Mahale Mountains National Park can only be reached by boat due to the steep, rough terrain surrounding the park’s western side, which is situated along the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. Fine white sand may be found on the lake’s western shore, and beyond it tower magnificent emerald mountains covered in lush tropical vegetation. In addition to chimpanzees, the park is home to the densest population of primates in Tanzania, which also includes red colobus, yellow baboons, blue, red-tailed, and vervet monkeys.
Mahale provides protection for over 1000 chimpanzees that live in tiny groups. Since 1965, only one clan, the Mimikire clan, which includes more than 50 members, has been accustomed to frequent close human contact. Before entering the Mahale Mountains, visitors should be aware of their physical condition. The five- to six-hour hike through the humid bush up extremely steep inclines can be taxing.
One of the greatest sites to see chimpanzees in the wild for daring explorers seeking a completely unique wilderness experience is Mahale Mountains National Park. The park’s most thrilling undeveloped elements are hidden from view, but the lake, beaches, enthralling jungle, and, of course, the opportunity to observe wild chimpanzees make it a journey well worth undertaking.
Costs of tracking chimpanzees in Mahale
In Mahale, there is a $20 per person guided chimpanzee tracking cost in addition to an $80 per day park entrance price.
Places to stay
Stay at Greystoke Mahale or Kungwe Beach Lodge, both of which are located on gorgeous, white-sand beaches facing Lake Tanganyika’s turquoise waters and commanding views of the Mahale Mountains’ forested backdrop.
How to get to Mahale Mountains National Park
The easiest way to get to Mahale is to take a flight from Arusha to Katavi. Safari Air Link’s service, which travels between Ruaha, Katavi, and Mahale twice a week, is the only public scheduled flight that is readily available. To get to the beach lodges, you must take a 90-minute boat voyage from Mahale Airstrip.
- NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK, RWANDA
The 394 square miles (1,020 square km) Nyungwe National Park in southwest Rwanda is home to a stunning variety of plants and animals as well as an impressive network of hiking paths. While chimpanzee trekking is the park’s most well-known activity, guests may also walk around and experience what it might be like to stray onto the Jurassic Park set. With a cacophony of bird cries, the park is home to 100-year-old trees, fern-fringed waterfalls, and enormous driving ants.
With more than 500 chimpanzees living there, Nyungwe National Park is one of the best sites to watch chimpanzees in the wild. The park’s “super group” of several hundred black-and-white colobus monkeys, whose witty antics and flying feats will keep your camera clicking, is also open to visitors. The park boasts one of the largest concentrations of primate diversity in the world, with 13 different species. Monkeys from L’Hoest can be seen playing along the roads. They might cross paths with the lone owl-faced monkey if they’re lucky.
Nyungwe Forest offers some of the best jungle trekking excursions in Africa’s rainforests, in addition to the chance to encounter chimpanzees in the wild. Closed-canopy woods, bamboo groves, and orchid-filled marshes are all traversed by trails in the park. As a rainforest, the area can experience rainy weather, and the park receives more than 2,000 mm (79 inches) of precipitation a year, which supplies water to around 70% of the nation. A team of explorers asserted in 2006 that Nyungwe was the Nile River’s furthest source.
Visitors should travel on Nyungwe’s renowned canopy walkway, a 200-meter (656-foot) wood bridge suspended 60 meters (196 feet) above the ground, after enjoying the chimps’ antics. The “hanging trail” is an amazing journey since it offers breathtaking views of the treetop canopy and close encounters with birds.
Cost for Watching chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest.
In Nyungwe, a pass for chimpanzee trekking costs $90 for visitors. As an alternative, you can choose the $40 guided hike, which is more reasonably priced. There are two options for anyone who wants to shoot the chimps: a filmmaking pass that costs $600 and a day pass that costs $1000.
Accommodations in Nyungwe
One and Only Until you slide back the glass balcony doors to allow in forest breezes and bird singing, Nyungwe House will make you forget you’re adjacent to a rainforest in this opulent refuge. The $1300 rooms are almost suite-style accommodations with balconies. From the Gisakura side, it’s not far from the park.
For US$220, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel offers breathtaking views of mountains shrouded in mist, first-rate service, and easy access to Nyungwe National Park. The hilltop vacation resort is thus the most value-for-money lodging option in Nyungwe.
How to reach Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda
The distance between Kigali International Airport, which serves as Rwanda’s entry point, and Nyungwe National Park, which is located 124 miles to the south of the nation, is 4-5 hours by car. As an alternative, guests can fly into Kamembe Airport, which is a 30-minute drive from the western perimeter of the park, and make arrangements with their lodge for pickup.
The park’s Uwinka Reception Center, which can be reached from the nearby Gisakura hamlet by utilizing a private four-by-four car to the trailhead, serves as the starting point for the majority of activities. Due to the park’s location in a rainforest, visitors should dress appropriately and have suitable equipment when visiting Nyungwe National Park. To avoid hassles and make the most of their time in the park, travelers should also reserve a tour package that includes transportation.
- GOMBE STREAM NATIONAL PARK
Tanzania’s smallest and most charming location is Gombe Stream National Park, which is tucked away on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the continent’s largest lake. One of only two locations in Tanzania where visitors can view chimpanzees in their natural habitat is Gombe, which gained notoriety thanks to Jane Goodall. It is, however, also the most difficult location for chimpanzee trekking in Africa.
Only 2 miles (3.5 km) wide and 9 miles (15 km) long, this little park stretches from the blue lake’s white sand beaches up into the dense jungle, with the mountains of the rift escarpment in the background. Visitors shouldn’t anticipate a Tarzan-like jungle in the area, despite the fact that it is known for its primates, as it is primarily covered with dense Brachystegia woodland. Along the numerous streams that carve down steep valleys on their way from the highlands to flow into the lake, there are also areas of riverine vegetation.
You should know that you need to be decently fit if you want to follow in Jane Goodall’s footsteps. It can be incredibly taxing labor to keep up with a group of feeding and moving chimpanzees as they climb hills and graze in the valleys of Gombe. But the effort will be worthwhile since nothing on earth compares to walking alongside a group of individuals through the bush or coming face-to-face with a chimpanzee.
Gombe Stream National Park: Fees and Guided Walks
Visitors to Gombe Stream National Park must pay an entrance charge of US$100 per person for a 24-hour period in order to enter the park. In addition, guided tours of Lake Tanganyika are available for US$20 per person. Both activities call for the presence of a guide, who’s available for an additional US$20 per day.
Please note that prices and levies are subject to change; thus, it is advised to check the most up-to-date information before visiting Gombe Stream National Park. To ensure availability and enhance your experience at the park, we also advise scheduling your activities in advance.
Where to stay for the chimpanzee experience in Gombe National Park
The sole lodging available inside Gombe National Park is Gombe Forest Lodge. A collection of independent canvas tents lifted off the ground on wooden platforms make up the quaint and exclusive vacation resort, which is situated among mopane trees.
A great starting point for your chimpanzee trekking in Gombe Stream is the Kigoma Hilltop Hotel, which is located on a hill overlooking the lake about 2 km (1.2 miles) from Kigoma’s town center.
- KYAMBURA GORGE: A MYSTERIOUS WILDERNESS IN QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK, UGANDA
A mysterious river flows at the bottom of the cliff-lined, sunken Kyambura Gorge to reach the Kazinga Channel. Its forested ridges serve as a natural border between Queen Elizabeth National Park and the nearby Kyambura Wildlife Reserve and create a deep rift in the savanna environment.
Kyambura Gorge’s guided chimpanzee tracking is more active than others because participants may need to trek up the gorge’s steep slopes and cross the river on a fallen log, both of which can be challenging. The valley is a fascinating, primitive location, and the drive of 1.6 miles (2.5 km) from the Katunguru highway is worthwhile only for the vista.
Kyambura Gorge’s terrain can be difficult; therefore, visitors should wear appropriate attire and have the necessary equipment. Additionally, to have a hassle-free experience and make the most of their time in the canyon, travelers should reserve a tour package that includes transportation and a guide.
Cost of visiting chimpanzees in Uganda’s Kyambura Gorge
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) sells chimp licenses for Kyambura Gorge for $50 per person. It is best to reserve them in advance through Focus East Africa Tours or another authorized local operator, however, due to their restricted availability.
It’s crucial to remember that fees and costs might fluctuate, so travelers should check the most recent prices before making travel arrangements to Kyambura Gorge. In order to guarantee availability and make the most of their time in the gorge, we also advise guests to reserve their activities in advance.
- KANIYO PABIDI, BUDONGO FOREST RESERVE, UGANDA
In the Budongo Forest Reserve in northern Uganda, Kaniyo Pabidi is another unassuming but superb location to see chimpanzees in the wild. The forest reserve is a good stopping point for travelers heading to the well-known Murchison Falls because it is situated on the route to the falls.
Before entering the enormous Murchison Falls National Park to see big game, Budongo Forest Reserve is a worthwhile detour for fantastic chimpanzee trekking. Visitors have the opportunity to get a closer look at the chimpanzees and other residents of the forest in the reserve.
Visitors should be advised that in order to monitor chimpanzees in Kaniyo Pabidi, they must receive permission from either the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or a licensed local operator like Focus East Africa Tours. To enjoy a hassle-free trip, visitors should also make plans to carry adequate clothing and equipment for the trek and reserve a tour package that includes transportation and a guide.
CONCLUSION
It’s a fascinating and different experience to see chimpanzees in the wild, and many people find it more entertaining than seeing mountain gorillas. This must-do African adventure experience allows tourists to interact directly with inquisitive, playful, and intelligent chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
The most exciting excursions to view chimpanzees in the jungles of Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda are offered by Focus East Africa Tours. Most of our Uganda safari tours depart from Entebbe International Airport in the west and spend one or two nights with the habituated chimpanzee tribes in Kibale National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also offers gorilla trekking in the south.
Our itineraries are customized to the traveler’s tastes and style of travel, and our local safari specialists assist guests with booking, ground logistics, and trip management.
