Where to see Chimpanzees in Uganda?

Uganda is a home to many attractions that attract a number of tourists. Did you know that today chimpanzees attract a number of tourists. Uganda is among the few places in the world that act as a home to the chimpanzee species. The pearl of Africa is a home to over 5000 chimpanzees thus making highest number in East Africa.

In this blog, we are going to explore various places where to see Chimpanzees in Uganda.

KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Kibale forest national park is the only destination with the largest concentration of chimpanzees with over 5000 creatures thus being referred to as the primate capital of the world. The park is located in the western parts of Uganda about 400km form Kampala city.

Main activity in the park is chimpanzee Trekking and habituation. Chimpanzee trekking is mainly conducted in two shifts that is the morning and afternoon.

Chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale.

Chimpanzee trekking kicks off with a briefing at the park main head quarters (Kanyanchu visitors center). The briefing mainly entails informing tourists about the rules and regulations to follow while in the forest.

After the briefing, then you will join a group of people and go to the jungle. Upon interacting with these primates, only one hour will be provided. The one hour involves taking photos, see these primates feed, hunt and many more. Chimpanzee trekking is among the most thrilling activities since tourists have a chance to get closer with these primates in their habitant.

Kibale forest national park boasts a large piece of biodiversity including birds, butterflies and different monkey species.

How to get to Kibale forest national park?

Getting to Kibale forest national park can either be done through air or road.  By road.

By road

The most common route of accessing the park from Kampala is passing via Mubende, fort portal and then reach to the park.  The journey is roughly a 5 to 6 hours by car.

You can still access the park using another alternative route of Kampala-Masaka- Fort portal though this is a bit far compared to the Mubende route. This journey can last about 7to 8 hours.

By air

You can board chattered flights from Entebbe international airport to Mbarara or Kasese air strip. From those air strips then you can connect to the park.

Why select Kibale National Park?

Kibale national park has a high concentration of chimpanzees with over 15000 implying that the chance of seeing the chimpanzees is 100%.

Kibale national park is among the few places that allow chimpanzee habituation thus tourists seeking much time with the chimpanzees will select Kibale.

KALINZU FOREST

This is among the few places in the pearl of Africa that grant an opportunity that allows you to interact with the chimpanzees. The forest is situated in the western parts of Uganda in Bushenyi district approximately 375km from Kampala. The chimpanzee trekking experience is generally the same with that of Kibale.

However, you still have an opportunity to see other primate species including the Baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and many others.

KYAMBURA GORGE

This is another amazing place in Uganda where chimpanzees can be seen. Kyambura gorge is also referred to as the valley of apes and is part of Queen Elizabeth national park. Kyambura gorge also offers thriving chimpanzee experiences though the chances of seeing them in this place is quite 50-50.

Why choose Kyambura Gorge?

Rich wildlife

Tracking chimpanzee in kyambura gorge offers you with an opportunity to come closer to wildlife since the gorge is part of Queen Elizabeth national park. Some of the wildlife to come close include the big five, tree climbing lions and a number of birds.

BUDONGO FOREST (Murchison falls national park).

In Uganda, chimpanzees can still be seen with in Budongo forest. Budongo forest is part of Murchison falls national park which is Uganda’s largest park. Chimpanzees can be tracked from Kaniyo papidi.

Here the chimpanzee trekking experience is relatively the same with that of Kibale national park. Kaniyo papidi also offers the chimpanzee habituation experience where you have a chance to spend more hours with these primates. Tourists can still decide to join the chimpanzee trekking experience with either a game drive or boat cruse in Murchison falls national park.

Why select Budongo for your tracking experience?

Less crowded.

Budongo forest receives a few tourists compared to kibale national park.  Tourists seeking for a peaceful and an exclusives experience Budongo should be non your bucket list.

Its closer to Murchison falls national park

If you would wish to have a look at the most powerful fall in the world as you combine it with your chimpanzee safari then Budongo forest is the most appropriate area.

Semliki wildlife reserve

You can still view the chimpanzees with in Semuliki wildlife reserve. Chimpanzee trekking is not much different with that in other destinations. What you need to know is that it starts with a briefing at the park main headquarters. The experience lasts for one hour.

After trekking the chimpanzees, you can now result to embarking on a game drive where you can see various animals such as Ugandan Kobs, buffalos, elephants and many more.

Why select Semliki wildlife reserve?

Less crowded

The reserve receives a few tourists thus making it an ideal destination for people who love less crowds.

The reserve is also known for having a large concentration of tropical forests thus viewing different wildlife while on your chimp tracking expedition.

NGAMBA ISAND SANCTUARY

Chimpanzees in Uganda can still be spotted with in Ngamba Island sanctuary. The sanctuary serves as a home to many orphaned and rescued chimpanzees. The island is situated in Entebbe and among the islands of Lake Victoria.

Ngamba island sanctuary is one of those unique places which allows you to see chimpanzees with children below 12 years. Chimpanzees can be seen from a fenced area, you can also feed them and learn about the conservation efforts of these chimpanzees.

Why select Ngamba island?

Close interaction

Tourists seeking for a much close interaction with the chimps will have to select Ngamba island.

Scenic views

The island is situated on Lake Victoria which offers scenic views of the surrounding to tourists.

BEST TIME FOR VISTING CHIMPANZEES

Chimpanzees can be visited at any time of the year. This implies tourists can visit them at any time however they have the best time for interacting with them.  The most ideal time for visiting the park is generally in the dry season.  The dry season ranges (December to February, June to early September).

The dry seasons is the most appropriate time for chimpanzee trekking because there are little rainfalls, the roads are less slippery, the skies are very clear thus easy viewing of the animals.

However, tourists can still visit with in the wet season. The wet season is a bit challenging considering the roads when it rains, though it its the best time for travelling for people who hate over crowding.

This is because a few people tend to visit the park in the wet season.  The other beauty of visiting in the wet season is that some accommodations tend to offer discounts on their prices which still attracts many tourists.

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