Ultimate Guide to Chimpanzee Trekking

Ultimate Guide to Chimpanzee Trekking

Ultimate Guide to Chimpanzee Trekking ; Chimpanzee trekking is an exciting primate adventure involving hiking into the misty rainforests in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and the less popular Democratic Republic of the Congo, led by a local expert tracker and an armed ranger. Once you locate a habituated chimpanzee troop, visitors are allocated one hour to watch the troop.

Typically, a group trackers is limited 6 (six) persons, from 16 years and above.

With twice daily departures that is morning and afternoon sessions, the chimpanzee trekking excursion usually takes two to six hours (including a briefing session) and visitors are asked to maintain a 7 meters distance away from the chimpanzees. For those interested in sending more time with chimpanzees, consider a day-long chimpanzee habituation experience.

Where to Go Chimpanzee Trekking in East Africa

Chimpanzees are exclusively found in the dense rainforests of Central and West Africa. Contrary to the wildlife you will encounter on plains safari and even gorillas, these playful intelligent creatures unfold amid the forest canopy. While not elusive, it doesn’t mean the animals will make themselves visible on their terms, you may find some immediately, and you may need to hike for a short while.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park is acknowledged as the best chimpanzee trekking in the world. The rainforest of Kibale is home to approximately 1,500 chimpanzees which is the largest population of chimpanzees, the population is divided into at least dozen communities of four of which are habituated. Through the habituation process, they animals are comfortable with human presence and less hostile. In addition to chimpanzees, you will encounter an abundance of diversity, about 120 mammals including 12 other primate species such as red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and over 370 species of birds.

The most popular chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest National Park is the Kanyanchu Primate Walk which lasts about three hours, the trek is limited to 6 people, departing at 8 am, 11 am and 2;00 pm. Chances of encountering chimpanzees is higher than 90 per cent.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda

Uganda is home to over 5,000 chimpanzees, making it one of top destinations for chimpanzee trekking and habituation experiences in Africa. Though Kibale Forest National Park is the most popular chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda, other destinations like the Budongo Forest within Murchison Falls National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park offer thrilling chimpanzee trekking experiences.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park is another exciting destination for chimpanzee trekking in Africa. The rainforest of Nyungwe is home to 500 chimpanzees with two troops are habituated.

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, troops are limited to 8 people, aged 15 years and above. On the day of the trek, you will typically depart on foot at sunset with each group permitted to visit one habituated chimpanzee troop per day. Observers are to spend one hour in presence of the chimpanzees and maintain at least seven meters away from the chimpanzees.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Tanzania

There are only two chimpanzee protected areas in Tanzania, where chimpanzee trekking is possible. Follow the footsteps of Jane Goodall – the chimpanzees’ dearest ally and fiercest advocate in Gombe National Park. Covering just 13 square miles, this boat-accessed park is a fragile strip of chimpanzee habitat skirts the steep slopes and river valleys that hem the sandy northern shore of Lake Tanganyika.

Home to approximately 95 chimpanzees, visits are limited to six-person groups age 15 and older and are capped at one hour.

Still on Lake Tanganyika – south of Gombe is the boat-access-only and road – free Mahale Mountains National Park. Here, the forest hosts 800 primates, about 60 individuals from Mimikere or M group are habituated.

Chimpanzee Trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The Virunga National Park located on the eastern edge of Democratic Republic of Congo offering exhilarating chimpanzee trekking experience. This biodiverse rainforest park was the first national park established in Africa and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Chimpanzee habituation in Virunga started in 1987 but decades of civil unrest closed Virunga to tourism until 2014 when the park officially reopened. Chimpanzee treks in Virunga’s 32 habituated members are limited to just four persons, departing each morning at 6:00 am.

Best Time of Year to Go Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee habitats largely straddle the equator and operate year-round, so the best time for chimpanzee trekking is during the dry seasons.

During the dry season, chimpanzee communities are more mobile, traveling deeper into the jungle in pursuit of sustenance. Meaning that while trails will be less mud-caked and hiking will be comfortably less humid, you may have to trek further to locate them. Also, the dry season tends to align with peak tourist season when the demand for permits increases.

The dry season generally runs from June to October.

What Should You Bring on a Chimpanzee Trekking Safari?

• A small day pack (backpack)
• Snacks
• Water
• A camera with the ability to turn off the flash
• Durable, lightweight water-resistant hiking boots with grippy soles. You will want good tractions in case of muddy slopes
• A water – repelling but ventilated jacket
• Long sleeves and long pants are recommended to protect your body from prickly foliage you may trek through.
• Insect repellent
• Gaiters to tuck your pants into your boots to hinder the safari ants
• Wear gardening gloves

Tips to Prepare for Chimpanzee Trekking

• Chimpanzee trekking permits must be booked in advance
• To prevent transmitting human-borne diseases to the chimpanzees, anyone who is ill or demonstrating signs of illness is not allowed into the park
• There are minimum age requirements to go chimpanzee trekking. It varies by park but generally, youth must be 15 and older, in some cases 16. Many lodges have kid-friendly programming or childminding so parents with littles can enjoy a half-day trek.
• Depending on the park or the park’s policy, you will be expected to maintain at least seven meters (23 feet) distance from the animals
• To avoid negative attention, do not eat or snack near the chimpanzees
• Listen to your guide at all times
• Trekking is limited to small groups. Depending on the park, some are limited to as few as four, most run at six, and others max out at eight.