Top Chimpanzee Trekking Destinations in East Africa

Top Chimpanzee Trekking Destinations in East Africa: Chimpanzee trekking is a more intimate experience than the adrenaline-pumping thrill of savannah safaris for predator hunting. Imagine yourself in the expressive face of a species that contains 98% of your DNA. Watch in awe as these gregarious primates interact with each other, caress their young, and engage in hilariously relatable play. It’s hardly surprising that it’s one of the most memorable vacation experiences in Africa.

The experience of hiking with chimpanzees on a safari is quite unique. Your guide searches for yesterday night’s nests, which are clusters of leaves high in the shadowy canopy that you would not have found on your own, as you go out on your chimp adventure. You meander along a path lined with gnarled branches and fruit pocked with sharp edges. sounds of unfamiliar birds can be heard throughout the woodland.

A branch of a tree sways wildly. You hear a hoot in addition to the loud rustle of the leaves. The chimp, our nearest living cousin, is standing right in front of you if you look up. It feels just like you’re in an actual, live documentary.

Would you like to witness chimpanzees in the wild? This website describes the best locations in East Africa to view chimpanzees and describes the experience of going on a chimp trek. The majority of chimpanzees in East Africa are found in West Uganda and Tanzania, the sites of significant chimpanzee behavior research by primatologist Jane Goodall.

Chimpanzee viewing is possible in Rwanda, though it is more famous for its mountain gorillas—another large ape—than for anything else. They’re even visible in Kenya. Two populations of chimpanzees live in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy near Mount Kenya, but they are not native to the region.

Top Chimpanzee Trekking Destinations in East Africa

What makes chimpanzees such a big deal?

Humans and chimpanzees share 98% of our DNA, among many other commonalities. They live in groups of up to 120 chimps, which is comparable to a small human village, and they display social behavior. Chimpanzees look out for one another’s offspring. Chimpanzees argue with their fellows. To the displeasure of parents, young children like playing and creating new games. Both cultures employ tools, despite their distinctions.

What Is The Length Of A Chimpanzee Trek?

Hikes with chimpanzees can differ significantly depending on where you go. On a two- to three-hour guided walk, you’re likely to see multiple chimpanzees because they live close to roads and walkways in many parks.

The chimpanzees reside in different parts of other parks. Your chimp adventure might last all day. To begin tracking chimpanzees when the sun rises, get up early in the morning when it’s still dark. Then, with the assistance of knowledgeable counsel, follow them. You might have to walk through dense undergrowth and challenging terrain. On the other side, going on these treks is enjoyable since you might see interesting primates, gorgeous birds, and other unusual animals.

It might only take a few minutes to visit a few sanctuaries. These sanctuaries hold many other endangered species, including chimpanzees that were once kept in captivity before being released back into the wild. Although chimpanzees are allowed to roam around in the wild, many of them still have a low tolerance for people and prefer to congregate close to tourist attractions and other areas visited by “hairless apes.” They want to know what their evolutionary cousins are up to, just like we do!

What Safety Measures Should I Take When Going on a Safari for Chimpanzee Trekking?

We are all aware of how quickly diseases can spread in the modern world. However, did you know that a variety of diseases may affect both humans and chimpanzees? Therefore, stay away from going for a chimp walk if you’re feeling under the weather.

When you come across chimpanzees while traveling, you should avoid getting too close to them, even if you’re in excellent health. As a general guideline, a good distance to aim for is about 25 feet. This guards against infections for both humans and chimpanzees. Additionally, it lets the chimps know that you pose no threat.

Other things to think about

Steer clear of dining with the chimps. You were taught in elementary school that it is impolite to eat in front of people if you are unwilling to share. It’s also not a good idea to share with a wild monkey. (They may not have said that, of course.)

No flash photography since the chimps could get scared or confused by the flashes.

The Best Places To See Chimpanzees in Uganda: Budongo Forest and the Murchison Falls Conservation Area

There are 600–700 chimpanzees in Budongo Forest, which is close to the southernmost point of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area. They are dispersed among several settlements within the 500-square-mile forest. A community consists of 50–120 chimpanzees, about the size of a small human hamlet.

Kaniyo Pabidi, a region on the northeastern edge of Budongo Forest, offers the best chance of seeing one of these chimps. Unlike mountain gorilla treks, which always start in the morning, chimpanzee treks in Kaniyo Pabidi take place in the morning and afternoon. You can tour this area in the morning or the afternoon.

Kibale Forest National Park

Ever wonder what it would be like to spend a day in Jane Goodall’s shoes? There is more information at Kibale Forest National Park.

Fort Portal in Western Uganda is an hour’s drive from Kibale Forest. Primate residents of the forest include chimpanzees, who are the most well-known inhabitants. In Kibale, there are two opportunities to get up close and personal with this fascinating species:

In the morning or afternoon, go on a monkey walk.
Study chimpanzees all day long with field scientists.
The field selection is very unique. You will observe and record one group of chimpanzees’ behavior for the entire day. For those who adore primates and want to pursue careers in research, this is a dream come true.

Trekking Chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park

Chimpanzees and other habituated animals live in the lush jungle of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Kyambura Gorge. The ideal time of day for a monkey tour is early in the day when it’s cooler. But walks throughout the day are also feasible.

Once you’re within the canyon, there aren’t many steep inclines because the paths are kept up nicely. But the climb out of the gorge is challenging and steep. Recuperate with a cup of coffee from a nearby women’s cooperative that supports chimpanzee conservation after your stroll.

Sanctuary for Chimpanzees on Ngamba Island

A quick boat ride from Entebbe brings you to the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, where chimpanzees freed from labs or saved from the pet or bushmeat trades can live in safety. If there are no predators nearby, they can safely revert to their natural state and learn at their own pace.

The chimps are free to roam around, investigate their surroundings, and go on foraging expeditions. To make sure that chimpanzees who are less adept at foraging have a balanced diet, caregivers increase feedings of fruits and other treats twice daily. Spectators get a rare chance to interact closely with chimpanzees as they watch feedings from an elevated catwalk. Take a stroll around the island to witness chimpanzees in their native forest habitat.

The Semliki Wildlife Reserve

Deep within Uganda’s western rift valley, the Semliki Valley is a significant conservation area. The chimpanzees in this area are well recognized for regularly standing and walking on two legs, in contrast to other chimpanzees. In the dry season, they dig little wells to obtain drinking water, demonstrating their competence as engineers.

And compared to most other chimps, they are calmer. The Simliki Chimpanzee Project’s experts claim that there are fewer fights among them that end in injuries. They do not hunt as frequently as other chimps.

The Best Areas To View Chimpanzees In Tanzania.

Gombe Stream National Park

In 1960, Jane Goodall started her groundbreaking studies on chimpanzee behavior in Gombe. A worldwide team of ecologists and primatologists has joined her in her work, which is currently ongoing!

Tanzania’s smallest national park is called Gombe National Park. To the north of Lake Tanganyika, a little section of monkey habitat crosses river basins and cliff cliffs. Most of the animals that are left in Gombe are primates. While beachcomber olive baboons live on the forest floor, red-tailed and red-colobus monkeys prefer to be in the canopy.

Rubondo Island National Park

The waters of Lake Victoria shield Rubondo Island, offering sanctuary to threatened and endangered species. Chimpanzees arrived to the island in the 1960s, having grown up in zoos and circuses in Europe. In this setting, they have flourished and produced extraordinarily wild offspring.

Discovering this island can only be done on foot or by trekking. The island’s African grey parrots, which are among the brightest birds in the world, are a must-see, even though chimpanzees are the main draw. These parrots were taken to Tanzania from further west, where they were rescued from the illegal pet trade, despite not being native to the country. Since they share many foods, particularly figs, with chimpanzees, they may occasionally be spotted close to them. It is anticipated that a multitude of fauna will be present, such as the elusive Sitatunga antelope and the majestic hippo.

The Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale Mountains National Park is one of the best-kept secrets in Africa for seeing wildlife. Amid its verdant hills, some 800 chimpanzees call this place home. Chimpanzees are a top draw, but every morning, birds transform the hillsides into a rainbow of color. Nearly as fascinating are the monkeys, which include blue, red-tailed, and red colobus monkeys.

Hikes with monkeys are accessible year-round. The best time to visit is between July and November, when the park’s native species gather near diminishing water supplies.

The Best Areas To View Chimpanzees In Rwanda.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

With 14 different species of primates living there, Nyungwe Forest is a primate enthusiast’s paradise. Aside from chimpanzees, you might also observe critically endangered golden monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, and blue monkeys.

The majority of chimpanzees in Rwanda really reside in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Finding these monkey groups can be challenging due to their wide range; if you go chimpanzee trekking just once a year, your chances of seeing them are about one in three. Repeatedly visiting the park improves your odds.

When fig trees are bursting with fruit between June and August, there are more opportunities to see chimpanzees. For chimpanzees, a fruit-laden fig tree is like an endless free feast. Similar to humans, chimpanzees become less mobile after a large meal.

A vast network of well-maintained walking paths can be found in Nyungwe, one of which is a suspended walkway high in the canopy that allows you to glimpse animals that you might not otherwise see. It could be necessary to veer off the track if you’re looking for chimpanzees.

The Greatest Places To See Chimpanzees in Kenya

Although chimps are not indigenous to Kenya, a group of rescued chimpanzees living in the wild can be found at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Since these chimps were saved or abandoned from abuse by humans, they do not have the necessary skills to survive entirely on their own.

The chimps spend their days exploring, climbing, interacting with one another, and regaining an understanding of what it is to be a chimp when their health has been restored. This fantastic effort is partially funded by the Jane Goodall Institute.

What led to the creation of a chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya?

Early in the 1990s, a rescue center in Burundi was under danger because of the civil unrest there. Ol Pejeta consented to give these chimpanzees a secure environment.

During your visit, you could get to see some of the original chimpanzees who are content in this peaceful environment as they age gracefully.

FOR YOUR EAST AFRICAN CHIMPANZEE TREKKING SAFARI, SAVE THE DATE!

Just watching the chimpanzees in East Africa is worthwhile. But when you can go on the safari of your dreams, why stop there? See the Great Wildebeest Migration, discover regional customs, visit the Big 5, and take a hot-air balloon flight to get a bird’s-eye view of Africa! Based on your needs, we will tailor your trip. Please get in touch with us right away.