Chimpanzee tracking is among the most sought after adventure activities done on Uganda safaris. In fact, it is the second most popular adventure activity after gorilla tracking.
Like gorilla watching, the activity of chimpanzee tracking was developed following guidelines that are aimed at controlling mass tourism. There are set rules for chimpanzee watching and regulations are provided to advise the travelers about the experience of chimpanzee tracking or habituation while tracking in the forest.
The rules and regulations are put in place to safe guide Kibale national park just like any other park. These are estimated by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the government agency in charge of all protected areas in Uganda.
These rules were set to protect the endangered chimpanzees also the visitors being the major key point to follow while in their nature habitat in the tropical rain forest and it’s the reason why habituation chimpanzees need to go through 2 to 3 years under a training process in order to get used to human sights to their nature inhabits and do not scamper away during your visit.
Below are the Key Rules and Regulations followed while on chimpanzee Tracking
Carrying Capacity
The number of trekkers limited for chimp trekking is eight visitors with guides who spot the chimps for visitors to see. The trekkers are worse again restricted by one hour visit, cameras without flashlights, not eating in the presence of chimps, not leaving unwanted food in the forest.
The maximum number of groups to trek chimps are three and those are 18 visitors and 21 people in all with guides and rangers per day. The chimp trekking begins early morning and afternoon hours.
Only people above 12 years and above are allowed to trek chimps.
Trekkers who are ill with flue, cough and diarrhea are not allowed to trek chimps in the park because chimps will easily be affected.
Chimpanzee tracking rules and regulations;
- Visitors are requested to keep a distance of at least 7 to 8 meters away from chimpanzees
- Don’t provoke our dear chimpanzees leave them in their freedom
- Don’t smoke in the forest while tracking chimpanzees.
- Sick visitors are allowed to track chimps, ill from cold, diarrhea, flu, malaria can be easily infected by them since share 98% DNA to humans.
- If you feel like easing, you should ask a guide to make you a hole off the trail and after bury your waste at least 30 cent kilometers deep with tissue used.
- Visitors should try to lower on your voice while in the forest
- There is a limited number of 8 people allowed to track
- Always stay in the group when you meet these apes in their nature environment and too much noise not allowed.
- This experience can take 2 to 8 hours depending on their previous movements.
- Always be attentive on guide’s instructions
- Trackers are allowed only one to observe these creatures in the wilderness
In general Uganda is a gifted country to host the most top primitive destination in East Africa, harboring more than 5,000 individual’s chimpanzees.
What is the Minimum Age for Chimpanzee Tracking
The minimum age allowed to participate in half or whole day habituated experience is 15 years above, in Uganda’s Kibale Forest and Budongo forest in Murchison Falls national park. In Kalinzu forest the minimum age is 12 years old. However, the age limit is administered by the ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Additional notes
- Rules and regulations are available in the reception at the gate, and in the Visitors Centre.
- Bookings are recommended for all types of walks, especially in the high season.
- The Great Ape Guidelines are adhered to including maximum viewing time of one hour per visitor group, a minimum of 5 metres distance is enforced between visitors and chimpanzees and the minimum age of viewing chimpanzees is 16 years.
- Activities for children are being developed at the centre, including fun & educational forest walks. These are being developed for local school children & visitors with families.
- Guided walks are conducted by knowledgeable Ranger Guides who offer diverse and interesting information about the plants and the animals they encounter during their walk, including all aspects of forest ecology, and of course chimpanzee behaviour.
- The number of visitors is limited to six people per group
- Gum boots are available for hire, particularly recommended during the wet season.
- Mountain bikes are available for hire, to cover some places of interest neighboring the Park.
Can Anyone Participate in Chimpanzee Tracking
Not everyone can participate in primate safaris in Uganda. You must be aged 15 or over and in good physical and mental condition. To maintain the health (and safety) of the chimpanzee, you are not allowed to join the activity if you are sick, because chimpanzees are susceptible to many of the viruses that affect humans. There is also a limited amount of people that can visit the chimps and the time to be near them is also limited. Tracking groups are then split into six people, seven including the ranger.
The briefing must be conducted at 7am at Kanyanchu headquarters in Kibale Park and searching for chimps in the jungle should start at 8am. Trekkers take 2-3 hours looking for chimps.
It is advisable for trekkers to keep a distance of 8m away from chimps in order to keep calm environment for chimps.
Just like gorilla trekking, chimp trekkers are told to pack long sleeved t-shirts and trousers, comfortable hiking shoes, rain coat, long stockings to prevent safari ants from biting them, insect repellent and cameras.
Conclusion, Chimpanzee tracking is quite interesting and memorable experience in life time as you meeting with your closely related cousins in their protected nature habitats of Kibale forest. This activity acts two or more experience, through giving you a chance to watch other species found in the forest during your tracking time such wild species to see include; small primates like black and white colobus monkeys, Olive baboons, Red monkeys, Green vegetation, notable bird species, beautiful butterflies, tree species.