Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is mainly carried out in Kibale National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Kibale National Park
Kibale, with a lush tropical rain forest and fascinating diversity of animals is certainly worth visiting as it is a habitat to man’s closest primates; the endangered chimpanzees. Chimpanzee habituation is an ongoing activity that entails following up the chimps to get them used to human presence without altering their natural behavior. Kibale National Park was formerly known as Kibale forest reserve and was gazetted in 1932. In 1948, it became a Forest Park covering 560sq.km. In 1992, it was conserved and was later declared a National Park in 1993. A game corridor that joins Queen Elizabeth National Park was added to it, making it 776sq.km. It covers Kamwenge, Kasese, Kyenjojo and Kabarole districts. With a breathtaking large expanse of a tropical forest and a fascinating diversity of animals, Kibale Forest National Park is one of the most stunning forests of Uganda. It is a montane and mixed tropical deciduous forest.
Note: A chimp permit costs 50 dollars per person in Kibale Park prior booking for clients. The time varies as you can trek in the morning or evening; it depends on your choice.
Chimpanzee habituation
Kyambura Wildlife Reserve
This reserve is located on the eastern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is a V-shaped cliff and an Open savannah and Forest vegetation. It is 16km from the south to the north. It is 100m deep and 500m wide. Within the gorge is a flowing river known as River Kyambura. 30 Chimpanzees are habituated in the gorge. While on habituation, you expect to experience the chimps denesting between 5:30 am and 6:30 am and then follow them up in their daily activities up to the time of nesting (making nests and going to sleep) between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Ngamba Island Sanctuary
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is an eco-friendly project established to promote sustainable tourism in Uganda. It is located 23km from Entebbe near the equator in Lake Victoria. The sanctuary caters for endangered chimps that have been orphaned as a result of poaching activities and illegal trading. The sanctuary is non-profit and therefore committed to the welfare and conservation of wildlife. There are other animals like monkeys, hippos and also bird species