Best places to trek chimpanzees in Uganda
Best places to trek chimpanzees in Uganda
Uganda is one of the top places in Africa where you can go for chimpanzee trekking in the wild and also out of the wildlife; the country is blessed with diverse forest cover which is perfect habitat for chimpanzees.
1. Kibale forest national park
Kibale Forest National Park is one of Uganda’s most spectacular tropical rainforest parks; best known as the primate capital of the world. Founded in 1993, the Kibale forest features over 13 primate species including over 1500 wild chimpanzees, Besides chimpanzees, there are also other Apes that help to boost primate walks in the park some of which include the localized Red colobus, endemic Uganda Mangabey, the rare L’Hoests monkey, olive baboons, pottos, bush baby, Red-tailed monkey, Black and white colobus monkey, blue monkey among others.
2. Kyambura gorge Queen Elizabeth national park
The Kyambura Gorge is a low lying forest situated in the heart of the Rift valley in Queen Elizabeth national park, this magnificent forest sits amidst the savannah underneath the mountains of the moon commonly known as Rwenzori and this exceptional forest is crossed by River chambura which acts as a key asset for wildlife during the dry season.
Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, visitors stand a pretty good chance of hearing and seeing our distant cousins as they are habituated.
The 16 km long and 100 meters wide gorge is not only famous for chimp trekking but it’s a home to big game like hippos, elephants, lions, leopards, waterbucks, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus and abundant birdlife.
3. Budongo forest reserve Murchison Falls national park
Budongo forest is a phenomenal rainforest sitting at the edge of the Congo biome and its one of the best places in Uganda to see the west African endemic species in Uganda, the forest is closure to Semuliki forest which borders the ituri forest and birds migrate across the eco-system, This is the biggest Mahogany forest found in the whole of East Africa as well as habitat to the largest number of chimpanzees throughout Uganda. The major tourist sites within this forest are the Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism site, Busingiro Ecotourism site, and Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism site which is located at boundaries to Murchison Falls National Park and dominated by Mahogany and Iron-wood trees.
The 115-kilometer expanse is a remote chunk of the Budongo forest. The forest’s close proximity to Murchison falls national park offers a safe haven for other wildlife like elephants, Lions, Leopards as well as Buffaloes. Early in the morning is the ideal time for nature walks because then you will have an opportunity to find a number of the forest inhabitants licking salt by the forest glades? River Waiga offers refreshment to the various wildlife species within this forest.
4. Kalinzu central forest reserve near Queen Elizabeth national park
Kalinzu Central forest reserve is extraordinary piece of natural wonder located at the edge of the Great Rift Valley near Queen Elizabeth national park, the explosive craters and Maramagambo forest. The forest reserve is a home to a number of animal species, primates being the dominant species ,chimpanzees and several species of monkeys are residents of this forest a long side duikers and bush bucks and over 350 species of birds exist in the forest with over 200 butterflies. There also other animals are seen roaming in the forest such as baboons, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys, Vervet monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys, nocturnal animals like bush babies, Pottos, and Galagos. The forest reserve has 414 species of trees, 98 moths, flowers, and reptiles.
5. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary
This Island is a small forested Island located in Lake Victoria the largest freshwater lake in Africa. This Chimpanzee sanctuary is where all rescued Chimpanzees are being taken care of. Chimpanzees live in communities in most forests of Uganda-Africa. Many animal traffickers do target primates including Chimpanzees, because of this; they are endangered and need our protection and care. Due to the fact that you can never tell where a given Chimp came from after rescue, they cannot be taken back to their natural habitat but to Ngamba Island. Cruise with our Ngamba Island Boat excursion to the Island and study; appreciate how to conserve our closed cousins the Chimpanzees.
6. Uganda wildlife education center
Popularly known as “Entebbe Zoo”, UWEC was opened in 1952, by the Colonial Government in Uganda, as a reception center for wild animals that were found as casualties.
It’s beyond seeing and learning about animals. Participate in; corporate events, behind-the-scenes experiences, dine at our restaurant, have your children enjoy the play facilities and much more throughout the year!
