Chimpanzee trekking in East Africa | Best Chimpanzee Safari (info)
Is chimpanzee trekking worth the money? Where can I go for chimpanzee trekking in East Africa? Are chimps in East Africa? Discover more about the captivating chimpanzee trekking in East Africa; best destinations, the prices/cost, chimpanzee safari packages, the best time to go for chimpanzee trek, what to pack, and everything else you want to learn about chimpanzee tracking in Africa.
Chimpanzee trekking in East Africa without a doubt one of the best primate safari adventures worth taking part in. The East African chimpanzee safari expeditions are a great deal to every primate enthusiast. Trekking with chimpanzees in East Africa entirely involves immersing yourself in the jungles to search for an already habituated chimpanzee community. Beyond the mere search, primate seekers get to unearth the unique behaviors of chimpanzees in their natural habitat and take as many photos as possible.
Chimpanzee encounter with Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd the leading premium Africa Safaris and primate Tour Company guarantees you an unforgettable wilderness experience. You embark on a journey to witness the stunning chimpanzee community in the wild. Chimps are our closest relatives, sharing over 98.7% of their DNA with humans. This makes them the closest apes to human beings. On chimpanzee trekking in East Africa, you make a great comparison between us humans and these large apes.
Overall, over 21,000 to 55,000 chimpanzees survive in the wild today, specifically in the leading East African chimpanzee safari destinations. Top destinations for chimpanzee trekking in East Africa including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Congo.
Top-rated chimpanzee trekking destinations in East Africa
Below are top rated and best chimpanzee trekking destinations in East Africa
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
Experience the best chimpanzee trekking in Uganda with Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd. Uganda is exceptionally the leading chimpanzee tracking tour destination in East Africa. In Uganda alone, roughly 5050 chimpanzees are distributed in various parts of the country. In Uganda, there are numerous sites to consider for chimpanzee tracking in the Pearl of Africa.
Top places to visit to experience the best chimpanzee trekking in Uganda include Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Budongo Forest, and the least visited Semliki.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, the primate capital of the world guarantees you ultimate encounter with the Eastern chimpanzee community in the wild. About 1500 chimpanzees out of the 5050 individuals that are surviving in Uganda all exist in the lush rainforest of Kibale National Park. Kibale was officially gazetted as a park in 1993 and currently, it spans over 795 sq. km. Chimpanzees are part of Kibale’s 13 diverse species of primates.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale is best done starting with a briefing at the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre. About 4-5 habituated chimp communities are available for primate seekers in Kibale to explore. Additional primates to encounter on a guided Kibale chimp trek include the grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, patas monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys.
Visitors on primate safari and plan to explore Kibale chimpanzees should have valid chimp permits.
Cost/prices of chimpanzee trekking in Kibale
A single Kibale chimpanzee permit can be obtained at USD 250 for visitors under the category of foreign nonresidents. The foreign residents USD 200 per person for foreign residents and the East African Community citizens which includes Ugandans pay UGX 180,000.
A chimpanzee trekking permit and safaris can be booked safely through the local tour operator; info@premiumafricasafaris.com |flawlessadventureplanners@gmail.com, WhatsApp/Contact our team directly; +256-782-045-763, +256-781-376-747. Book your permit and chimp trekking tour in advance at least 2-6 months before the actual date of visiting Kibale National Park to see chimpanzees.
Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kyambura is a perfect location to enjoy a trek to see chimpanzees before or after a captivating Big game safari. Kyambura chimp permits cost USD 100 for foreign nonresidents USD 80 for foreign residents and Ugandans + East Africa Community citizens UGX. 50,000. The cost of chimp trekking permits excludes rental car prices, accommodation, meals, and other personal expenses. It only covers the guide fee, entrance fee for Kibale, and trekking experience with chimpanzees.
Chimpanzees in Rwanda
The best chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is best enjoyed in the lush Nyungwe Forest National Park or Gishwati-Mukura National Park. A Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking permit is a must-have for you to be allowed to go for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park, home to over 500 chimpanzees. Chimp trekking in Nyungwe is excellently enjoyed starting from the two locations that are in the Cyamudongo and Uwinka sectors.
Over 13 primates survive in Nyungwe and on your chimp trek, expect to come across some of them. They include colobus monkeys, bush babies, red-tailed monkeys, pottos, vervet monkeys, silver monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, and others.
There are also several birds to find along the way on a Nyungwe chimp trek including Rwenzori nightjars, Rwenzori turacos, regal sunbirds, purple-breasted sunbirds, Grauer’s warblers, and others.
Cost of Nyungwe chimpanzee permits
The foreign nonresidents are charged USD 250 to book a Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking permit. Foreign residents USD 75 and East African residents pay USD 25 per person. The prices for chimpanzee trekking permits for Nyungwe Forest National Park include the fee for a guide, security on the actual chimp trek, local community support, and an hour with chimpanzees.
Gishwati-Mukura is the newly created park and is most preferred for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda. On the Rwanda safari holiday, Gishwati-Mukura is one of the best places to consider visiting for trekking chimps. The park extends up to 34 sq. km and also holds other wildlife including the blue monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, olive baboons, and black and white colobus monkeys.
Birds also exist in this lush protected area for you to encounter including the martial eagle, Rwenzori batis, regal sunbird, Mountain yellow warblers, Dusky crimsonwing, red-throated alethe, and more.
Chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania
The best places for chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania include Gombe National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park. A trek with a Tanzania chimp fills primate enthusiasts with thrilling adventures. Mahale National Park lies on the Eastern side of Lake Tanganyika, Uvinza district, Kigoma region in Tanzania. It is 1650 sq. km and protects more than chimpanzees.
Lying at an elevation of 2400 meters, Mahale Mountains National Park is also home to other animals like elephants, buffaloes, leopards, giraffes, mongoose, blue duikers, wild dogs, and squirrels.
Gombe National Park also lies in Kigoma district in Tanzania but occupies a compact area measuring 35 sq. km. It is set in the Eastern side of Lake Tanganyika and accessible by boat. This park features woodland, grassland, and steep valleys, and is among the 2 popular conservancy areas where chimpanzees can be encountered on Tanzania safaris.
Chimpanzees in Congo
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, expect to encounter not only mountain gorillas, or eastern lowland gorillas. There are also chimpanzees to explore in the finest protected areas in Congo including the Virunga National Park. The only difference Congo has from the popular chimpanzee trekking destinations in Africa is that most of its chimpanzees are still undergoing a habituation process.
What is chimpanzee trekking in East Africa like?
A chimp trek in East Africa includes an early morning briefing on chimpanzee trekking guidelines and the allocation of park ranger guides. The briefing usually begins from 6:30 am at the respective park offices and at around 8:00 am, you can be accompanied by the park ranger guide to search for chimpanzees.
The actual trek with East African chimpanzees can last for 2-4 hours on moderate trek. But this includes an hour for you to enjoy up close with chimpanzees in the wild. During the one hour of close interaction, expect to take as many pictures as you can. Ensure that you have a strong camera battery and enough space.
Chimpanzee trekking rules to follow
Like mountain gorilla trekking or any African safari activity, there are essential guidelines to be observed. On chimpanzee trekking in East Africa, here are some of the rules and regulations to follow;
- A maximum of an hour should be observed with the chimp community in the wild regardless of the destination in East Africa.
- During photography, do not use a flashlight camera. You can turn off the flashlight before you begin the actual photography session.
- Do not litter the chimpanzee habitat whether you are trekking chimps in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, or Congo.
- Only visitors above 12 years can be allowed to trek chimps and ensure that you are free from infectious diseases like flu and cough.
- Keep low your voice when on the search for chimps.
- Keep a distance of 8-10 meters away from chimpanzees in the wild.
- Always observe the instructions from your park ranger guide.
- Do not try or tempt touch chimpanzees.
- Stay calm in case the chimpanzee charges at you.
- Burry all human wastes to the depth as directed by the park ranger guide.
What to pack for the East African chimpanzee trekking tour
Pack appropriately for a chimpanzee trekking adventure in East Africa. Essentials should always come first including waterproof hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, a sweater, a daypack, a camera, extra batteries, sunglasses, and long trousers. You also require bottled water, snacks, rain jackets, first-aid kits, and others.
When to go for chimpanzee trekking in East Africa
Chimpanzees in East Africa can be visited at any time of the year. But the best time to enjoy the most of the chimpanzee trek is during the peak dry season which is from June to September or December to February.
Is chimpanzee trekking in East Africa worth it?
100% YES! Chimp trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Congo is worth every penny, effort, and sacrifice. Chimps are endangered species and by traveling to engage in chimpanzee trek, what you pay is used to help in conservation efforts to save their lives in the wild. Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd is a sustainable tourism company you should deal with to plan and book your chimp trekking tours or all primate safari adventures in East Africa.
Talk to our experts now to start planning and book an unforgettable Rwanda safari holiday, the best Uganda safari, Luxury Rwanda safari, and more. Choose from our enriching East Africa tour packages and be guaranteed captivating primate or wildlife experiences such as chimpanzee trekking in East Africa’s most popular sites.