Chimpanzees are without doubt the key attractions in Kibale National Park. Over 1500 of about 5050 chimpanzees in Uganda all live in the lush tropical forest of Kibale National Park- KNP. This makes it not only a home to highest chimpanzee population in the Pearl of Africa, but also an ideal chimpanzee trekking spot in East Africa.
Amazingly, chimpanzee trekking presents a great opportunity to all nature lovers on Uganda safaris to enjoy a close encounter with chimpanzees right in the wild. This is a distinct experience unlike while you are at the zoo. Chimpanzees are unique primates on earth and they share over 98.7% of their DNA with humans and an encounter with them for 1 hour allows you make comparisons between humans and these apes.
Chimpanzees live in communities of up to 100 individuals and in average, 18 chimpanzees per chimp community. Kibale National Park protects mainly the Eastern chimpanzees and while on Uganda safaris, it is one spot to consider visiting especially while on a gorilla safari to Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The Chimpanzee frequently called a Chimp is known to be the existing animal closest in nature to human and is believed to share 98% of their DNA with humans.
The weight of a mature well grown male chimpanzee is approximated to be between 35 – 70 kilograms and close to three meters tall whereas the female grow up to 26 – 50 kilograms and height of 2 – 4 feet.
Chimpanzees’ life expectancy is at 40 years although some can live up to 60 years.
Several efforts have been acknowledges, put in place and supported to conserve the chimpanzees with a total population of more than 1400 chimps living in this forest. The Jane Goodall Foundation has played a significant role in conserving not only mountain Gorillas but the Chimpanzees as well in Uganda. Unique about Kibale Forest is that it is not only habitat to the chimpanzee but to 12 other primate species among which are: the blue monkeys, pottos monkey, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, red colobus, grey-cheeked mangabeys, bush babies, L’Hoest’s monkey, red-tailed monkeys and the black and white colobus monkeys.
Guided Chimpanzee tracking of the habituated chimpanzee families in done in this forest and this has been the main reason as to why several people set out to visit this national park. The Guided walks within the forest are conducted daily and guests are allowed to take part in the habituation process of chimpanzees starting early in the morning when the chimps are de-nesting and in the evening when they lay their nests for the overnight Chimp tracking is very exciting since you get the chance to marvel at the human-like activities of these apes. The tracking requires less walking as compared to gorilla tracking and it is very rewarding as you see chimps jumping from one tree brunch to another searching for fruits while others spend some time on the ground.
The chimpanzees are recognized as the most prominent habitats in this verdant forest with a great number of them taking shelter here. The Kanyanchu River-Camp group or family of chimpanzees was back in 1991 habituated and is open for tourism activity.
Quick Info About Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees are our closest relatives among other primates. They differ from human by only 1.3 % of their DNA make up. They leave in a variety of environments in Central and Western Africa; they can live in tropical rain forests, swamp forests, woodlands, grassland. They are very intelligent animals as compared to other species of animals. They have senses which are much related to human like hearing, test, smell, touch and sight. They have very long arms which are even longer than their legs, and a male chimpanzee is bigger weighs about 70 kg (150 lb) and taller than the female.
Chimpanzee majorly feed on leaves, seeds, fruits, flowers, plant bulbs. They also eat termites, ants, and also small animals and they also drink water. Chimpanzee are also regarded as social animals, they live in small groups of about 40-60 individuals and their life span is about 35-40 years. Like gorillas Chimpanzees also face serious threats, including habitat destruction from commercial logging, slash-and-burn agricultural practices and various mining activities. They also face illegal poaching of animals for bush meat
Chimpanzee in Uganda are seen in Kibale forest National Park which is located in the southwestern part of Uganda in the district of Kamwenge about 4-5 hours from the capital city Kampala,this park only is a home over 13 species of primates like black and white colobus monkey,civet monkey, baboons, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, L’Hoest’s Gentle ( Blue) and Red-tailed Monkeys just to mention but a few. Chimps can also be seen in Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kyambura gorge), Ngamba Island a chimpanzee refuge in Lake Victoria that cares for orphanage chimps and also in Budongo forest Reserve near Murchison Falls National Park with a community of more than 600 chimps. Uganda is expected to have about 5,000 chimpanzees divided over about twelve forest blocks.
Chimpanzees are social primates, intelligent and they follow hierarchies. An alpha male is usually the leader in chimp community. He is the one that is responsible protecting the rest of the chimpanzees- females, infants, etc. Chimpanzees have unique communication traits; they have unique body language expression. They bark, pant and hoot as a way to communicate to each other and emotionally, facial expressions are used.
Chimpanzees are also capable of using tools to dig out insects, harvest fruits, open nuts, etc. They make new nests daily for overnight sleep and their diet is largely comprised of fruits, leaves, shoots. In captivity, chimpanzees can live up to 60 years and they weigh about 70kgs.
Chimpanzees are vulnerable to predators such as leopards and human infectious diseases. They are victims to snares, plus other traps often set up to catch small animal species especially antelopes.
Best time to visit chimpanzees of Kibale
Kibale National Park is open to visitors on chimpanzee safari at any time of the year. It is one destination that enjoys favorable weather conditions all year-round but chimpanzee trekking is best done during the dry season. This is either during the extended dry season or short dry season. The extended or long dry season runs from June to September and short drier months include December, January & February.
Chimpanzee rules
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale is available for all visitors above 12 years.
- Strictly 6 people trek a single chimpanzee community.
- Each group of 6 (six) tourists is led by an experienced Kibale National Park guide.
- Use of flashlight camera isn’t accepted when taking pictures.
- Ill or sick tourists aren’t allowed to visit chimpanzees of Kibale.
- Eating, drinking or smoking before chimps isn’t allowed.