Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
History:
In 1962, there was first survey of chimpanzees in Uganda. This survey was about the distribution of chimpanzees in different destinations in Uganda.5000 is the estimated number of chimpanzees in Uganda.
Destinations with chimpanzees in Uganda
Uganda has different destinations with chimpanzee tracking include kibale national park, budongo forest and Queen Elizabeth national park. Kibale national park is a home of more than 1200 chimpanzees in east Africa and is located in the south-western region of Uganda.
Uganda has a large number of chimpanzee compared to other countries like Tanzania and Rwanda.
A part from chimpanzee trekking in kibale national park, budongo forest and Queen Elizabeth national park, there are other activities to do like bird watching in budongo, nature walk in kibale national park and forest walks and wildlife safaris.
These parks, kibale, Murchison falls and Queen Elizabeth national park have other animals like climbing lions, elephants, leopard, red-monkeys, species of trees and some gorillas.
What you should carry while carrying out chimpanzee trekking in Uganda:
The following are equipment for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda include packed lunch, snacks, trekking shoes, long-sleeved shirts since your passing through the juggle there are thorns and mosquitoes and rubber boots that helps in chimpanzee trekking.
How to access chimpanzees in Uganda as a destination:
Before accessing chimpanzee trekking you should be aware of buying a chimpanzee trekking permit in advance from Uganda wildlife authority and a permit stays for one hour. When you’re going for chimpanzee trekking are rules given by tour guides to follow in the park and these include, there should be 8m between you and the chimpanzee, eating in front of a chimpanzee is prohibited, sick people are not allowed to trek and participants should be at least 12 years and above old. So those are the rules one has to follow while carrying out a chimpanzee trekking.
There are several ways to access chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and these include
By road and air,
For example if one is heading to kibale national park and is travelling by road, you can use Kampala-fort portal through Mubende town and from Kampala to kibale is 309.4km and a drive of 5hours.
You can also fly from Entebbe international airport to kasese airstrip.
If you’re using a plane one can fly from Entebbe which is the international airport in Uganda. If your visiting budongo forest in Murchison falls you can land on pakuba airfield that’s 9km from the north paraa.
When using a road the drive takes only 4 hours and its 6 hours from Fort Portal.
Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking:
Chimpanzee trekking is best during the dry seasons of June to September and December to February. During the dry seasons the trek is enjoyable and dry .Uganda has equatorial climate meaning that temperatures are consistent throughout the year and if you’re comfortable with visiting during the rainy season can reduce the cost of your trip because permits are cheap due to low demand of visitors.
So come for chimpanzee trekking and experience their beauty, intelligence and social structures.
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