Chimpanzee Flying Safaris: These primates are one of the red-listed IUCN wild species that are under threat of extinction due to certain human behaviors, such as poaching and deforestation, among others. Chimpanzees are believed by scientists to be our closest relatives, sharing approximately 98% of our human DNA. In East Africa, chimpanzees are only found in three countries, which are Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. In Uganda, chimpanzees are found in the Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Kibale Forest National Park, among other locations. In Rwanda, chimpanzees are found in Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati Mukura National Park. Chimpanzee flying safaris offer an extra blend of adventure and wildlife viewing, particularly of chimpanzees. On such flying safaris, in most cases, domestic air flights are used by tourists from one travel destination to another.
Why Is It Good to Use Air Transport on Such Safaris?
Since most of the tourist destinations that happen to have chimpanzees are found in remote areas, opting to use air transport would be the best way to travel more comfortably, save time, and also save a lot of energy to carry out different activities, such as chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation
What is the difference between chimpanzee trekking and habituation?
Chimpanzee trekking is a tourist activity that involves tourists searching for chimpanzees in their natural habitats with the help of guides and rangers, and when found, they are allowed to spend no more than 1 hour with the chimpanzees. While chimpanzee habituation is a tourist activity that involves searching for the chimpanzees in their natural habitat, and when found, the tourists can spend more than an hour in their presence.
What Should I Consider When Doing a Chimpanzee Flying Safari?
When choosing to do chimpanzee safaris, you should consider making early bookings of both the aircraft and either the chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation permits.
You should also compare the packages and the cost of the flight. Although it may turn out a little bit more expensive, trust me, it will be worth it all in the end and more convenient for people who love keeping time and traveling alone. On landing, the transportation means to transfer you to either your lodge or the park will be provided to you.
In most cases, the chimpanzee trekking activity is open to tourists or visitors who are 15 years of age and above. Those below this age bracket and 12 years and above have a chance of doing chimpanzee trekking only in Kalinzu Forest, in case they are interested.
What To Pack For Chimpanzee Trekking In Uganda?
There are different things or items that you should consider when packing for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. These items or things will give you comfort and boost your enjoyment during a chimpanzee trekking safari or tour in Uganda. Some of these things or items include
Trekking/hiking boots
You should either pack trekking or hiking boots so that you can move with ease during the chimpanzee trekking activity and also protect your legs from injuries like scratches and insect bites.
Raincoat or rain jacket
Packing either of the two will be very good since chimpanzees are found or trekked in forests, which are very cold most of the time, and it can also rain at any time of the day. So, to keep yourself warm and dry from raindrops, it would be better if you bring along either a raincoat or a rain jacket.
Flashless camera and extra batteries
For the sake of photography for memory keeping, you should consider packing or bringing along a flashless camera to help you capture all the beautiful moments. Extra batteries should be packed just in case the camera batteries die, because there are no charging ports in the forests, yet photos will be needed.
Insect repellant
Since you will be searching for these chimpanzees deep down in the forests, it will be very good if you think about your well-being and pack some insect repellent, which you will be needing to apply on your skin to protect yourself from insect bites since these insects will be all over the whole place throughout the chimpanzee trekking process because the forest happens to be their home.
Hat or cape
Either of the two will help protect your head from the direct sunlight during the chimpanzee trekking period.
Long-sleeved shirt
Putting on a long-sleeved shirt will help protect your hands from all the insect bites, scratches from tree branches, and allergies that may come as a result of getting into contact with certain plants, to mention a few.
Trousers
Just like the way the long-sleeved shirt will protect your hands, trousers will also help protect your legs from all the dangers that may come their way.
What are the airstrips near the chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda?
There are several airstrips around Uganda where domestic flights can land for travelers interested in the chimpanzee trekking destinations. Most of these flights start from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airstrip to several airstrips around the country.
Some of the airstrips include the following:
Pakuba airstrip
This airstrip is within the Murchison Falls National Park, which is one of Uganda’s largest national parks. Pakuba airstrip is near the Budongo forest reserve, which is within the park.
Kasese Airstrip
Kasese Airstrip is situated in western Uganda in the Kasese district near the Kasese-Mbarara highway. This airstrip is near several chimpanzee destinations like Kibale National Park and Kymabura Gorge.
How is chimpanzee trekking done or conducted in Uganda?
Chimpanzee trekking, just like mountain gorilla trekking, starts early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters, where tourists or visitors are given the rules and regulations or guidelines for the chimpanzee trekking activity. After the briefing, tourists are then divided into groups of about 8 people and handed over to a tour guide with rangers and a chimpanzee family trail to trek on. The trek may take approximately 2-5 hours of searching, depending on the location of the chimpanzees and the trekking or walking pace of the tourists or visitors. On finding a chimpanzee family, tourists are given approximately 1 hour to spend in the presence of these endangered species.
In conclusion, chimpanzee trekking is a very interesting tourist activity that you should look forward to doing when you visit Uganda and get to know why Uganda is the country in the world with a primate capital.