Chimpanzee trekking is one of the primate activities that you can engage in during your safaris to Uganda or Rwanda. Encountering these chimpanzees in these two countries, the experience is totally different.
The tracked chimpanzees are first habituated so that they get used to the human presence. This habituation process takes about 2 years, conducted by a group of researchers.
Chimpanzees share 98% of their DNA with humans. In the comparison of the chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, it’s based on the destinations where the activity is done.
Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda
Rwanda is one of the destinations around the world where you can engage in chimp trekking. Chimp trekking in Rwanda is done in the Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is situated in the southwestern part of Rwanda near the borders of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This park is an ancient and vast forest with several primates that you can encounter on a Rwanda safari.
This park was established in 2004, covering a total area of 1019 square kilometers. It is also situated near Lake Kivu, which is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Rwanda.
In this park, there are about 13 primate species including the chimpanzee, and over 310 bird species. There are several chimpanzee habituated communities.
Some of the chimpanzee habituated communities in this park include;
Uwinka community
Uwinka community is located in the central part of the Nyungwe Forest National Park and is one of the best communities to track during safaris in Rwanda. It is the largest community in the park that is near the Uwinka park offices.
Gisovu community
This is one of the newly habituated communities in the park that is situated in the main Nyungwe forest. This family is not so familiar with human presence, and they usually flee away.
It is near the Kibuye town which lies in the north of the park, and one of the difficult families to track. Travelers interested in tracking this family can easily combine it with the Lake Kivu safari experience.
Cyamundongo community.
The Cyamundongo community is within the Cyamundongo forest reserve, which is made up of lush vegetation and dense woodlands. In this community, there are about 30 members, and easier to track since the members are limited in number.
What is the cost of tracking chimpanzee in the Nyungwe Forest National Park?
Tracking chimpanzee requires you to have a chimpanzee trekking permit. Chimpanzee trekking permit is a legal document that is issued by the government for anyone interested in the activity.
As a traveler, to acquire a chimpanzee permit you are supposed to use a reliable and licensed tour operator. The cost of the chimpanzee trekking permit includes 150 USD for foreign non-residents, 75 USD for foreign residents, and 25 USD for East African residents.
The cost of the chimpanzee permit in Kibale National Park excludes the park entrance fees which are paid on arrival at the park include 100 USD for foreign non-residents,60 USD for foreign residents,and 60 USD for East African residents.
Moving on, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda presents another distinctive option.
Uganda is another interesting destination for those on a safari for the chimpanzee trekking. The country has a significant number of chimpanzees in its population.
On a safari to Uganda to see the chimpanzees, there are a variety of locations to observe them. Some of the destinations in Uganda where to engage in the chimpanzee trekking include;
Kibale National Park.
This park is located in western Uganda and is home to several chimpanzees. The first chimpanzee habituation in Uganda was conducted.
This park is home to the highest number of chimpanzees in Uganda, with an estimated 1,500 individuals living within 12 communities surrounding the park. The chimpanzee trekking activity has been taking place in this park since 1993.
To see the chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, you are required to have a chimpanzee trekking permit. This permit is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
The cost of the chimpanzee trekking permit includes 250 USD for foreign non-residents, 200 USD for foreign residents, and 180000 UGX for the East African residents.
Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge is also tagged as a valley of apes is located on the Eastern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This gorge was named after the Kyambura River that flows through the gorge.
In this gorge, there are several habituated chimpanzee communities, and each day , there are about 8 permits. The cost of the chimp permit to encounter chimps in the Kyambura Gorge includes $ 100 for foreign non-residents, $50 for foreign residents, and 50,000 UGX for East African residents.
The cost of the chimpanzee permit excludes the park entrance fees, which are as follows: 40 USD for foreign non-residents, 30 USD for foreign residents, and 20,000 UGX for East African residents.
Kalinzu forest
Kalinzu forest is within western Uganda close to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, adjacent to the Maramagambo forest reserve. It is under the Management of the Uganda National Forestry.
It is a great destination for chimpanzee trekking since it has several habituated chimpanzee communities. In this forest, there are about 300 chimpanzees, and about 70 of them are habituated for tracking.
The cost of the chimpanzee trekking permit is about 130 USD for foreign non-residents,65 USD for foreign residents,and 30000UGX for the East African residents.
Budongo forest
Budongo forest is another interesting destination for chimpanzee trekking, which is situated within the Murchison Falls National Park. It takes place in the Kaniyo Pabidi Eco Tourism Site.
To encounter the chimpanzee in the Budongo forest, you are required to have a chimp trek, and the cost includes 130 USD for foreign non-residents,120 USD for foreign residents,and 85 USD for East African residents.
Bugoma forest
This is one of the newly introduced destinations for the chimpanzee trekking that was introduced on 15th August 2024. Bugoma forest is located within western Uganda near Lake Albert.
The forest is also under the management of the Uganda Forestry Authority, and the forest is home to over 500 chimpanzee families. The cost of the chimpanzee permit is about 130 USD.
Comparisons in sessions for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Chimpanzee trekking experience differs from the trekking experience. Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda has one trekking session that usually starts early Morning at around 0500 hours, whereas the chimpanzee trekking in Uganda has two trekking sessions that include the morning and afternoon sessions.
Now, let’s compare the chimpanzee populations found in Uganda and Rwanda.
The chimpanzee population in Uganda is considered to be the highest in Africa compared to other chimpanzee populations in Rwanda. The chimpanzee population in Uganda is about 2000 chimpanzees, while in Rwanda, it is about 500 in number.
In conclusion, the chimpanzee trekking in Uganda offers the best experience since it has other added experiences like chimpanzee habituation compared to that of Rwanda.