Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Uganda.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience at Kibale National Park Chimpanzee habituation is the act of allowing wild chimpanzees to become adapted to human presence around them through repeated, long, and persistent visits conducted by competent researchers and park guides/wardens.
According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, it might take up to two years for chimps to become entirely accustomed to the presence of humans. Wild chimps will flee or view people suspiciously.
Chimpanzee habituation experience is only slightly more expensive than standard chimpanzee habituation experience, making it a better value for money.
Unfortunately, chimpanzee habituation experiences are not yet possible in Rwanda. In East Africa, it can only be done in Kibale National Park in Uganda and Tanzania.
Expect to be escorted by armed rangers or guards while trekking chimps.
By firing in the air, the rangers scare away other wild animals, such as buffaloes and elephants, which could endanger visitors.
Chimpanzee Habituation in Kibale, Uganda Unlike typical chimp tracking, visitors to the chimp habituation experience spend the entire day following these incredible creatures.
The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience is more strenuous, as visitors participate in all habituation-related activities, as opposed to the 4-hour trip, which keeps tourists at a distance.
Visitors must rise up before dawn to meet the guides and search for the chimps before they leave their nests.
In this manner, you will be able to observe them awaken and prepare for the day’s tasks, such as feeding, resting, taking care of their young, protecting their territories and finally building their nests on top of trees.
Chimpanzees are extremely stubborn, rebellious, and noisy. Trackers can identify them by their hoots and loud barks.
Once you find a community, expect to pursue them for a long period across hills, dense forest, and foliage, often at high speeds.
Beware of fallen fruit and urine from the chimps. The chimps may take some time to descend from the trees and settle down on the ground; be patient.
Once they are on the ground, you will have multiple opportunity to snap beautiful shots and watch their unique behavior and character.
Lunch is frequently given because the experience lasts the entire day.
By the end of the encounter, you should be familiar with each individual, including their physical characteristics and personality.
The exercise ends once the chimps go into their nests for the night.
The best time to visit the chimpanzees.
Regardless of the dirt, the rainy season is the optimum time to follow chimpanzee. During the dry season, chimps prefer to venture deeper into the forest in search of food.
During the rainy season, the trees are green and fruitful, limiting the migration of chimpanzee populations.
The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience allows visitors to readily spot them without having to journey vast distances.
How the park can be reached via road and air.
Access by road can be via
- Kampala-Mubende-Fort portal. This route is about 309km and it may take about 5-6 hours.
- Kampala-Hoima-Fort portal _kibale route. This can be used as well, and it’s about 305 km in about 4-6 hours.
- This is used when one is undertaking Uganda wildlife safaris in Murchison falls national park and primates tours in kibale.
- Kampala-Mbarara-Kasese-Fortpotal Road. It covers about 555km taking over 8 hours. This route allows a stop at Uganda Equator Kayabwe and a break in Lake Mburo National Park for Uganda wildlife safaris.
Access by air.
Kibale National Park has access to 2 airstrips: Nyakisharara, near Mbarara (100 km on tarmac), and Kasese (60 km on surfaced and dirt roads).
These airstrips can be reached using chartered aircraft from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield near Kampala and the flight takes around 30 minutes.
