Friend a Chimpanzee in Uganda - Chimpanzee safaris in Uganda

Uganda is the leading tourist destination in Africa and one of the attractions that have led to this ranking are the diverse collection of the wild animals. Among the primate species that are found in Uganda, are the chimpanzees. These human-like creatures are so elegant and have an interesting lifestyle that everyone would be impressed to witness.

Chimpanzees in Uganda are not found in every National park but rather in specific places, grouped and habituated to human contact just like the mountain gorillas. If a visitor is not well conversant with the primate species, he/she may not e able to find a difference between chimpanzees and gorillas. This is because they share some characteristics and way of living. However, chimpanzees have an unpredictable lifestyle and this makes them slightly less approachable compared to Gorillas. Including chimp tracking in your itinerary on your Uganda safari can never be regretted because of the original feel of both nature and wild that you are exposed to.

While on a gorilla safari to Uganda, you can extend the adventure by tracking the chimps. This can help to clearly draw the differences between the two primates. In Uganda, these chimps are mainly in Kibale Forest National Park. While at this park, a visitor gets a chance of coming closer to the chimps and even take photographs with them for remembrance. The maximum time that a visitor can take with the chimps at Kibale Forest National Park is 1 hour but the whole activity of chimp tracking takes 3 hours.

While tracking the chimps, a visitor can have a chance of witnessing a fight between a chimpanzee and a monkey. This is because chimps at the park keep on hunting and casing monkeys away from their territories. They swing and crash through the tree tops which is accompanied by a loud sound.

Its however advisable that a visitor should have some briefing before going for chimp tracking so as to know  what should be done while in the wild. A visitor is expected o avoid irritating behaviors while tracking the chimps and he/she should maintain a distance of at least 6 meters from the chimps. When irritated, chimpanzees can attack humans and therefore, a tracker should maintain maximum discipline. One of the things that irritate the chimps is the flush light of the camera.

Visitors are grouped in small numbers and briefed before going for chimp tracking. Moving in large numbers while tracking the chimps can scare them and therefore, small groups are encouraged. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to see chimps while tracking and so a visitor should know the various ways of seeing the hiding chimps. Chimps are fond of hiding in thick tree-leaves and a tracker needs to be so skilled and vigilant enough to see them. Sometimes, visitors are requested to keep silent while tracking so as to hear the hiding chimps as they crash the leaves.

Chimps in Uganda can also be found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest Reserve, Semuliki National Park and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.