WHY ARE CHIMPANZEES IN BWINDI NOT HABITUATED?

When you talk about Uganda safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, majority expect to see only mountain gorillas but the latter is not true. Unlike other mountain gorilla destinations, Bwindi National Park is by far the only park where the endangered mountain gorillas and the eastern chimpanzees share the same habitat. However, chimpanzees in Bwindi National Park are not habituated like it is a case with most of the tourist sites where chimpanzee tracking safaris are conducted in Uganda

CHIMPANZEES

Currently, Uganda is a home to over 5050 chimpanzees and about 400 of them are all confined within Buhoma and Nkuringo areas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is believed that chimpanzees in Bwindi National Park are more visible than the rare mountain gorillas. Bwindi National Park is one of Uganda’s magical safari destination and it is set suitably in the southwestern districts of Kisoro, Kabale and Kanungu

Unlike other East African states, Uganda has several tourist sites with chimpanzees. Chimpanzee tracking safaris in Uganda are conducted in tourist destinations and they include among Kibale Forest National Park which is a home to over 1500 chimpanzees, Maramagambo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park. Because these tourist sites consist of a huge concentration of chimpanzees which makes it easier for researchers or trackers, conservationists to habituated most of them and also leave others in their natural status.

Bwindi National Park lies in high elevation compared to other sites with chimpanzees in Uganda. Kibale Forest National Park for instance straddles within the lowland forest and make it easier to habituate these unique creatures. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, habituating chimpanzees in highlands is very challenging. They roam and tracking them in the Bwindi’s jungles is really challenging unlike those in lowland areas like Kibale Forest National Park.

The reason why chimpanzees in Bwindi are not habituated can also be attributed to government priority. Government prefers every region to have variety of tourist attractions and this means habituating chimpanzees in Bwindi National Park may overshadow chimpanzee tracking adventures in other tourist sites like Kibale Forest National Park.

 

Some facts about chimpanzees

Chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes) are some of the amazing and large primate species in the world. They share about 95 percent of their DNA with humans making them our closet relatives in the wild. They range in forest zones of Africa, especially Guinea, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Rwanda. If your plan is to see the wild chimpanzees then a visit to Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania should be a must.

In captivity, chimpanzees live up to 60 years and in the wild about 50 years. They weigh about 25 to 50kgs. Chimpanzees build new nests every day using tree branches, leaves and they live in communities, ranging from 30 to 80 individuals.

In summary, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park remains an exceptional destination for you to strike your imaginations with not only mountain gorillas but also variety of other primate species including chimpanzees.

 

GORILLA TREKKING IN BWINDI NATIONAL PARK FROM KIGALI

Is it possible to go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali Rwanda? Well, it is very possible for you to fly into Kigali and trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali is relatively pocket friendly unlike if you directly start your gorilla trip from Entebbe International Airport. You will take a flight up to Kigali Airport where you spend about 4 hours to connect to Bwindi National Park to start your gorilla adventure. This is far better than if you took a flight to Entebbe airport then drive to Bwindi which may take you 9 to 10 hours depending on the driver’s speed.

Why go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park from Kigali

Over half of all the 1004 mountain gorillas are confined within the lush jungles of Uganda a good reason you shouldn’t miss to have a magical encounter with some of these massive creatures in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. 

Mountain gorillas

Compared to other gorilla parks, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park consists of about 20 families which have been set for tourism and research purposes. To trek the habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi National Park, visitors start their treks from anyone of the park’s 4 main trailheads; Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga sector. In Buhoma sector, the groups to explore include Habinyanja, Rushegura, Mubare and Katwe; Nkuringo region; the groups to trek include Nkuringo, Christmas and Bushaho; Ruhija region consists of Kyaguliro, Bitukura, Oruzogo and Mukiza gorilla family whereas Rushaga region comprises of Bweza, Nshongi, Busingye, Kahungye, Mishaya, Kutu, Rwigi, Mucunguzi and Bikingi.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park from Kigali takes trekkers fewer hours than if they traveled directly from Entebbe Airport. To reach Bwindi from Kigali, you need only 4 hours compared to 8-10 hours if you traveled from Entebbe or Kampala. From Kigali, you will be driven via Chanika or Katuna border area to Bwindi. 

Trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park is relatively cheaper with gorilla permits costing about $600 per person for foreign non-residents; $500 for foreign residents and Ug.shs 250000 for East African citizens although with effect from 1^st July, trekkers will require $700 to secure a gorilla permit in Uganda which still remains pocket friendly compared to Rwanda where gorilla trekking permits cost $1500 per person. 

Several of the gorilla safari lodges in Bwindi National Park are accessible from Kigali and they range from budget to luxury which gets everyone covered. They include among others Gorilla Mist Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge.

After your thrilling gorilla trekking experience, you can sum up your trip by embarking on canoe ride along the magical Lake Bunyonyi which consists of 29 scenic islands and free from bilharzias, crocodiles making it ideal for swimmers.

Remarkably, it is possible for you to take a 1 day Bwindi gorilla tour or in Mgahinga National Park. If you plan to spend more days in Bwindi, you have a lot to enjoy ranging from gorilla habituation experience, hiking, biking, Batwa and Bakiga cultural experience, bird watching to mention but a few.

It is also possible for you to embark on a city tour in Kigali with a chance to visit Kigali genocide memorable site for you to learn in depth about what took place during the 1994 Rwanda genocide.

Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be done at anytime of the year. However, the dry season is usually more preferable by most trekkers and it begins in June, July, August, September and December, January, February. It is also possible for you to trek gorillas during the wet season which commences in March, April, May and October, November.

What to pack for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

When you think of gorilla trek in Bwindi National Park, how you pack also does matter a lot. In your packing list, you need to consider a number of essential items and most importantly, start with waterproof hiking boots-light and comfortable, bottled water, energy giving snacks, long sleeved shirts/t-shirts, trousers, socks, insect repellents, hat, first aid kit among others.

In summary, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali is a rewarding experience and remarkably one best way to save time while you realize your dreams.