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.

How to acquire a gorilla permit - Uganda safaris

Before enjoying a Gorilla Safari in Uganda and Rwanda,one is required to have a gorilla permit otherwise,no one is allowed to see any gorilla in these countries.Each National park requires a different permit that is shows that you are allowed to track the mountain gorillas.

It is advisable to obtain these gorilla permits in advance so as to avoid any inconvenience that may occur.This can be 3 months before your trip.

It should be noted that tracking gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda is only guaranteed after getting a permit.

How a gorilla permit looks

Getting a gorilla permit becomes competitive and scarce mainly during peak seasons.

In Uganda,a gorilla permit is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) while in Rwanda,they are issued by ORTPN. In Uganda,UWA offices are found in Kamwokya,a Kampala suburb.

The permit allows the visitor to view the gorillas at ease and this is for about an hour,but gorilla tracking can take a minimum of 30 minutes to about 9 hours.Tracking takes a long time because it takes time to find these hiding primates.

A gorilla permit in Uganda costs US$ 500 per person per day,while in Rwanda it is at US$ 750 per person per day.

A visitor is advised to mind about the each gorilla permit he/she purchases.A gorilla permit determines the gorilla family that one will trek plus accommodation/lodge.For some National parks like Bwindi,gorillas are divided into families and each family has its specific place where it stays.This is the reason why the permits have to specify which gorilla family one is going to visit.

To avoid inconveniences, one should order for the permits in advance through tour operators like Maranatha tours and travel company.The company will check the availability of the permits and give you the feedback.On confirmation,you will transfer the funds to the company account who will purchase the permits and send you scanned copies.To help the company get the permits,you are required to send your passport details which are needed by Uganda Wildlife Authority to print out the gorilla permits.

Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - uganda safaris

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has about 120 mammal species and among these 7 are diurnal primate species.The Park has about 60% of the total gorillas in East Africa.
These gorillas are easy to see while at the park due to there large number and this explains why of recent,the park has registered a rapid increase in the number of visitors.While on a Rwanda gorilla Safari or Uganda Gorilla Sfai,you can make a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable and have a live view of the gorillas.

 

Mountain gorillas are Bwindi's main tourist attraction and these elegant mammals have been habituated since April 1993.Some of the groups that can be visited at the park include;

-Habinyanja group: This has about 23 gorillas and two silverbacks
-Mubare group: with 16 gorillas and one silverback
-Nkuring group:This has 20 gorillas and 2 silverbacks
-Rushegura group: has 1 siverback and 9 gorillas

Gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are a bit more friendly compared to other parks, in that they can even come out and play just a few meters from human beings and sometimes visitors get a chance to take clear photos with them.

At the park,it is advisable that you avoid direct contact with the gorillas to avoid contracting some diseases since certain diseases are shared by both human beings and gorillas.

While taking photos with these gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,it is advisable that you keep the flashlight of the camera off and avoid making noise,so as not to scare away the gorillas.

Before tracking the gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,one is required to purchase a gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)without this,you are not allowed to go for any gorilla tracking trip in Uganda.


Gorilla tracking fees at the park are as follows:

Non-residents pay US$ 600 per person,while East African Residents pay US$ 475.This fee is exclusive of the gorilla permit fee.
It should be noted that persons below 15 years of age are not allowed to go for gorilla tracking.

What you should know about Gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda - Uganda and Rwanda safaris

Being the number one tourist attraction in Uganda and Rwanda,its vital to know the important facts about the gorillas before going for an Africa Gorilla Safari.

Gorillas mainly feed on vegetables and are herbivorous apes.
A male gorilla's height is 6 feet (about 1.8 meters) and it weighs between 478 to 485 pounds.This size in males mainly depends on the subspecies.
The female gorilla's height is about 5 feet (1.5 meters) with a weight of around 98 kg.

Gorillas have 10 fingers and 10 toes,32 teeth, forward-looking eyes and small ears on the side of their heads,just like humans.

Gorilla's stomachs are larger than their chests and this is because of their enlarged intestines,that are necessary for digesting bulky and fibrous vegetation eaten.
A gorilla eats about 18kg of food per day due to the low nutritional quality of the food eaten.

A Gorilla can walk upright but predominantly walks on 4 limbs.
There is no specific language for gorillas but it is estimated that gorillas have more than 22 distinct sounds,that are used for communication.
A normal gorillas spends 40% of the day eating,40% of the day playing and foraging and 20% of the day sleeping.

Gorillas divide themselves in small groups known as troops and each group has a male leader.
 
A female gorilla reproduces when she is around 8 years old.When this time comes,she leaves her troop and forms her safe troop because of safety reasons.
A newly born gorilla grows very fast and it starts to walk at about 6 months old.

The major predator for gorillas are crocodiles and leopards.

Gorillas mainly live in tropical forests in Africa.
The mountain gorillas are found around Virunga volcanoes in Rwanda,Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

Facts about the Gorillas

Order: Primates

Family: Homonidae

Genus: Gorilla

Species: Gorilla gorilla and Gorilla beringei


"Come to East Africa and have a glance at these hard-to find Gorillas"

The elegant mountain gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda - Uganda and Rwanda Safaris

A mountain gorilla

Also known as the"Pearl of Africa",Uganda is a green country blessed with blessed with deep Lakes, mountains and it's one of the favorite for tourists.

One of the greatest attractions in Uganda and Rwanda are the mountain Gorillas and Uganda has half of the world's remaining mountain Gorillas population.

Most of the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. 


Gorilla Safaris in Uganda will help you visit this East African country and get a chance to see these hard-to find mammals. 

At the moment,a tourist is required to get a Gorilla permit before seeing these gorillas and these permits are got from Uganda Wildlife Authority.
 
Facts about the Gorillas
Gorillas have an interesting lifestyle and they live in groups of 20-36 members.In each of these groups,there is one male leader and others are females with their young ones.
At birth of a baby Gorilla that weighs about 2.6 kg,the mother takes good care and the males are always there to offer security.
A gorilla spends 30% of the day feeding,30% traveling and 40% resting.The gorillas spends most of its time on ground unlike other primates.They move for  more than a kilometer everyday in search for food.
Since they feed mainly on vegetables,Gorillas spend there time in greener areas where they can easily get the food.A male adult can eat about 20kg a day.

In the day,the gorillas rest and play with their friends and family.This activity is mostly liked by the young gorillas.They hug,bite,hit and pull each other.

As the gorillas wind up their day,they construct their nests where to spend a night.Each gorilla has its own nest except for the young gorillas that must sleep next to their mothers.Constructed of tree-branches and leaves,these nests are built on ground.

"Come for a Uganda Safari or Rwanda Gorilla Safari and see these Gorillas for yourself".

4 Days adventurous Itenerary - Uganda Safaris

This iteneraly will help you have aclue about a Uganda Safari before you personally visit the country

Day 1: Travel to Bwindi
Wake up early in the morning and have a cup of tee before leaving your hotel in Kampala for a Gorilla Safari at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.Before reaching the park,you will stop in Masaka town for lunch and spend a few minutes relaxing.Depending on the gorilla group you want to track,you will chose any of the lodging options in Ruhija,Nkuringo and Buhoma.Spend the whole evening enjoying the breathtaking views of Bwindi while at the lodge.


Day 2: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi in Bwindi
Early in the morning,you will be briefed by the guide before setting off for trekking.Mountain Gorilla trekking will start at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and this takes long hours and sometimes the whole day.While tracking these had-to-find species,watch out for other mammals like the buffaloes,black fronted duikers,bushbucks and elephants.Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation,enjoying the splendid views of hills.


Day 3:Cultural walks
On your third day,enjoy a wonderful visit to the local communities which will enable you to meet and greet the local people that live next to the gorillas.Also meet different the traditional healers,the blacksmith at at work and visit the authentic homesteads.Alternatively,you can learn how to grind the millet,make an African-styled baskets and preparing some local dishes.Enjoy some cultural performances by the Batwa and Kiga people.Return to the lodge for dinner and night.

Day 4: Hiking
After your breakfast in the morning (those staying at Buhoma),take an adventurous hike through Bwindi Impenetrable forest to Munyanga Waterfalls.Visitors staying in the south of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest can walk from Nkuringo to Buhoma.In the afternoon,you will set off from Bwindi to Kampala together with your luggage.
There is no doubt that this will be the best Uganda Gorilla Safari you have ever experienced