Are you looking for chimpanzee trekking in Africa? Africa is one of the continents of the world blessed with different wildlife species among which include chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are species of primates sharing over 98% DNA with human beings. Chimpanzees feed on a variety of food such as seeds, leaves, fruits, flowers, honey, insects, monkeys, and small antelopes. In Africa, chimpanzees can be found in Uganda, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Central African Republic, DR Congo, and Burundi.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Uganda offers the best chimpanzee trekking experiences at friendly prices. The best place to trek chimpanzees is the Kibale forest national park located in the western part of the country. Kibale forest national park is home to more than 1500 chimpanzees making it the best place to trek these gentle apes. other places to trek chimpanzees are Kyambura gorge located in queen Elizabeth national park meaning you can combine your game viewing safari with chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth national park. Tourists on a safari to Murchison falls national park can also trek chimpanzees in Budongo forest next to the park. Another place to see chimpanzees in Uganda is Ngamba island chimpanzee sanctuary located on one of the islands of Lake Victoria.

Trekking chimpanzees in Kibale forest national park comes with opportunities of spotting some of the 13 primates in the park namely red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, Uganda red colobus, grey checked mangabey, pottos, patas monkeys, Uganda mangabey, and Demidoff Galago.

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

In Rwanda, chimpanzee trekking can be done in Nyungwe forest national park located on the southern side of the country. The trekking chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest national park starts with a briefing at 8:00 am later the rangers lead you to Cyamudongo or Uwinka trekking areas where you spend a maximum of 1 hour with the chimpanzees. While trekking chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest national park you can bump into other primates such as red-tailed monkeys, silver monkeys, golden monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, vervet monkeys, mona monkeys, olive baboons, Rwenzori colobus, and bush babies among others.

Nyungye forest national park does not only have chimpanzee trekking as an activity but also canopy walk one of its own in Africa. the canopy walk helps you to explore the forest giving you an aerial view of birds and primates within the park. The other activity that one can combine with chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park is birding where you get to see some of the 300 bird species in the park such as handsome francolin, Neumann’s Warbler, Red collared babblers, Purple Breasted Sunbirds, grauer’s warbler, Albertine owlet, Regal sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, swamp warbler, Rwenzori Nightjar, blue-headed sunbird, and Rwenzori Turaco among others.

Chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania

The best places to trek chimpanzees in Tanzania are Gombe streams national park and Mahale mountains national park on Lake Tanganyika. Mahale mountain national park is a forest area on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika occupied by canopy forests. The Park is one of the two national parks hosting chimpanzees in the country. It’s also the only park where lions and chimpanzees live together. Trekking chimpanzees in this park gives you an opportunity to spot different bird species and over 82 species of mammals that are protected in this park. Gombe streams national park has chimpanzee trekking as the main activity done in the park. The Park was a place where Jane Goodall did her seminal research on chimpanzee behavior. The trekking of chimpanzees in Gombe streams national park is done in the morning and evening hours. Chimpanzee trekking in Gombe gives you an opportunity to see other animals in the forest such as olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and red colobus monkeys among others.

What is done on the day of chimpanzee trekking in Africa?

In every national park where chimpanzee trekking takes place, the first activity done is briefing trekkers at the park headquarters very early in the morning. During the briefing, you are taught about the rules and regulations of the activity among which include keeping a distance of 7 meters away from gorillas, not smoking or eating near gorillas, keeping voices low and so many others. After the briefing, the trekkers are grouped into 8 people and each group is led by a guide to the jungle where they take 2-3 hours looking for chimpanzees. After allocating the chimpanzees, the trekkers are allowed to stay around these primates for a maximum of one hour.

Rules and regulations of chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee trekking is done by children above 15 years

You are expected to keep a distance of 7 meters away from chimpanzees

People with infectious diseases such as flu, cough, and diarrhea are not allowed to trek chimpanzees

If you are in the jungle and want to ease yourself you must tell a ranger to dig for you a pit after which it will be covered to control the spread of diseases.

You are not allowed to provoke chimpanzees

Use of flash cameras is strongly prohibited as this can make the chimpanzees get scared

Trekkers are asked to keep their voices low while around chimpanzees

Chimpanzee trekking is done by 8 people per family

You are not allowed to drink, eat or smoke near chimpanzees

Trekkers are allowed to stay around chimpanzees watching them do their daily activities and learn their behaviors for only 1 hour

Things to carry for a chimpanzee trekking safari in Africa

You shouldn’t miss packing waterproof hiking shoes, a rain jacket, waterproof bag, long-sleeved clothes, insect repellents, sunscreen, a hat, camera, memory cards, extra batteries, binoculars, face mask, sanitizer, enough drinking water, and energy-giving snacks.

What is the best time for chimpanzee trekking in Africa?

Chimpanzee trekking can be done at any time of the year depending on your schedule but the best time has always been the dry season. During this season, the roads leading to the park are passable, trails very dry and not slippery, when there is little or no rainfall, and when the vegetation is thin for a clear view of animals. During the dry season, most of the park animals gather around water sources to drink water.