The best places to watch chimpanzees in Uganda
While in the wild Chimpanzees can be found on land and in trees but they like sleeping and feeding in trees. Below are the best places where you can view Chimpanzees in Uganda.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is located approximately 23kms South East of Entebbe. It’s part of the Koome group of islands located in Lake Victoria. Ngamba is the perfect introduction of a Chimpanzees Haven in Uganda. Most of the chimpanzees there, where rescued from illegal pet traders, poachers and many others. At the Sanctuary there is a viewing platform for visitors to see the Chimpanzees feeding on fruits, vegetables, eggs and porridge. Tourists can see them play and also get to know their names as well as the dominant male.
Dubbed as the Primates capital of the world Kibale National Park is home to 13 species of primates including Chimpanzees and 70 mammal species. Once you visit the park you are rest assured that you will get the chance of viewing chimpanzee’s in their natural habitat. Aside from that the forest alone is one of the best tropical forests in Uganda with over 351 tree species over 200 years old. Conservations or researchers can also take part in the habituation experience at an extra cost.
Budongo Forest Reserve can be found on the boundaries of Murchison Falls National Park the forest is home to over 600 Chimpanzees and other 9 species of primates.Visitors trail the forest which are well placed in the forest and once they find them, they take an hour to observe the chimpanzees.The Forest also offers an extremely rich biodiveristy with over 500 plant species. Other activities you can do while there are Bird watching, also tourists can take part in the habituation experience at an extra cost.Kyambura Gorge found in Queen Elizabeth National Park is another place where one can get to see Chimpanzees in their natural setting. The Gorge has only one habituated group of Chimpanzee’s that may take you 1-3 hours to track. The activity can only be done from 8am to 2pm.
Kalinzu Forest is another spot where Chimpanzees can be seen in Uganda. Situated South-east of Queen Elizabeth National Park the forest is home to six primate’s species which are the Chimpanzees, Red Tailed Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Black and White Colobus Monkeys and a few more. The forest is home to around 300 chimpanzee’s and only 40 of them have been habituated for viewing. Some of the other outstanding features about Chimpanzees are that they construct new nests every day, feed on a diet and use tools such as sticks to gather termites and can use rocks to open nuts. They also groom each other, care for their young ones and are led by a dominate male who has to prove first that his stronger than any of his group members.
