10 Facts About Chimpanzees
10 Facts About Chimpanzees: Chimpanzees are known to be some of the other wild animals that are found in the Africa and they are a lovely species to marvel at as you are on your Uganda wildlife safari; hence, for all those that are interested in knowing more about these endangered species, it’s best to have a visit at some of the different destinations where they are located.
In this article we get to learn more about some of the unique facts about these endangered species and they are as below:
Closely Related to Humans: It is scientifically proved that chimpanzees share about 98-99% of their DNA with humans; hence, they are known to be the closest relatives to humans.
Tool Use: The wisdom that chimpanzees hold is believed to be great in using tools, especially while getting food and these include the use of sticks to extract termites from mounds, stones to crack open nuts, and even leaves to soak up water and drink.
Complex Social Structure: Chimpanzees live in communities with hierarchies, often led by a dominant male and they are known to be so connected to each other, hence making them social animals.
Communication: Chimpanzees don’t use words as humans, but they are great in sign language, vocalizations, facial expressions, body language, and gestures. They can.
Omnivorous Diet: Chimpanzees are known to be omnivores; hence, they mainly feed on both plant and animal foods, and their food sources include fruit, leaves, insects, and occasionally small animals.
Intelligence: Chimpanzees are scientifically proved to be extremely intelligent to the extent that these animals can also solve problems, use abstract thinking, and understand cause and effect.
Memory: These endangered species are known to have an excellent memory, mostly when it comes to recognizing individuals and recalling past events.
Altruism: Chimpanzees are known to also behave in an altruistic manner, and they are ranked for often helping other group members in situations such as sharing food with others or helping injured individuals.
Endangered Species: These species are known to be endangered species and there are less than 300,000 chimpanzees that are left in the wild and this is due to habitat loss, poaching, and disease.
Long Lifespan: Chimpanzees are known to last for about 33-38 years of age as they enjoy their lives in the wild; it is also known that they can live to even 50-60 years due to better care and protection from threats.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda.
To all those that get to have a visit in Uganda, there is actually a lot to experience from the various safari destinations in the country, which are known to be home to various attractions.
Some of Uganda’s thrilling wildlife are the endangered chimpanzees, which are located in numerous forests of Uganda, such as Budongo Forest and Kibale Forest National Park, which is famous for chimpanzee trekking and habituation; then others follow, like Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Kalenzu Forest, and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve.
When it comes to rankings, Uganda is known to be one of the top safari destinations for chimpanzee tracking experiences and this is because the country is home to over 4950 individuals.
Chimpanzee tracking is one of the best ways sightseers can get to learn more about these endangered species and for all those that may love to venture to see these animals, they always go through chimpanzee tracks in numerous destinations as mentioned earlier.
This safari activity includes sightseers being mentally and physically stable for the challenge and the experience as well because this activity includes sightseers hiking in forests, tracking chimpanzee footprints and locating the exact spot where these endangered species have laid their nests in the previous night as well as locating chimpanzee families; therefore, this calls sightseers to be ready and steady for the experience.
While getting engaged in this safari activity, it is best to know what exactly to carry along in order to have the best kind of experience, and some of the things to carry along include good hiking shoes, a camera, light, dull-colored long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, packed lunch/snacks, and mineral water.
And aside from the things to carry along, it is always advisable to also be aware of the rules and regulations that are there to follow when carrying out chimpanzee tracking and these may include
-Keep a distance of about 8 km away from the chimpanzees
-In case you have the flu or any cold-related disease, do not trek the chimpanzees, as they may acquire human diseases so easily
-Avoid  littering in  the park with waste products or disposables
– Do not eat when you are near the chimpanzees because they might grab the food from you
– Avoid using the flash when taking photographs.
-And finally, visitors are encouraged to wear long-sleeved shirts, long trousers and good hiking boots.
These are some of the rules and regulations that sightseers should follow while they engage in chimpanzee tracking activities and other instructions are aligned to sightseers while at the head offices of the selected destination for the activity.
It is always advisable to all sightseers who are planning on carrying out chimpanzee tracking activities that it’s best to acquire the tracking permits in advance at least 6 months before the travel day.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
It is one thing to spend an hour with the chimpanzees of Uganda and another experience to spend the entire day with these amazing creatures. Most tourists do not actually realize that they have a choice between chimpanzee tracking and a chimpanzee habituation experience.
Chimpanzee habituation in Uganda is an experience of a lifetime that no tourist should miss out on when on safari in the country. The chimpanzee habituation experience is filled with adventure and lots of exciting memories to take back home with you.
Chimpanzee habituation experience involves getting the chimpanzees used to the presence of humans, a process that can take up to two years. Visitors on a chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda spend an entire day in the presence of chimpanzees; tracking them, monitoring their behaviors and feeding patterns while in their natural habitat.
The chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda requires one to be both physically and mentally ready for the challenge. The activity begins early in the morning before the break of dawn, around 6:00 or 6:30 am. This means that visitors need to have their breakfast really early and pack lunch before heading out into the forest.
There are about 4950 chimpanzees in Uganda, with an estimated total of 1500 chimpanzees in Kibale Forest alone. In Uganda, tourists can partake in the chimpanzee habituation experience in only two designated locations, and those are Kibale Forest and Budongo Forest. However, chimpanzee habituation also takes place on Ngamba Island, which has a chimpanzee sanctuary.
Just like chimpanzee and gorilla tracking activities begin with a briefing, likewise, all chimpanzee habituation experience activities commence with tourists being briefed by the UWA head ranger at Kibale National Park. You will be met by your guide, briefed and later head out into the forest before dawn breaks.
In Kibale National Park, the chimpanzee habituation experience takes place in groups. A small group can have a maximum of 6 people (an UWA ranger, guide and 4 tourists), while a large group can have a maximum of 8 people (UWA guide and ranger, plus 6 tourists.)
At the end of the day (around 7pm), the chimpanzees climb back into their newly built nests for the evening and visitors head back to their lodges for the evening. This usually marks the end of the amazing chimpanzee habituation experience for most visitors, with lots of pictures to take home as memories of an awesome chimpanzee habituation safari in Uganda.
The fear that chimpanzees have and might still have for human beings arose due to the continuous poaching of the species, especially during the past years. People hunted down chimpanzees for their bushmeat, which was then sold off in the black market. However, thanks to ongoing conservation and chimpanzee rehabilitation programs, the once endangered primates are being protected from such external threats, which in turn has seen their numbers grow tremendously.
Tourists have a second option of doing chimpanzee habituation in Kibale Forest, located in the southwestern part of Uganda. Chimpanzee habituation experience and tracking in Kibale Forest are offered by Kibale National Park, which is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
During the chimp habituation experience in Kibale Forest, visitors can get a chance to see other wildlife inhabiting the forest, including 13 primate species and mammals, such as black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, buffalos, warthogs, bush pigs and elephants, among others. Visitors can also get to see over 350 bird species that live in the forest, like the olive long-tailed cuckoo, the ground thrush and the grey parrot, to mention but a few.
Tourists doing chimpanzee habituation in Kibale Forest will have to first sign in at the visitor center in Kibale National Park. You will then be briefed by the head ranger at the park and later head out to the forest.
Tourists will have to travel about 308 km from Kampala City to get to Kibale National Park. This journey will take you about 5-6 hours of driving on the road. VIA Mubende.
The chimpanzeee habituation experience in Uganda is such an amazing experience and visitors who are adventurous should not hesitate to include chimpanzee habituationino your tour itineraries. Take home with you wonderful memories of your visit to the Pearl of Africa.
Do get in touch with us for any inquiries you may have about this activity, and also get to book with us your chimpanzee tracking tour in Uganda.