The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Uganda

The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Uganda is one of the top primate tracking safaris in Uganda to search and spend several hours with these primates that are known as the closest relatives to man. Having a chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda offers an individual an experience of the lifestyle of chimpanzees, and how they eat, sleep, interact, and communicate. The trek in search of these wild chimpanzees alone is such an amazing experience for those who love nature as you walk through a tropical rainforest.

Where is Chimpanzee Habituation done in Uganda?

Chimpanzee habituation in Uganda can be undertaken in Kibale National Park which is home to 13 primate species with chimpanzees having the highest population. The park was dubbed the primate capital of the world because of the primates in the forest.

Chimpanzees share about 98.7% of their DNA with humans making them the second closest to humans after the Bonobos. About 1,500 chimpanzees live in Kibale Forest National Park and go through a habituation experience before tourists can be allowed to have chimpanzee trekking experiences.

Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale National Park is located southwest of Uganda within a tropical rainforest. The forest is comprised of varied tracts of tropical forest cover interspersed with patches of grasslands and swamps dominated in the northern and central parts of the park which in total covers a geographical area of about 795 square kilometers.

Chimpanzee habituation is the process of making chimps used to the presence of human beings. The process takes about 2 years or more to fully get used to people.

Chimpanzee habituation experience

The chimpanzee habituation experience enables tourists to accompany researchers and habituation (those who take the chimpanzees through the habituation process) into the forest. For chimpanzee habituation, the groups that are visited are less accustomed or used to the presence of human beings than those that are visited during chimpanzee trekking. During the habituation experience, those involved follow and view the chimps as they exhibit their characters.

Chimpanzee habituation in Kibale National Park is available for tourists who make an early booking either for the full-day or half-day experience. For those starting the habituation trek in the morning, they can watch chimpanzees leaving their nests early morning between 6:00 and 6:30 am. Then they continue their day with daily activities like feeding, copulating, breastfeeding, resting, displaying, and patrolling until the evening when it’s time for the chimps to build new nests for the night.

How long does the chimpanzee habituation experience take?

The chimpanzee habituation experience ends in the evening when the chimps go to their nests. The full-day experience is such an experience having to learn a lot about the chimps and by the time you leave the forest, you will be familiar with the chimp individuals including their body markings and personalities. Lunch, water, and snacks should be carried if the activity is going to be a full-day experience.

Ensure to book your chimpanzee habituation permit early with Acacia Safaris which is a certified Uganda tour operator and have your slot booked in time.

Chimpanzee habituation and trekking in Uganda are the second most popular activities after Uganda gorilla tracking safaris in Bwindi Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. There are also Uganda wildlife safari activities in the savannah parks as well as other activities. We also tailor Kenya safari or Tanzania safari itineraries to all kinds of travelers.