Kalinzu Forest Chimpanzee Trekking -tracking; Kalinzu Forest reserve is located close to Queen Elizabeth National Park and closer to Maramagambo forest in the park. More so ,Kalinzu Forest Reserve home to various animal species and around 379 bird species and over 200 butterflies that exist in the forest. There are six primate species living in Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve in Uganda include chimpanzee which famously visited by the tourists on visit to the park for chimpanzee trekking.
Despite the fact, Kalinzu is renowned as the second best for chimp trekking after the Kibale Forest a home also to chimpanzees. Other animal species seen in Kalinzu Forest include; baboons, monkeys, Red tailed monkeys, Lhotse’s monkeys, Vervet monkeys and white colobus monkeys among others. It is also home to nocturnal animal species like bush babies ,pottos and Galago’s many more. More so, the reserve hosts over 414 tree species ,98 of moths, flower and reptiles.
More so, Kalinzu Forest Reserve is drawn near to major wildlife conservation area that protects large number of animals in the park such as ;lions ,leopards ,buffaloes ,wild pigs ,antelopes and other opportunity of animal viewing can be spotted during the game drives.
Kalinzu Forest Chimpanzee Trekking;
Chimpanzee trekking in Kalunzu Forest is the major attraction here and chimps can only be presented in 21 African countries. The scientists and conservationists estimate that the number of chimpanzees with increase in the next 10 years in more 10 countries. While 5,000 individuals are identified in Uganda ,90% of the community of chimpanzees were destroyed in the last 80 years.
Facts About Chimpanzees trekking
Chimpanzees are an exceptional species as they share a close related DNA 98% to human beings.
Chimps give bird every after 5 years and take care of their young till they are about 12 years old.
They live in large groups of about 30 individuals and more.
Chimps are very intelligent and are known to use different tools and tricks to hunt insects and small primates.
What threat to chimpanzees in Africa;
The loss of habitat by deforestation has threatened the number of chimpanzees.
Poachers and people tend to kill these species for their food especially people of the Congo.
In century ,Uganda lost thousands of chimps owing to snares and other traps set up for other species like antelopes.
To regain the number of chimpanzees, the government of Uganda and wildlife conservation organizations has taken steps and rules to preserve these species such as the Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Ngamba Island. Note strict measures were introduced in all place where chimpanzees inhabits in Uganda.
In Uganda, chimpanzee trekking take part in several places including; Visit Kibale Forest -a capital of primates, Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Toro- Semuliki National Reserve among others.
Chimpanzee Trekking -Tracking
This is a fantastic activity that attracts number of tourists on visit to Uganda Primate Safaris which can be done in full habituated chimpanzee families. Chimpanzee trekking usually starts in the morning with the briefing at the park headquarters led by the ranger guide who brief you about does and don’ts and after accompanies you through trekking trails while with the chimpanzees. Same activity as gorilla trekking which requires body fitness to walk in the staff terrain and muddy in the forest which sometime makes hiking difficult to trek through the forest. The chimpanzee trekking experience takes about 30 to 5 hours before you find them. Once you locate them, an hour is given to you to learn about their life style, feeding diet, Playing, hunt as well as taking photography.
When to trek chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest;
Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest offers two sessions; morning session and afternoon session. The morning session starts at 8:00am and afternoon session starts at 2:00pm. On visit to Kalunzu Forest for chimp trekking, you can either do morning or afternoon session. To trek chimps in Kalunzu forest is 95% for successful encounter .
Best time for Kalinzu Forest Chimpanzee Tracking;
The best time to do chimpanzee trekking in Kalunzi forest is during dry season which starts from June to September and December to February when trekking trails are not slippery.
When to book a chimpanzee permit for Kalinzu forest
Despite the fact, chimpanzee permits are advisable to be booked earlier to avoid inconveniences.
Other activities to do in Kalinzu Forest; Guided nature walks, wildlife viewing and birding.
Rules and regulation of Kalinzu Forest Chimpanzee Trekking;
A maximum of 6 people allowed to trek one particular chimp community per session.
There is a limited age of 12 years and above allowed to trek the chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest.
Always keep a distance of at least 7 meters feet away from the chimps.
Do not litter in the forest
Don’t drink or eat near chimps.
Don’t try to provoke the chimpanzees
What to pack for chimpanzee tracking; Comfortable hiking boots, long stockings, hat, long trousers and shirts, rain jacket and warm clothes among other
How much is chimpanzee trekking permit in Kalinzu Forest?
Chimpanzee trekking permits in Kalinzu Forest costs USD50 per person per trek while in Kibale Forest National Park cost USD200 per person per trek.
