Chimpanzees contain 99% of human features which ranks it to be the closest primates to human being features, the only difference between Chimpanzees and human beings is that these primates do not feed on meat and do not put on clothes like human beings do but others are almost the same in that they usually even repeat after statements made by human beings while in the jungle.

These primates mostly use forests as their shelter, they are shy and usually feed on young bamboo shoot and stem, tree leaves, flowers, fruits like avocadoes, mangoes, oranges, jack fruit, grapes, water melon, sweet bananas, sugar canes and other eatables like ground nuts, maize, biscuits and more.

These are one of the most prominent attractions you should not miss to give a sight while on your tour in Uganda and Rwanda for your safari vacation.

In Africa Chimpanzees are not found everywhere but there are situated areas where these primates reside mostly in the Eastern part of the African continent in countries which include Rwanda and Uganda.

Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda is one of the booming activities you should not miss out while in Uganda because of its exciting sessions established, Uganda is ranked to be one of the destinations in Africa with highest number of Chimpanzee primates and the tracking activity costs depend on which Chimpanzee hosting destination you have visited. Some of the below listed destinations are the one you can go for chimpanzee tracking while in Uganda.

Kibale Forest National Park

This is located in the South western part of Uganda characterized with ever green tropical rain forests, Savannah grasslands and Swampy areas; Kibale Forest National Park is recorded with the highest number of Chimpanzees in Uganda. The best way of reaching this park is by use of Kampala – Mityana – Mubende – Fort portal highway using a stable 4×4 wheel drive safari jeep.

The only activities done in Kibale Forest National Park include Chimpanzee tracking and habituation experience plus Bigodi walk, Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale costs $200 USD per person and habituation experience costs $250 USD per person.

Bigodi walk is usually done with interest of sighting different bird species recorded sightable in this park, other primates in this park include Vervets, Bush babies, Baboons, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, and Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue monkeys and more.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

This is also located in the South western part of Uganda bordering Kibale forest National Park in the North; it is characterized with tropical rain forests, Savannah grasslands and Woodlands plus swampy areas. The best way of reaching it is by use of Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara high way with en-route stopover at the equator for adventure or if not, road transport means you can travel luxuriously by air transport means since usually private charters are arranged from either Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe airport up to Mweya airstrip in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

This park is also hosting chimpanzees in its jungles although its popularly known for the tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, Chimpanzees in Queen are found in the Kyambura gorge side but rarely seen during some seasons mostly when there is scarcity of food for eating, they tend to move very deep into the forest in search of what to eat so it’s better you choose for best seasons of seeing these primates in the Jungle. Tracking Chimpanzees in Queen costs $50 USD per person.

Murchison Falls National Park

This is located in the North western part of Uganda lying along the Albertine Rift Valley; it is characterized with tropical rain forest, Savannah grasslands and Woodlands plus swampy areas. This Park is popularly known for the great falls and the best way of reaching this Park is by use of Kampala – Masindi – Gulu highway with en-route stopover in Nakasongola – Nakitoma for the Rhinoceros in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

The famous Chimpanzees in Murchison falls National Park are found in Budongo forest, while in this jungle you have opportunities of sighting other features in this park which include primates like Black & White Colobus Monkeys, Vervets, Red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, reptiles like snakes, insects like butterflies, tsetse flies and more.

Tracking Chimpanzees in Budongo forest reserve costs $90 USD per person.  Other wildlife attractions in Murchison include Wild animals like Elephants, Buffaloes, Leopards, Antelopes and more.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

This protected area is located on the waters of Lake Victoria on Kome islands, it was established to provide home to the rescued uncared and orphaned Chimpanzees, over 49 chimpanzee primate species are recorded in this sanctuary currently. This Sanctuary is characterized with tropical rain forests, Savannah grasslands, and swampy areas, these chimpanzees are habituated in these areas plus the cages which were constructed out of mesh.

The best way of reaching this sanctuary is by use of a boat (speed boat or local canoe) starting from Entebbe – water front club or you can go by air transport means since private charters are always arranged from Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe airport up to Ngamba island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. When you reach Ngamba the activities done include Chimpanzee feeding, Care giving, and Volunteering.

Chimpanzees are also found in Rwanda and are ranked as the first priority primates to visit while in Uganda for your primate Safaris, these sensitive primates in Rwanda are only found in Nyungwe Forest National Park which is located in the South western part of Uganda characterized with tropical rain forests, montane forests, green vegetation, and Swampy areas.

Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest National Park costs $90 USD per person, other primates in this park includes Colobus monkeys, Vervets, Olive baboons and different bird species. Other activities done while in this park include Canopy walk, nature walk and more. For Chimpanzee tracking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda do not miss out destinations listed above on your bucket list.