5 Reasons Why Uganda is Favorite for Chimpanzee Tracking in East Africa
In East Africa, Chimpanzees are found in Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda but most of the tour operator recommends chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. Below are some of the reasons why you should trek chimpanzees in Uganda:
Uganda hosts a good population of chimpanzees compared to Tanzania and Rwanda. The fact that Uganda protects chimpanzees in four different locations including Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo Forest reserve, Toro-Semliki Game reserve and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Each location protects quite a large number of habituated chimps for visitors to enjoy the experience.
Kibale Forest yields a variety of Chimpanzee feeds – the rain forest sustains a variety of chimpanzees due to presence of fruits, plant shoots, stems, root among others which act as food for the chimps. That is why Kibale Forest offers the best Chimpanzee experience of all parks in East Africa. More so, the climate in Kibale is suitable for chimpanzee living.
Along side chimpanzee tracking, visitors are also rewarded the view of other attractions like Mountains, Hills, Valleys, wild animals and birds among other. This is because chimpanzees co-exist with other primates, birds and so on. Trekking chimpanzees in Kibale offers the view of foot hills of Mountains of the moon (Mt. Rwenzori), Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorges offers the view of a variety of wild animals in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Uganda is the best for chimpanzee trekking because of cheap trekking permit compared to Rwanda. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest, Toro- Semliki Game reserve and Kyambura Gorge cost US$ 50 per person (None residents) – as the highest price. On the other hand, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park cost US$ 150 per person compared to US$ 90 (none residents) in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda.
The distance from Entebbe International Airport to Kibale Forest National Park is shorter than that from Kigali International Airport to Nyungwe Forest National Park. It is 6 hours drive and 8 hours drive respectively. The shorter distance traveled to meet chimpanzees in Uganda saves time and fatigue.
No much laboring while looking for Chimpanzees in the Uganda forest compared to Nyungwe forest in Rwanda. First of all, Nyungwe forest national Park is very larges park which makes the whole experience tiresome and hectic.
Game Rangers in Uganda are friendly, experienced and informative thus making chimpanzee trekking experience enjoyable and educative. The rangers know each individual chimp by name, history and predict their future. In Uganda, each chimpanzee is named for easy identification.
The local communities are around chimp parks in Uganda also play a bigger role in protecting and preserving the habitats of chimpanzees. Uganda wildlife Authority (UWA) in conjunction with Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) work tooth and nail to control poaching of animals in Uganda to enable chimpanzees increase in number.
Uganda is politically stable – for long time, Uganda has been peaceful to facilitate tourist activities prevail in Uganda. The Uganda People’ Defense Force (UPDF), Uganda Police and other security agencies are providing tight security to tourists, wild life and Ugandans.
There are improved infrastructures like roads, accommodation, health centers and schools among others are attracting tourists to trek chimps in Uganda.
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