Chimpanzee Tracking is one of the most exciting primate safaris you can ever enjoy in Africa. Tracking these intelligent apes is one of the best wildlife encounters with some tourists rating to be better than even gorilla trekking.
Here are the best best countries and destinations where you can enjoy chimpanzee tracking while on your safari in Africa;
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National park – Rwanda
Nyungwe National park is located in south western Rwanda home bordered by Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and south of Lake Kivu. It is characterized with bamboo thickets, shrubs, woodlands, swamps and so on which shelter 13 primate species including the chimpanzees which are the attractions in Nyungwe Forest National park.
Nyungwe National park is the biggest National park in Rwanda well known for chimpanzee trekking. Chimpanzee trekking is carried out in 2 groups including the one group near Uwinka park headquarters, it is the highest group with 60 habituated chimpanzees and the group at Cyamudongo area with only 30 habituated chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee trekking in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Chimpanzee trekking in Democratic Republic of Congo is carried out in the Virunga National Park which also hosts the endangered mountain gorillas. Chimpanzees in Congo are one of the most visited primates after gorillas that tourists look up to when they come on primate tours.
Virunga National park consists of chimpanzee groups that were habituated by the Congolese team for trekking, with over 37 habituated chimpanzees visited are allowed to take part in chimpanzee trekking.
Just like chimpanzee trekking in other countries, also chimpanzee trekking in Virunga National park starts with briefing early in the morning by the ranger guides about the dos and don’ts of trekking and then set off to the forest in search for the chimpanzees in their natural habitats, spend 1 hour with the chimpanzee as you observe and taking pictures before you return back. Chimpanzee trekking only allows 4 people per group in the presence of chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Tanzania
Chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania is mostly carried out from Mahale mountains National park located near Lake Tanganyika with over 800 chimpanzees divided into different groups for trekking. Trekking is best done in the month of October where visitors enjoy a good experience when on foot.
Chimpanzee trekking is also carried out in Gombe National park smallest National park in Tanzania found in Kigoma, where Dr. Jane Goodall carried out her study about chimpanzees. The study was also carried out on the common group called kasakela that offers a unique experience when with them.
Chimpanzee trekking takes place in the morning and afternoon, the group also has some habituated members which allows visitors to come close and learn more about their behaviors.
Chimpanzee trekking in Burundi
Chimpanzee trekking in Burundi is carried out in Kibira National Park in north western part of Burundi. Trekking these intelligent primates requires penetration through the thick vegetation of park guided by the skilled ranger guides, on encounter with the chimpanzees, you can spot the characters and learn more about their behaviors for a maximum of 1 hour and return to your lodge. You can spot other wild animals like blue monkeys, snakes, squirrels among others.
