Always thought of spending more time with chimpanzees while in their natural habitat? Well, besides the usual chimpanzee treks, the best way for you to catch a glimpse at chimpanzees while in the wild is by embarking on chimpanzee habituation experience. This is an extra-ordinary primate experience of its own and remarkably rewards travel endeavors with the most captivating experiences. You can get the best of this thrilling primate adventure while on African safari in Uganda the pearl of Africa. This adventure is also popularly called CHEX. Over 5000 chimpanzees are widely distributed in varied parts in Uganda making it among a few most significant safari destinations for you to catch a glimpse at these unusual creatures while they are in their natural habitat.
Where to go for chimpanzee habituation experience
To take part in this life changing primate experience, Kibale Forest National Park you need to think of. About 1500 chimpanzees are all confined within this lush forest park. A visit to this national park gets more than just magical encounters with these remarkable creatures while on usual chimpanzee trek. For a distinct primate experience, Chimpanzee Habituation Experience is that one unique primate adventure that should not to miss out in your bucket list. It is an adventure for a few especially those who are not faint hearted. In other words, it takes you the entire day following these creatures, exploring their behaviors, body gestures and also for you to take as many photos as you can among others. Unlike the usual treks, with chimpanzee habituation experience, you get to the wild with researchers, trackers, conservationists and you will be in semi-habituated groups and this is one thing that makes this adventure unique from the usual treks. You will go with packed lunch and enough drinking water as this primate experience takes you the whole day. Besides Kibale Forest National Park, you can also take part in this remarkable primate adventure in Budongo forest.
The whole idea behind this primate experience is to make chimpanzees get used to human presence and it takes about 2 years or more before they are officially opened for visitors to track. Way back, for one to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat, a person had about 20 percent chance unlike today where most of them have been habituated through this process which has increased it to about 90%. The whole day with these creatures offers you a great opportunity to have the best photo shoots, identify them by their markings, scars as well as explore the general behaviors and unique body gestures of these lovely primates. The end will end as they finally climb into their newly constructed nests for the evening rest and then you also make a return journey to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
When to go for chimpanzee habituation experience
Like most activities, equally chimpanzee habituation experience can be done any time of the year but March-May is usually the longest rainy/wet season and October to November-this is the shortest wet season. The wet season is always regarded as a low season at the park and fewer visitors are recorded. Normally, about 4 people go for this experience.
Cost of permits for chimpanzee habituation experience
In order for you to take part in chimpanzee habituation experience, you need to have a permit at. To obtain one, you need $220. You can book one through a ground tour operator and for this case; we are that one reliable, trust worthy tour operator you can deal with. This cost won’t only get you close to chimpanzees but also variety of species that dwell in the natural forests of Uganda including varied species of birds, butterflies, and other primate species including black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, olive baboons and plants among others.
What to pack for chimpanzee habituation experience
When it comes to this primate adventure, how you pack does matter a lot. Therefore in your packing list, the essential items not to miss out include waterproof hiking boots that are light weight, packed lunch and enough drinking water, light rain jacket or poncho, long sleeved shirt or t-shirt, long trousers, insect repellent, binoculars, camera, hat a mention but a few.
