Chimpanzee habituation is the process by which chimpanzees are trained to get accustomed to human presence. Chimpanzee tourism or chimpanzee tracking is one of the unique activities in Uganda and Rwanda.
The Eastern chimpanzee is the only subspecies of chimpanzees found in Uganda and Rwanda. Uganda alone has got an estimated population of about 5,000 individuals living in Kibale forest, Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Bwindi Forest, Bugoma Forest, Rwenzori Mountains, and other forest reserves.
Rwanda has got about 400 chimpanzees split in the forests of Nyungwe National Park and Gishwati Mukura national park.
Uganda’s high chimpanzee population has enabled Adventure Consults design interesting conservation activities of which Habituation experience is one of the premier walking adventures. The experience can only be done in Kibale Forest National park and Kaniyo Pabidi forest (part of the big Murchison falls conservation area).
Chimpanzee Habituation experience, in short CHEX, involves adventurous clients or travelers accompany the researchers in the day’s activity which is part of making Chimpanzees get used to people.
The activity starts anytime between 7 & 6 am, and while on this walking adventure, you will come across the chimpanzees de-nesting from their nocturnal nests, keep following them as they feed and protect the young ones, train each other survival instincts, jump in the trees, and sometimes hang out at low branches as they pick insects from each other. They love hugging and cuddling. You will listen to the loudest noise in the forest (chimpanzee pant-hoots). The loud, structurally complex vocalization of chimpanzees is amazing to listen to and easy to record. The call is generally divided into four distinct, successive phases: introduction, build-up, climax, and let-down.
Chimpanzee habituation experience (CHEX) is usually conduced either as a half day or full day activity. The distinct advantage of CHEX over the normal or ordinary chimpanzee tracking exercise is that you get to spend more time with the playful primates. You follow and observe them for about 6 hours after finding them, compared to the standard 1 hour when you go for normal Chimpanzee tracking exercise.
If you opt for a full day, you will leave the forest late in the evening after Chimpanzees have started making new nests.
Chimpanzee habituation experience is a recommended option for keen photographers or anyone with passion to learn more about Chimpanzees. The terrain is not that difficult but can be slippery and muddy on a rainy day.
Chimpanzee habituation experience can be part of standard Adventure Consults trips or an independenttrip specifically focused on habituation. The cost for habituation experience permit is higher in comparison to the standard chimpanzee tracking permit, but it’s worth it. The permit is always included in the Adventure Consults’ package price.
The shortest duration for Gorilla habituation experience trip is 3 nights/4 days. Just like Gorilla Habituation experience, Chimpanzee Habituation Experience can be part of the long trip or an independent adventure.
Get in touch and our safari specialist will be of help with more info on itineraries and pricing to suite your interests and available time.