Chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu forest reserve : Kalinzu Forest Reserve is found in south western Uganda in the district of Bushenyi. The forest reserve is close to Maramagambo forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kalinzu forest reserve has abundant wildlife. Over 379 species of birds exist in the forest. There are six species of primates which include chimpanzees, baboons, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, Vervet monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys. The forest also has night creatures like bush babies, Pottos and Galagos. Those interested in butterflies can expect to spot over 261 species. The forest reserve has 414 species of trees, 98 of moths, flowers and reptiles. The close proximity to two major wildlife conservation areas as earlier noted helps draw large mammals like Lions, wild pigs, antelopes, leopards and buffaloes to the forest from time to time.
Chimpanzees are the key attraction on Kalinzu Forest. The wild chimpanzees are currently only found in 21 African countries. Researchers and conservationists believe that in 10 years’ time, Chimpanzees will become extinct in 10 more countries. Although 5,000 or so chimpanzees can be found in Uganda, 90% of the chimpanzee population has been lost in the last 80 years. Chimpanzees are intriguing because they look and behave like we humans. In fact, they share at least 98% of their DNA with us. Chimps give birth after every 5 years and take care of their young until they are about 12 years old. They live in large communities – each with a culture. Chimps are very intelligent and are known to use a variety it tools and tricks to hunt insects, smaller primates and antelopes. Unlike gorillas, chimp communities are always evolving with female adolescents in particular living the group to join others.
The greatest threat to chimpanzees in Africa is loss of habitat through deforestation. Chimpanzees are also hunted for their meat among tribes in the Congo or sold as pets to illegal animal collectors. Uganda has lost thousands of chimps in the last century because of snares and other traps set up for other animals like antelopes. The government has taken action and declared killing of chimps illegal and has partnered with wildlife conservation Agencies like the chimpanzee sanctuary in Ngamba island to protect the chimpanzees. Strict measures are in place in all major national parks and forest reserves like Bodongo forest, Bugoma and Kyambura gorge to protect the primates and put to book anyone caught killing a chimpanzee.
Chimpanzee tracking experience in Kalinzu forest reserve
Kalinzu forest reserve hosts one of the largest communities of chimpanzees in Uganda and it is arguably the second best place to track chimpanzee after Kibale forest national park in Uganda. Of the about 320 chimpanzees in the forest reserve, close to 50 are habituated (open to tourism). Most tourists from Queen Elizabeth national park prefer tracking chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest despite the fact that the park has its own chimp community at Kyambura gorge. It is easy to reach Kalinzu forest through the Mweya sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive only takes about 40 minutes. Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest is not very demanding as gorilla trekking but one need to be fit enough to walk for 3 to 4 hours through sometimes difficult terrain. The trek may include passing through steep slopes and muddy parts of the forest. Though chimps generally live in flatter terrain compared to mountain gorillas, they are very mobile and one needs to be prepared to follow them at high speed which can be tiresome.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu forest starts in the morning and is led by a guide and armed ranger. The rangers and Guides are familiar to the chimpanzees because were involved in their habituation process. Chimpanzees may not be so welcoming to complete strangers and that’s one of the reasons why the activity must be led by an official Guide.
There is a morning and afternoon shift. The morning shift starts at 8:00am while the afternoon shift begins at 3:00pm. Each shift offers a unique experience. The chimps are very active in the morning as they go out to eat and secure their territory. The chimps are full in the afternoon and prefer to relax and escape the heat from the sun.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest starts with briefing from the Guide and rangers. During the briefing, visitors are divided into 3 groups depending on their overall fitness and pace. After the briefing, you will head to the forest to locate the chimps. By this time, some tackers would have already left much early to identify the exact location of the chimps. As you hike to locate the chimps, you also encounter other forest creatures, birds and primates like baboons, blue monkeys, L’hoest monkeys and red-tailed monkeys. The head trackers communicate with the Guide by phone and lets him/her know about the chimp movements and their location. Chimps are very mobile and spend a lot of their time on top of trees. Spotting them and taking photos requires some skill and effort.
After spending about an hour or two tracking the chimps through thick forest, steep terrain and having yourself covered with tree branches, ants and shrubs, your attention is suddenly drawn to the distant calls of the primates. Within no time you would have found their location. Use the one hour to observe their behavior and group dynamics as they swing from tree to tree. You might spot some resting, others mating or grooming one another. Some individual chimps may come close to you while most will keep their distance. You will notice that they make different sounds to express different emotions. You understand the meaning of each hoot by observing how other chimps respond to it.
The success rate of spotting chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest is 95%. The cost of a chimpanzee permit in Kalinzu forest is $50. This is far less than the $150 charged in Kibale National Park. Chimpanzee permits can be booked at the reception Centre of the reserve or more conveniently through a tour operator. Though Chimpanzee permits in Kalinzu forest can be got on the day of tracking, it is important to book in advance to be on the safer side.
What you need to know about chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest
Kalinzu Central Forest reserve is managed by the Forestry Authority in Uganda. There are rules that visitors are required to know and follow before and during the chimpanzee tracking activity. These rules are designed with the safety of visitors and forest animals in mind:
- Only 6 people are can track a particular chimp community per session. This is to avoid overcrowding and irritating the chimps.
- One must be 12 years and above to track chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest.
- Visitors are only allowed one hour with the chimps. This is to limit the spread of diseases but also to avoid getting them agitated or alerted.
- While with the chimpanzees, keep your voice low.
- Don not eat food while close to the chimpanzees.
- Don’t try to provoke the chimpanzees.
- Do not wonder away from your group or the main trail. Always have company even when going to ease yourself.
- Visitors are not allowed to track chimpanzees on their own and without an authorized Guide. This is because chimpanzees can get aggressive when they spot unfamiliar faces.
- Visitors with flue, cough, diarrhoea or any other transmittable diseases are not allowed to go near the chimps to avoid risk of exposure.
- Keep a distance of at least 8 meters away from the chimps.
- Using flash cameras is prohibited as it could alert the chimpanzees.
- Always follow instructions from the Guides and do not come to close to chimpanzees. They are more aggressive than gorillas and though relatively small are more powerful than most humans.
- Do not litter the forest while tracking the chimpanzees.
- It is important to move with packed snack and drinking water when going out to track the chimps.
- Go prepared with good hiking boots, long stockings, a hat, long trousers and shirts. Do not forget to move with a hiking stick and rain jacket especially during the rainy season.
- Chimps spend a lot of time on top of trees and a good binocular will enrich your experience.
