The common chimpanzees/the robust chimpanzees are great apes living in the tropical forests and wet savannas of Central and West Africa. Together with bonobos, they are the closest human relatives in the wild with over 98.7% of their genetic DNA similar to that of humans. Chimpanzees and humans are also believed to share a common ancestry who lived between 7-13 million years ago.
Behavior of chimpanzees.
Unlike some apes, chimpanzees are very social- they live in communities each headed by an adult alpha male. In each chimpanzee community, there are other males, females, infants etc. Male and female chimpanzees are said to have individual personalities where females are notably more trusting and timid. In social life of chimpanzees, grooming is key- an important part when they bond with each other, a moment when they remove ticks or dirt from each other’s bodies etc.
While chimpanzees often knuckle-walk, they are also capable of standing and walking upright. They have long arms, fingers and hands that make them climb trees, swing from one tree branch to the other.
Chimpanzees use tools.
Chimpanzees are among a few most intelligent species in animal kingdom. They make good use of tools to perform different activities including shaping, sticks to retrieve insects from nests or dig grubs from logs. Stones are often used by chimpanzees to smash open nuts while leaves as used as sponges to soak up drinking water. Interestingly, they can be taught to use different human sign languages.
Habitat.
Compared to any great ape, chimpanzees have the widest range- not only can you find them in the tropical forests but also in woodlands or grasslands. Chimpanzees are common within Central and Western Africa. They sleep on tree branches in the nests they build using leaves. They depend on leaves, fruits, insects, nuts etc.
Reproduction of chimpanzees.
Female chimpanzees give birth to single infant and at any time of the year. The infant stays with the mother till the time of weaning about 3-5 years. Female chimpanzees reach reproductive maturity at 13 and males aren’t considered to be adults till they reach 15 years.
CHIMPANZEE TRACKING IN UGANDA – BEST PLACES TO VISIT.
Kibale Forest National Park.
Kibale National Park is one of the leading places to see chimpanzees in Africa. Over 1500 of 5050 chimpanzees that Uganda boasts of live in Kibale National Park, with addition of 12 other species of primates that include several of red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, red colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, pottos, L’Hoest monkeys and more.
There are 2 alternatives to see chimpanzees in Kibale National Park- you can undertake chimpanzee tracking or chimpanzee habituation experience. It is also an affordable chimpanzee safari destination with chimpanzee tracking permits costing USD200 and habituation permits obtainable at USD 250.
Kyambura Gorge.
Best known as Valley of the Apes, Kyambura Gorge is without an amazing chimpanzee tracking spot. The splendid gorge lies East of Queen Elizabeth National Park which is also popular for the rare tree climbing lions and other big game. Chimpanzee permits- Kyambura Gorge cost USD50 (for both FNR-Foreign Non-Residents & FR- Foreign Residents), Uganda shillings 20,000 for East Africa citizens).
Budongo forest.
Budongo Forest is another best place worth visiting for chimpanzee tracking and chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda. This is an expansive rain-forest of up to 825sq.kms and shelters about 800 chimpanzees, 100 of which have been habituated for chimpanzee tracking.
Kalinzu Forest Reserve.
Kalinzu Forest Reserve sits in Western Uganda, near Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is a home to all 290 chimpanzees, 410 birds and other species of wildlife. Kalinzu chimpanzee permits cost US Dollars 30 per person. The other significant chimpanzee tracking destination in Uganda is Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve.
