Chimpanzee Trekking Age Limit is currently 15 years, unlike in the past when it used to be 12 years. The Minimum Age Limit for Trekking Chimpanzees applies to all Chimpanzee destinations in Uganda and it is set up by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and in Rwanda, the Age Limit for Chimp Trekking is set by Rwanda Development Board.
However, there are some conditions where children below 15 years are allowed to go Track Chimpanzees or restricted from participating in this exhilarating adventure. If a child is almost making 15 years, he or she can be examined on ground and the destination wardens can determine whether to let him or her be part of the Chimp Trek. He or she must prove that they are physically well and mature. The Scouting Certificates and other Certificates that the child could have acquired after the previous treks must be presented before the destination authorities.
The official at the Chimpanzee Trekking destination will decide immediately after verifying the certificates. That is whether to let the child go Trek Chimpanzees or not. Permits and passports are used to determine if you qualify to go Track Chimpanzees in the wild. On the actual day of Tracking Chimpanzees in Uganda or Rwanda, all tourists must present their permits and passports (valid) before the official for verification before you join the rest of the visitors for briefing on Chimpanzee Trekking rules.
Activities for children below 15 years.
Interestingly, there are also several optional activities for children below 15 years to do in Uganda or Rwanda. These include nature walks, forest games, ride around the communities, cultural walks, bush craft and others.
Trekking to see chimpanzees requires some physical Fitness in you because it is unpredictable. You can spend 2-4 hours less or more as determined by location of chimp community, nature of the habitat and your level of physical fitness and so on. The above activities offer a perfect alternative for children to keep themselves occupied as adults are on jungles Tracking Chimpanzees in Uganda or Rwanda.
Best Chimpanzee Tracking sites in Uganda and Rwanda.
Chimpanzees are undeniably amazing species of the Great Apes family. Over 5600 chimpanzees still exist in Africa and distributed in only few destinations with the most visited ones for Chimpanzee Tracking being Uganda and Rwanda. Chimpanzees are unique apes, noted to share about 98.8% of their DNA with humans.
In Uganda alone, chimpanzees live in different places but the best spots to consider a must-visit for Chimpanzee Tracking include Kibale Forest National Park with over 1500 chimpanzees, Budongo Forest which shelters about 800 chimpanzees, Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, Kyambura Gorge & Kalinzu Forest Reserve.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda can be done either in Nyungwe Forest National Park where 500 chimpanzees are sheltered and these make up part of the 13 distinct primate species that this rain-forest area protects. In Nyungwe Forest, trekking normally starts from Cyamudongo & Uwinka sectors provided that you have secured valid permits from Rwanda Development Board offices in Kigali, Rwanda.
The other alternative Chimpanzee Tracking destinations in Rwanda is Gishwati-Mukura National Park. The interesting part about Trekking Chimpanzees in Uganda and Rwanda is that visitors come across several other primates including colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, baboons, grey cheeked mangabeys, red tailed monkeys etc.
Trekking Chimpanzees in Uganda or Rwanda is perfectly done during the drier months of June to September or December to February.
Chimpanzee Trekking permit prices.
The rates for Chimpanzee Trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda differ significantly depending on where you plan to engage in this primate adventure from.
A Permit in Uganda’s Kibale Forest National Park, which is one of the best places to track Chimpanzees costs US$200, a permit for Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth n/park charges US$50, in Budongo Forest you pay US$85 while at Kalinzu Forest chimpanzee Tracking Permits are available at US$50 per person.
Chimpanzee Tracking Permits for Nyungwe National Park Rwanda on the other hand cost US$90 per person.
To enhance your experience with chimpanzees, you can opt for Chimpanzee Habituation Experience which is only conducted in Kibale Forest National Park and Budongo Forest in Uganda, East Africa. Chimpanzee Habituation Experience Permits for Kibale are available for reservation at US$250 per person.
Rules & regulations for Chimpanzee Trekking experience.
- Children below 15 year are not allowed to trek chimpanzees.
- Avoid littering the forest when on Chimp Trek in Uganda or Rwanda.
- Avoid making noise – you can make fun but at a low tone.
- Don’t eat while close to the chimpanzees.
- Taking pictures is allowed but don’t use the camera when a flashlight is on.
- In case you are suffering from flue/cough, it isn’t recommended to go trek chimps.
- Trekking chimpanzees should be done with a trained forest guide.
