Uganda is one of the few destinations in East Africa that provide the world with outstanding wild primates. Although they are spread in many countries, Uganda still stands as the best destination that offers unique tourism products to the travel world with Chimpanzee and gorilla safaris forming the most thrilling experiences for the tourists. Encountering the chimpanzee or mountain gorillas is not a usual thing but some thing that fills visitors with astonishing experiences in the wild. Despite the fact that gorilla and chimpanzee tracking form the main reason for tourists’ travel in most of the destinations, Uganda comes in different style to satisfy the national and international tourists with amazing Gorilla Habituation Experience and Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX). You can’t find these incredible experiences in any of the famous destinations that harbor chimpanzees and gorillas except Uganda. Currently, there are over 4950 chimpanzees and 480 mountain gorillas that tourists can track in Uganda’s destinations.
Habituation is a process that takes about 2-3 years while acclimatizing the primates to human presence. This process reduces on the primates’ shyness while tourists are in their habitats. It is important to note that not all these primates can be habituated except only those that are reserved for habituation purposes. Previously, to encounter the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees in the wild seemed was really hard to predict but currently the opportunities for you to meet these intelligent primates has increased to approximately 90%-100% and habituation experiences must be credited for this! Spending one (1) hour is one thing but Gorilla and Chimpanzee Habituation Experience is another total satisfaction while observing and researching these extraordinary species in the wild. Your experience involves picnic lunch in the Jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Kibale National Park and at the end of the day you will appreciate the knowledge and exciting moments after identifying these wild creatures using their scars, aggressiveness, humbleness or noise. It is a bit of crazy moment being in the jungle but once when you set your camera for the best use, you end up with remarkable experiences especially with the quality photos which in turn enhance your memories. Endeavor to pay a visit to one or two of the destinations that offer opportunities for you to see these fascinating creatures and have stories to tell to the world or write documents about these incredible primates.
Besides spending the whole day, life becomes sweeter beyond your imaginations once you step on Uganda’s jungles to see these humble creatures. You will agree with the decision the “Batwa” made to live in the forest for centuries! If you have been in air polluted areas for a longer time probably once you get into the primates’ habitat, you will really enjoy the fresh air. However, there has been confusion amongst travelers while making a choice between Gorilla Habituation Experience and Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Uganda.
Below are the differences between mountain gorilla and chimpanzee habituation experience.
Mountain gorilla Habituation Experience takes place in only Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park South Western Uganda. Visitors who are interested in this amazing experience can visit Rushanga sector where only two (2) gorilla families have been designated for tourists to enjoy all the four hours with the wild gorillas. This means you will be at Bikingi and Bushaho gorilla family. For CHEX, tourists pay a visit to Kibale Forest National Park a 795 kilometer park that forms one of the loveliest and magnificent tropical rain forests in East Africa. Kibale National Park is a famous capital of the world’s primates. Out of the total population of 4950 chimpanzees in Uganda, all the 1500 chimpanzees are found in Kibale Forest National Park, Western Uganda. Other possible places for chimpanzee habituation experience include Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge at Queen Elizabeth National Park. Amazing to observe the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in the wild and then trace out the way these incredible close relatives to humans behave in the wilderness.
The difference between Gorilla and Chimpanzee Habituation experiences is also based on their behavior. For the mountain gorillas, they live in groups (families) and for the chimpanzees they live in communities and hence Gorilla Habituation Experiences are more systematic as compared to Chimpanzee Habituation Experiences.
Considerably, during Gorilla Habituation Experience only 4 visitors per gorilla family are allowed to go for habituation experience whereas Chimpanzee Habituation Experience accommodates 6 visitors. In addition, CHEX is an all day round experience while the Gorilla Habituation Experiences takes the visitors only 4 with the mountain gorillas and yet more expensive than Chimpanzee Habituation Experiences. Gorilla experiences cost $1500 per gorilla permit per visitor while CHEX costs $220 per chimpanzee permit per tourist, especially for foreign none nationals, $150 for foreign nationals and $70 for East African nationals.
In conclusion, Gorilla and Chimpanzee Habituation Experiences is one of the most remarkable moments that allows visitors to explore these intelligent creatures for whole day till they make their new nests. Come and explore the abundant primates that Uganda has in offer for you. For habituation experiences, tourist can pay visit in the months of March, April and November when the places are not especially for Chimpanzee Habituation Experience.
