Also known as CHEX, chimpanzee habituation experience is a full day hands-on experience with wild chimpanzees in the jungle. Yes, chimpanzee habituation experience is an experimental process of training wild chimpanzees to get accustomed to people around them. The experience is the advanced or extended chimpanzee trekking experience. Travelers spend a full day learning, training, taming and enjoying the company of their close relatives. Whereas most people have mistaken chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation experiences to be similar, the two activities are quite different. Chimpanzee habituation experience is the first stage that chimpanzees go through before they are opened to travelers for trekking. It’s a 2-3 years training process of wild chimpanzees to make them get used to people. Unlike in chimpanzee trekking where a traveler is only an observer, chimpanzee habituation experience gives a traveler chance to be an active participant.
Difference between CHEX and chimpanzee trekking
Whereas the two experiences are related, the two are different in some way. Chimpanzee habituation experience is the first step in which chimps are tamed ad trained to make them ready for trekking while chimpanzee trekking is the actual encounter with the already habituated chimpanzees. Moreso, chimpanzee habituation is a full day encounter with gorillas while chimpanzee trekking lasts for an hour. CHEX is, therefore, an extended version of chimpanzee trekking. Regarding the number of people allowed, only four people are allowed to habituate one chimpanzee community unlike the 8 people allowed in trekking.
Where to do Chimpanzee habituation experience
Kibale Forest National Park is the Centre of chimpanzee habituation experience. Actually it’s the only place where travelers can do this magical experience in the whole of Uganda and East Africa. Chimpanzee habituation experience is one of the popular tourist activities in Kibale Forest that no traveler should miss. Kibale Forest National Park is a primate capital in Africa sheltering 13 primates including the famous chimpanzees. The tropical rain forest is home to over 5000 chimpanzees making it the best place to see these primates. The experience starts at Kanyanchu information Centre
How is the day of CHEX like?
The day of chimpanzee habituation experience starts as early as 6:00 am. Travelers are required to wake up very early, have breakfast at their lodges and with packed lunch transfer to Kanyanchu Information Centre for registration and briefing. At around 6:00 am, the hike starts. Travelers are guided to where chimpanzees spent the previous night to catch up with them waking up. The reason for early rising is to start off the day with chimpanzees from the time they wake up so as not to miss any of their activities, you will enjoy them wake up, feed, copulate, hunt and leave their nests for the day activities. Follow their movements throughout the day, learn more about their lifestyles and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.
Cost of Chimpanzee Habituation experience
A single permit for chimpanzee habituation experience costs $220 for foreign non-residents, $150 for foreign residents and $75 for East African residents. Chimpanzee permit booking is required as early as 4 months in advance for timely and proper planning. Booking can be done directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority or through African Apes Holidays, the ultimate Uganda safari company.
What to pack for CHEX?
The fact that it’s a full day spent in the jungle, travelers are reminded to pack the right attire to avoid disappointments and difficulties in trekking. The experience is not walking away but rather adventurous and quite challenging for the faint-hearted. The packing list for chimpanzee habituation experience include:
1. Hiking boots/shoes
2. Gardening gloves
3. Sunglasses
4. Hat
5. Rain jacket
6. Long-sleeved shirts/blouses
7. Long pants
8. First aid kit
9. Scarf and sweaters
10. Bottled drinking water
11. Energy giving snacks
Reminder: A walking stick and porter are highly recommended for a more enjoyable and less difficult chimpanzee habituation experience.
Rules and Regulations of chimpanzee habituation experience
Like in trekking, chimpanzee habituation experience has guidelines that all participants must follow. The rules and regulations of chimpanzee habituation experience are put by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to ensure the safety of travelers and these endangered species. These include:
1. Keep a distance of seven meters from the chimpanzees
2. Keep your voices low
3. Do not litter in the park
4. Do not use flashlight cameras
5. Do not trek when sick
6. Keep within your group, walking alone in the jungle exposes you to risks of wild animals
Other activities to do in Kibale Forest National Park
Besides chimpanzee habituation experience, Kibale Forest National Park is a Centre of many more tourist activities which include:
• Chimpanzee trekking
• Colobus trekking
• Bird watching
• Bigodi wetland Sanctuary walk
• Forest/Nature walk
• Community visits
Other places to trek chimps in Uganda
The other chimpanzee tour destinations in Uganda include Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park and Kalinzu Forest. The trekking experience in each destination is different and exceptional and so as the prices.
Conclusively, chimpanzee habituation experience is a lifetime experience you ought to enjoy. Book a Uganda primates tour to Kibale Forest National Park and be part of the full day chimpanzee habituation experience with African Apes Tours & Travel.
