The Chimpanzee frequently called a Chimp is known to be the existing animal closest in nature to human and is believed to share 98% of their DNA with humans.
The weight of a mature well grown male chimpanzee is approximated to be between 35 – 70 kilograms and close to three meters tall whereas the female grow up to 26 – 50 kilograms and height of 2 – 4 feet.
Chimpanzees’ life expectancy is at 40 years although some can live up to 60 years.
Several efforts have been acknowledges, put in place and supported to conserve the chimpanzees with a total population of more than 1400 chimps living in this forest. The Jane Goodall Foundation has played a significant role in conserving not only mountain Gorillas but the Chimpanzees as well in Uganda. Unique about Kibale Forest is that it is not only habitat to the chimpanzee but to 12 other primate species among which are: the blue monkeys, pottos monkey, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, red colobus, grey-cheeked mangabeys, bush babies, L’Hoest’s monkey, red-tailed monkeys and the black and white colobus monkeys.
Guided Chimpanzee tracking of the habituated chimpanzee families in done in this forest and this has been the main reason as to why several people set out to visit this national park. The Guided walks within the forest are conducted daily and guests are allowed to take part in the habituation process of chimpanzees starting early in the morning when the chimps are de-nesting and in the evening when they lay their nests for the overnight Chimp tracking is very exciting since you get the chance to marvel at the human-like activities of these apes. The tracking requires less walking as compared to gorilla tracking and it is very rewarding as you see chimps jumping from one tree brunch to another searching for fruits while others spend some time on the ground.
The chimpanzees are recognized as the most prominent habitats in this verdant forest with a great number of them taking shelter here. The Kanyanchu River-Camp group or family of chimpanzees was back in 1991 habituated and is open for tourism activity.
