Are There Chimpanzees in Bwindi? Chimpanzees in Bwindi are one of the rarest and most fascinating creatures in Uganda’s wild.
They are the second largest primates after mountain gorillas, with about 98% DNA similarity to humans, making them close cousins to humans.
Chimpanzees are divided into two groups: common chimpanzees and baboon species.
Chimpanzees are frugivores, meaning they feed on various fruits. Through their movements and waste disposal, they help in forest regeneration by dispersing seeds.
It is exciting to note that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has over 400 chimpanzees out of more than 5,050 chimpanzees worldwide. This makes Bwindi the only gorilla destination in the world where gorillas and chimpanzees share the same habitat.
Bwindi is home to the common chimpanzee species known as Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii. While on a safari in Bwindi, chimpanzees can be easily spotted in the Buhoma area in the north and the Nkuringo sector in the south of the park.
Although chimpanzees in Bwindi are not habituated like in other locations, they are more visible compared to mountain gorillas. They thrive in the highland rainforest.
Important Chimpanzee Facts to Note
- A mature male chimpanzee weighs between 40–60 kg and has an average height of 1.6 m, while a female weighs 30–40 kg with a height of 1.3 m.
- Chimpanzees have coarse black hair, except on their toes, palms, face, fingers, and soles of their feet. Their thumbs and toes are opposite to each other, giving them a strong grip.
- Like mountain gorillas, chimpanzees live in communities led by an alpha male, who is the strongest in the group.
- Chimpanzees reach puberty at 10–12 years. Females give birth to about 4–6 babies during their lifetime.
- The average lifespan of a chimpanzee is 40 years in the wild and 50 years in captivity.
- Chimpanzees in Bwindi are not habituated because of the high cost of habituation and the availability of better locations where habituation has already been successfully implemented.
Other Animals to See During Nature Walks in Bwindi
- Vervet monkeys
- Red-tailed monkeys
- Olive baboons
- Black-and-white colobus monkeys
- L’Hoest’s monkeys
Chimpanzees in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are beautiful creatures. Although they are not exactly trekked, they can easily be seen during nature walks and other activities in the highland forest.
