Kibale National Park is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees with 6 habituated communities which can be experienced with a stay at Kibale Lodge. These communities are divided into 3 research communities and 3 habituated for tourist trekking.
The 3 chimpanzee communities; Kanyawala, Ngogo and Sebitoli have been habituated for scientific research. The Uganda Wildlife Authorities (UWA) and the Kibale Chimpanzee Project carry out long-term research with a team of local and international scientist to conserve the chimpanzees and their welfare.
In 2023, the Netflix original documentary Chimp Empire followed the story of the Ngogo Community in Kibale Forest National Park. The Ngogo Community is one of the largest known chimpanzee communities with an estimated 200 members.
The Kanyantale Community were the pioneering community for tourist tracking. Led by alpha male Rukara, the community was first tracked in 1993. The community has over 90 members.
The Buraiga Community – Led alpha male Ruhara, the Buaiga Community is the most recently habituated community.
The Kisongi Community
Kyambura Gorge is home to a single habituated chimpanzee community of 30 individuals, referred to as the ‘Lost Chimpanzees of Kyambura Gorge’. The steep-sided Kyambura Gorge is an extraordinary natural environment with only eight permits available daily.
Begin your trek directly from Kyambura Gorge Lodge with the Fig Tree Nature Walk, a private trail which connects guests to park headquarters to start of your chimpanzee trek. The group is less well habituated than chimpanzee communities in Kibale National Park which makes for an exciting and adventurous hike through the gorge, crossing the Kyambura River using natural log bridges as you try to keep up with the fast moving troop. This elusive experience can take between 2-5 hours after leaving the park headquarters.
The community of 30 individuals is formed of 7 families, all currently led by an alpha male called Mweya.
The ‘A’ Family: 5 members
Asaba gave birth to her first baby, a girl named Asante in 2003 and has since given birth to four boys. Unfortunately, her oldest son, Asiimwe who was born in 2008, disappeared around 2018 and is believed to have died. Her younger sons all appear to be thriving. She is expected to have a new baby in 2025.
The ‘E’ Family: 6 members
Emiti is a high-ranking female with a fast reproductive rate. She gives birth, on average, every 2-3 years. However, chimpanzee infants can nurse for up to four years, and having another baby before the first is weaned can result in infants competing for milk, often meaning the younger one often doesn’t survive. Emiti lost two newborns because of short interbirth intervals. In each case, the baby was replaced the following year.
The ‘K’ Family: 3 members.
Kaaka is the community’s oldest chimpanzee, estimated to be in her 50s. Her two youngest children, Kihango and Kazinga are both in their 20s. They have good genetics Kihango, was the alpha male in Kyambura from 2017 – 2022 and his younger brother, Kazinga, who was born in 2006, is currently vying for the top position.
The ‘M’ Family: 5 members, including the alpha male Mweya.
Murungi is known for being a good mother and has close bonds with her kids. She has four children; three sons and a daughter, Masika. The three sons include Mweya, Kyambura’s current alpha male.
The ’N’ Family: 4 member
In 2005, Njuuko arrived in the Kyambura community from an external community. Four years later, she gave birth to her first baby, Namanya. Since then, she has had three sons and one daughter, named Nagazi. She is currently pregnant and expected to give birth at the end of 2024.
The ‘P’ Family: 3 members
Pamba, a female chimpanzee, was born into the Kyambura community and has chosen not to emigrate, a non-normal behavioral pattern for female chimpanzees. Since she has had three boys, each born four years apart. She is currently pregnant and expected to give birth in early 2025.
The ‘O’ Family: 2 members
Owoyesiga, a female chimpanzee, joined the Kyambura chimpanzee community in early 2019. She had her first baby in 2022, a boy named Omugabe, and is expecting her second baby in 2024.
Write to us on [email protected] or send us a message via the form on our contact page.
Rwanda: +250 (0) 252 502 452
Uganda: +256 (0) 414 346 464
© Volcanoes Safaris 1997 – 2024. All Rights Reserved
Write to us on [email protected] or send us a message via the form on our contact page.
Rwanda: +250 (0) 252 502 452
Uganda: +256 (0) 414 346 464
Tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor is nothing short of exhilarating. The chimps effortlessly cross and scamper through the trees above the gorge, and visitors on the other hand must cross the river using natural bridges in order to keep up with the chimps. So although the walk usually lasts only 2–3 hours, descending the steep gorge and crossing the log bridges over the river requires some agility and fitness.
Chimpanzee tracking is also available in nearby Kalinzu, a forest reserve 30 minutes drive from Kyambura Gorge Lodge where there is a community of about 40 habituated chimpanzees.
