Chimp Trekking in Uganda and why Chimps are Special

Our closest cousin, The Chimpanzee, shares at least 94% of its DNA with humans. Sociable, communicative and intelligent, one of the chimp's most astonishing traits is its ability to use tools such as rocks for smashing nuts, empty pods for scooping water and sticks for drawing termites from their nests. Chimpanzees live in communities containing from 10 to 100 members. They hold hands, kiss, groom each others' offspring-young chimps do not become independent until around the age of four. But they can also be aggressive and unfriendly, particularly towards unrelated individuals. Though they spend a lot of time on the ground, chimpanzees usually eat and sleep in trees. Their varied diet includes leaves, fruit, flowers and seeds. In Uganda, Chimp Trekking is carried out in Kibale Forest National Park, Koniyo Pabidi Forest in Murchison Falls National park as well as the Kymabura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Chimp Viewing is also possible in Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary, where a section of orphaned chimps are kept.