We then drove to Kibale Forest National Park.... to go trekking chimpanzees! Kibale Forest is hoe to the highest concentration of primates in the world, with 12 different species recorded. The main attraction of course though is the chimpanzees.
After dividing up into small groups, everyone fanned out around the park as we went in search of the chimps. We hiked into the park for only about 30 minutes before we were rewarded with some noises not too far off. Another 5 minutes of following the noise, and we came to a huge fig tree where we saw them! I really can't even tell you how incredible it was to sit and watch them. I could have stayed there the entire day and night.
We were deep in the forest, and it seemed as though we were watching the only chimps around that area. However, twice while we were watching them, a sound started to our left, then we heard some chimps call from some other chimps in that direction. Then, suddenly, the call got louder, more chimpanzees that were clearly closer started to echo the call, then the chimps above us joined in, then suddenly from our right another group started. An immense sound filled the air all around us as the chimps- who were clearly everywhere in the forest around where we were- all relayed the call. It was truly spectacular to hear it!
AND, we got lucky enough that a small baby was spotted in the group! The guys leading the groups said he was around a year old.
I just can't get over what an amazing experince it is to see these incredible creatures in the wild. Seeing them like this was just something that I can't even describe, but will deeply treasure for the rest of my life.
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