A once in a lifetime intimate experience with our most vulnerable, endangered and closest relatives on our planet.
Chimpanzees in the greater Kibaale district in Uganda are faced with an ever shrinking habitat due to agriculture and logging. The few concerned people have no or very little support locally and externally. As a result, the chimpanzees are increasingly at a risk of getting extinct due to severe habitat loss and the growing human-chimpanzee conflicts.
In an effort to promote the conservation of these chimpanzees and other threatened biodiversity, Chimpanzee Monitoring Experience (CHIMEX) Program is monitoring a group of chimpanzees and sitatungas that live in the private forests in Kasambya sub-county(Kakumiro-District), and Kiryanga sub-county (Kagadi District, Uganda. We also implement environmental awareness in the community targeting farmers around the habitats of these important biodiversity.
The volunteer with chimpanzees program is named CHIMEX under a volunteers’ program. It is intended to be a sustainable avenue to raise funds for environmental conservation activities including chimpanzee monitoring, conservation education and appropriate development options. The program can take up to 6 volunteers at a time.
THE CHIMPANZEE VOLUNTEERING PROGRAM HAS THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
- To monitor the chimpanzee populations in the greater Kibaale district,
- To conduct environmental conservation education in the community neighboring chimpanzee habitats
- To implement reforest activities that will restore the habitats for chimpanzees and other threatened biodiversity
Chimpanzee Volunteering Experience Packages:
A. 3-days/4 nights: |
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Work with chimpanzees, tracking them in forest patches and gardens. May include short visits to nearby sites after the early morning tracking. Contribution or support to the program: per foreign Volunteer is US $200*. This fee covers accommodation, guides and local transport.
B. 6-day/7 nights: |
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Work with chimps, tracking them in forest patches and gardens. Punctuated by visits to nearby Busimba Rock, Mpaha rock, Muzimu Cave, Nabigereka rock, Igayaza Market and cultural festivals. Contribution or support to the program: per foreign Volunteer US $350*. This fee covers accommodation, guides and local transport.
C. 14 days/15 nights: |
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Tracking the chimpanzees in small forest patches and gardens. Punctuated by visits to Semwema and Munsa caves; Busimba Rock, Muzimu Cave, Mpaha rock, Nabigereka rock, Igayaza Market and cultural festivals. Contribution or support to the program: per foreign Volunteer US $600*. This fee covers accommodation, guides and local transport.
D. Long Term: |
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A long term program that involves local and international researchers on the primates, natural resources and social issues is being arranged. This will require processing of necessary permits and payment of statutory fees. Other payments at the site are negotiable according to length of stay.
E. National Parks: |
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Arranging Packages to National Parks: we also organize for interested individuals or groups visits to protected areas within Uganda.
NOTE : Ideal number of Volunteers at a time is 1-6. All packages exclude meals, transport to and from site and other expenses.
* CHIMEX Program is non profit – all funds paid for volunteering are used directly for conservation of the chimpanzees.
Testimonials
Read the reports of people who have worked here in the past:-
“I have spent time working with project manager Joseph Serugo on the KCCS / Our Chimps project site…It is a great way to get a view into the traditional Ugandan life…I would like to recommend Joseph as a very credible individual and with the skills and drive to make any project a success…” [read more] – Sam D’Cruz (London, UK)
Discover The Real Uganda!
Stay in an authentic homestay in a traditional village. While you volunteer with chimps, discover the real remote parts of Uganda and enjoy the hospitatlity of the friendly welcoming local people who are just as excited to have you visit as you are.
Learn about local traditions, try local delicacies and really become a part of the culture.
