Our closest neighbours out here are the Mikimere Group chimp community, and time with them is unforgettably life-changing.
Each morning you’ll begin a steady climb through the silence of the forest following distant chimp calls. Our main quest is always on foot to a wild living group of chimpanzees, whose complex social and political manoeuvrings are played out within a few feet of us. Their behaviour is interpreted by their greatest fans, our team of chimpanzee experts who can recognize each individual and the significance of every action.
A string of camps in some of the wildest places on the planet. A front row seat to the best wildlife in Africa. Backstage is the engine room for opportunity.
The start of the dry season and the most challenging time for trekking to see the chimps. A main source of fruit are the bunches of tiny Canthium Vulgare (wild coffee) fruit, and the more succulent Mohororo fig. Both species are found in the higher reaches of the mountains in the east of their home range, which can be a tough, long trek from camp.
Various fruits become more abundant in the lower ranges of the mountains and the chimps tend to start sporadic forays down onto the lower slopes, often with small groups of males leading the way. It is this time of the year that they also tend to supplement their diet with a bit of hard protein in the form of Red Colobus monkeys and seeing a hunt is very exciting. Figs and lemons are a favourite and can result in large numbers of the group congregating in areas an easy hour and a half walk from camp.
This is one of the best times to see the chimps and trekking can be relatively easy. The chimps rarely head high to the eastern hills but often spend days in the northern reaches of their home range seeking out the wild nutmeg and Kasolyo Granite Garcinia and Buhono fruits. They can from time-to-time head for odd days into the almost impenetrable steep southern hills but rarely spend more than a day or two there before returning to the lowlands.
The onset of the rains coincides with less abundant fruit and the chimp’s diet is comprised mainly of leaves and pith of plants such as the wild ginger. The group generally spreads more thinly in search of food but are still often found in larger groups generally in the lower reaches of the mountains and trekking is not too difficult.
The green season offers varied viewing, although the forest is at its resplendent best, full of butterflies and wildflowers. It’s a photographer’s dream, as the haze which is often prevalent during other times of the year, is gone, leaving the air clear and bright. The chimps continue to feed mainly on grasses, leaves, and whatever fruit they can find, though the lowland Ilombo vine fruit comes into its own in December attracting big chimp parties. Their daytime siestas tend to take place in tree nests rather than on the ground and the meetings between group members are theatrical and impressive. The lake is clearest in these months often with breathtaking views of the mountains of the Congo in the distance. February can be especially hard to locate the chimps as they follow their primary food source into the higher reaches and thicker parts of the forest so be prepared for more challenging trekking.
Tends to be wet and the camp closes during this time as it does rain quite a bit each day, making trekking difficult. However, the staff who remain in camp during this time, are often treated to groups of chimps attending loud and cheerful ‘banquets’ in nearby trees, as the fruit of the Mkibu tree comes into its own attracting large groups who hang about in them.
