Chameleon tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is intended mainly to discover the three-horned Jackson’s Chameleon. These chameleon species are only endemic to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Forest is a concentration of thousands of plant species that have an untold attraction of all sorts of fauna species. The misty Bwindi Forest provides an ecosystem for them to breed and thrive without any potential danger from dangerous human activity. This is another addition to the already existing mountain gorillas in the park.
The three-horned Jackson’s Chameleon thrives at an altitude not less than 1,700 meters above sea level. The species also known as Trioceros Jacksonii is endangered and therefore much attention has been given to it to conserve and protect its remnants. The Park is therefore a heritage site, and they get to share another priority endangered species within the park (mountain gorillas).
The three-horned Jackson’s Chameleon has strange characteristics that should interest any tourist. An example of that is its lifespan. The chameleon can live up to 18 years. It spends its lifetime roaming on a free range. Different from the other tens of chameleon species, the female three-horned Jackson’s Chameleon gives birth. The other chameleon species are known for laying eggs that later get fertilized, and when the hatching period arrives, the eggs burst the young chameleons out.
Another major fact is their friendliness, and besides their physical appearance, they are nonpoisonous. Just like other chameleon species, it camouflages with the shifts in the environment to keep discreet from potential predators too, especially the snakes and birds. These chameleons feed on crickets, ants, grasshoppers, bugs, and other smaller insect species
The chameleon tracking costs just $20 per individual.
Dry seasons are the most convenient season, although chameleon tracking can be done all year round. The advantage of dry seasons is that visitors don’t have to worry about the slippery terrain while in the wilderness. This therefore makes the months of July up to September, and then December to February the most convenient months for historical chameleon tracking. The bushes, shrubs, and thickets are also available for study from the tourists, with information being disseminated to them by the park ranger guides.
Since chameleons live in higher altitudes, tracking them often commences at about 1,800 up to 2,000 meters above sea level. Since they are known to be accustomed to a free-range mode of movement, the tourists get an opportunity to be self-guide.
Visitors shouldn’t be worried about the hardships of locating them since they are in great numbers and evenly distributed in a wide area where they can be spotted without much effort. This makes chameleon trekking so distinct from other forms of tracking since they come with strict guidance from the park’s guides.
Accessing Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for chameleon tracking by road is close to about 7 to 8 hours duration. This is for travelers who set off from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala. This journey goes through Masaka and Kabale, up to Kisoro district as the tourist enjoys a road trip experience in a 4×4 vehicle.
Air travel is also available for visitors in need from Entebbe International Airport by using domestic flights to either Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip.
