It’s a great experience to watch chimpanzee nesting, as you watch how creative these primates are, as they collect tree branches together so as to get a nest made. Nest-building, sometimes considered to be a form of tool use, is seen when chimpanzees construct arboreal night nests by lacing together branches from one or more trees to build a safe, comfortable place to sleep; infants learn this process by watching their mothers.
The nest provides a sort of mattress, which is supported by strong branches for a foundation, and then lined with softer leaves and twigs; the minimum diameter is 5 meters (16 ft) and may be located at a height of 3 to 45 meters (10 to 150 ft). Both day and night nests are built, and may be located in groups. However nesting is done in places which is seen to more safe, chimps often nest near places where there is plenty of food. They can also nest temporary during day time so as to take a nap.
In case there is plenty of food, chimps often do day time temporary nesting for a nap, but if there is food scarcity, chimpanzees tend to me more active and mobile as they move up and down to fill their bellies as they will be busy hunting for food from all angles, visiting tree to tree, so as to get something to put inside.
You may have a chance to watch chimpanzee carry out their nesting experience during your trekking time, however, to watch this well. You may opt for the habituation experience, as it gives you a full day stay with the chimpanzees, and you watch them right from de-nesting to nesting time. Chimpanzees can reuse the nest or make new nest depending on the condition of the nest, and also food availability. If they sleep in the same area as previous day, chances is high to reuse the same nest.
Majorly, adult chimpanzees are the ones that make the nest, the juveniles often share the same nest with their mother’s other at certain period they as well start to learn to make nest, but next to their mother’s nest as they seek for protection.
Female chimpanzees tend to make their nest, far on top of tree, as male tend to make their nest, near to ground to protect the females with juveniles above them.
Don’t miss to watch over for this experience at Kibale National Park, during your trekking experience.