Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park ; Chimpanzee trekking is the major activity in Kibale forest national park and it involves moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the chimpanzee families and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Kibale forest national park also known as the primate capital is located in western region and its known for harboring 13 primate species including more than 1,500 chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, l’hoest’ monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, red colobus monkeys, olive baboons, patas monkeys among others.
Apart from Kibale forest national park, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is also done in Kyambura gorge – Queen Elizabeth national park, Kalinzu forest, Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park and Toro-Semuliki game reserve.
Chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale forest national park
Chimpanzee trekking is an interesting activity in Kibale forest national park and it starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations at Kanyachu visitors Centre. After the briefing you will be divided into groups of 6 people where each group will be allocated a chimpanzee family to trek and an experienced park guide. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they like to move from place to place in search of food. During trekking you will be able to view other primates like grey cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, view some animals, bird species among others. Once the chimpanzees are located you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their environment which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their habits, lifestyle, behaviors, watch them feed, play, hunt, fight, breastfeed, rest, take photos and record videos to show people back home after the Uganda safari.
Kibale forest national park also offers chimpanzee habituation experience an adventurous activity where the wild chimpanzees are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Chimpanzee habituation experience takes a period of 2 to 3 years to be complete and tourists who engage in the habituation experience get a chance to spend four hours in the presence of the chimpanzees.
Cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale forest national park
A chimpanzee trekking permit is a document or card that is issued to any visitor above the age of 15 years allowing him or her to visit a habituated chimpanzee family in Kibale forest national park. A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale forest national park costs 200 USD per person for foreign non residents, 150 USD per person for foreign residents and 150,000 UGX per person for East African citizens. A chimpanzee habituation permit costs 250 USD per person for foreign non residents, 250 USD per person for foreign residents and 150,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
How to book a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale forest national park
A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale forest national park can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by contacting the offices in Kampala via email or telephone calls. You can also book a chimpanzee trekking permit through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris by contacting us with the dates when you wish to visit the chimpanzees. After contacting us, we will check for permit availability and if there are permits that match with your dates, you will asked to make a deposit for the permits. Once we receive the money, we will purchase the permits on your behalf.
Chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale forest national park should however be booked 2 to 4 months in advance before the trekking date because they are competitive and get sold out quickly especially during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February.
Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park
This activity can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is in the dry season during the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because that’s the time when the chimpanzee trekking trails are dry and passable due to less rainfall.
How to get to Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest national park is located in western part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means where by you will drive from Kampala or Entebbe through Mubende, Fort Portal or through Mbarara, Kamwenge to the park headquarters which takes about 6 to 7 hours’ drive in a 4WD safari vehicle.
Where to stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale forest national park
There are a wide range of accommodation facilities in Kibale forest national park where you can stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari. The accommodations range from luxury, midrange and budget including Kibale forest camp, Mountain of the moon hotel, Chimpanzee forest guest house, Chimps Nest, Primate lodge, Kyaninga lodge, Chimpundu lodge, Ndali Kasenda lodge, Papaya Lake lodge, Isunga lodge, Nyabulitwa country resort and safari camp, Crater safari lodge, Kibale safari lodge, Kibale Guest cottages, Turaco treetops, Rwetera safari park among others.
Chimpanzee trekking is a must do activity during your safari in Uganda and can be combined with wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth national park or gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park. For more information about chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park, do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various safari packages.
