Chimpanzee trekking in kibale forest national park 2023/2024
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park 2023/2024; Chimpanzee trekking is he second best done activity in Uganda after gorilla trekking and it involves travelers moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated chimpanzees and once found spend one hour with them in their habitat. Kibale forest national park also known as the primate capital is located in western part of Uganda in Kabarole district. Kibale forest national park is a home of 13 primate species including 1,500 Chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, grey checked mangabey, l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons among others. Chimpanzee trekking is Uganda is also done in Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park, Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park and Kalinzu forest.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations at Kanyachu park headquarters. After the briefing, you will be sub divided into groups of 6 people where each group will be allocated a chimpanzee family to trek and an experienced park guide who is conversant with trekking trails in the forest. Trekking of chimpanzees in Kibale forest national park takes about 30 minutes to 5 hours depending on their location because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primates like grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, view different bird species, tree species among others. Once the chimpanzees are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, watch them feed, play, fight, breastfeed, mate, hunt, rest, take photos and record the beautiful moments to show people back home.
Cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale forest national park
A chimpanzee trekking permits 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.
How to book chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale forest national park
Chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale forest national park can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) where you will contact them through email or telephone calls. Chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale forest national park can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact our tour consultants via telephone or email with the date, month and year when you wish to visit the chimpanzees. After contacting us we will check for permit availability on your preferred dates and if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit. Once we receive the money, we will purchase the permits on your behalf.
Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale forest national park 2023/2024
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park can be done anytime throughout the year though the best period is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February. During the dry season, the national park receives less rainfall therefore chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery.
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 whereby you will drive from Kampala via Mubende Fort Portal or Masaka Mbarara and then to the park headquarters which takes about 6 to 7 hours’ drive.
Kibale forest national park can also be accessed by air transport means whereby you will book charter of scheduled domestic flights from Entebbe international airport to Kasese or Semuliki airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
You can as well access Kibale forest national park from Queen Elizabeth national park which takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive.
Where to stay in Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest national park has a number of accommodation facilities ranging from luxury, midrange and budget where you can stay during your chimpanzee trekking safari including Ndali lodge, Kibale forest lodge, Chimpundu lodge, Primate Lodge, Crater safari lodge, Kyaninga lodge, Chimpanzee forest lodge, Isunga lodge, Papaya lake lodge, Turaco treetops lodge, Kibale forest camp among others.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park is an exciting activity that shouldn’t be missed during your safari in Uganda and it can also be combined with interesting activities like wildlife viewing, boat cruise, lion tracking experience among others in Queen Elizabeth national park.
