Chimpanzee Trekking Adventure in Kibale Forest
Chimpanzee trekking Adventure in Kibale Forest offers the best experience for those seeking exceptional chimpanzee adventure in Africa. It is located in the western Uganda Kabarole district; Kibale Forest National Park spans 321 square kilometers. The park is home to over 370 bird species, 13 primates, and 120 mammals in the tropical rainforest that makes up this wonderful national park. In Kibale Forest National Park, trekking chimpanzees is the most popular activity for thousands of visitors worldwide. The park has the highest number of chimpanzees in the whole world. It also hosts 12 other primate species, including L’Hoest’s, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and olive baboons.
The chimpanzee trekking adventure in Kibale Forest
After breakfast, trekkers will head to the Kanyanchu Visitor’s Centre for the primate walk in Kibale Forest National Park, which starts early in the morning. Trekkers congregate here to receive a briefing from the rangers regarding the activity’s rules and regulations. Trekkers are divided into groups and assigned armed ranger guides to lead them on the walk after the briefing. Armed ranger guides and trekkers drive to the trail points, which are located inside the Kibale forest. Armed ranger guides ensure the safety of trekkers as they traverse several trekking trails in search of these intelligent creatures.
To find out where the chimps might be, the armed ranger guides always hunt for areas where these primates might have dropped food or passed. More still, rangers are constantly in contact with one another. Trekkers witness several wildlife species that call this park home as they search among the many vegetation types that serve as habitats for the park’s birds and animals. Chimpanzees are eventually sighted after hours of searching in the jungle. As soon as they are identified, trekkers spend an hour learning their behaviours and lifestyle, not missing out on capturing memorable photos.
Once the trekking activity is over, trekkers are advised of the rules and regulations as they move away from the tracked group. Trekking comes with opportunities like seeing other primates like blue, red-tailed, L’hoest, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and others recorded in the park.
What is the cost of chimpanzee tracking permits in Kibale Forest?
Tourists must purchase a chimpanzee tracking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority to track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park. A chimpanzee trekking permit is UGX 180,000 for East African Member States, $250 for foreign non-residents, and $200 for foreign residents. On the day of tracking, the prices cover nature walks, admission fees, and guide fees.
Due to the limited number of chimpanzee tracking permits available in Kibale Forest National Park, visitors who want to spend time with these intelligent creatures are encouraged to make reservations 3 to 4 months in advance. This is advised to avoid last-minute disappointment.
How many chimpanzee trekking adventure permits are available in Kibale Forest?
In Kibale Forest National Park, there are now 72 trekking permits available per day. Trekkers utilise some of these permits in the morning, while others are used in the afternoon. Travellers who have chosen to go chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park are advised to make reservations at least three to four months in advance, especially if they are visiting during the busiest travel seasons of June to September and December to February, as there are fewer permits available than trekkers.
Best time to go on a chimpanzee trekking adventure in Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park offers chimpanzee trekking throughout the year, although the ideal seasons to visit are from June to September and December to February. The driest months are when Kibale Forest National Park experiences the most sunshine and the least rainfall. Tourists can easily navigate the dry trekking trails with little foliage and a decent chance of seeing chimps.
Visitors can still visit Kibale Forest National Park and receive discounted tour packages because lodges lower their rates. However, a lot of rain falls during the March to May and October to November rainy seasons, so visitors should prepare for severe rain at any time of day.
Getting to Kibale Forest for a chimpanzee trekking adventure
Road transport is the most efficient way for visitors to reach Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee trekking. The drive from Entebbe/Kampala to Kibale Forest National Park takes six to seven hours and is replete with breathtaking scenery. Travellers drive south to the park from Entebbe via Kampala, Mityana, Mubende, Kyegegwa, Kyenjonjo, and Fort Portal.
Where to stay on a chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale Forest?
The best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park is in the morning, and visitors from far away should stay the night before the walk. In Kibale, travellers can stay at mid-range, low-cost, or luxury lodges before or after trekking. Turaco treetops, Kibale Forest Lodge, Primate Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Isunga Lodge, Rubalika Safari Lodge and Farm, Chimpundu Lodge, and Ndali Lodge, among others.