Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park is second to none as far as chimpanzee trekking safaris in Uganda are concerned. Chimpanzee trekking is a very exciting and adventurous activity that is worth experiencing during your stay in Uganda.

Kibale national park is found in the western part of Uganda in Fort Portal district. The park has the largest population of chimpanzees in Uganda with over 1500 individuals. The national park is also home to 13 other primate species including Red Colobus Monkeys, Red Tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, L-Hoest Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Olive Baboons, and Grey Cheeked Mangabey to mention but a few.

The national park is also a home of 70 mammal species such as Forest Elephants, Giant Forest Hogs, Antelopes, Bush pigs, Buffaloes, Duikers, Otters and over 350 bird species such as the Great Blue Turaco, Green Breasted Pitta, Blue Headed Sunbird, Purple Breasted Sunbird, Black Bee-eater, Red Faced Woodland Warbler among others.

Other destinations in Uganda where chimpanzee trekking can be done include Budongo Forest in Murchison falls national park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park, Kalinzu Forest adjacent to Queen Elizabeth national park and Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national park can either be done in the morning or evening hours. Chimpanzee trekking in the park during the morning hours commence at exactly 8am with visitors excepted to report at Kanyachu Visitor’s Center at exactly 7am. Upon your arrival at the park headquarters in Kanyachu, visitors have to sign into the visitor registrar and are later briefed by the head ranger at the park.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national park in western Uganda takes between 2 to 6 hours depending on how long it takes for trekkers to locate a chimpanzee group. The trails in Kibale forest that trekkers use while tracking chimpanzees can either be muddy and slippery during the wet season, or they can be dry and easily hiked during the dry season.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national park is conducted in small groups of six individuals for each chimpanzee group being tracked. Once the chimpanzee family has been located the visitors will be allowed to spend one hour in the presence of the chimpanzees in their natural environment taking photos, learning more about chimpanzee habits, behaviors and capturing the moments of the chimpanzees playing, de-nesting, hunting, mating, socializing, making new beds for the night among others which give visitors the best experience on their safari.

The national park also offers chimpanzee habituation experience which allows a maximum of four people per chimpanzee group and you will be able to spend four hours with the chimpanzees because the habituation process takes a full day with the researchers, guides, rangers among others hence giving you life time memories.

Best Time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national park

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national park can be done at any time of the year; however the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February when the grass is short and gives clear viewing of the chimpanzees and the grounds are not so muddy and slippery though it can rain any time because Kibale is a tropical forest. Chimpanzees can also be visited in the wet season also known as the low season in the months of March to May and October to November when the park receives a lot of rainfall which makes chimpanzee trekking difficult due to muddy and slippery grounds and tall grass which make chimpanzee viewing difficult. There is less congestion for Chimpanzee trekking during the wet season and the a great time for bird watching in that there will be a lot of fruits in the forest trees which act as food for the birds.

Cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale national park

Chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale national park cost $150 for Foreign Non Residents, $100 for Foreign Residents and UGX 100,000 for East African citizens while a chimpanzee habituation permit costs $200 for Foreign Non Residents, $200 for Foreign Residents and UGX 150,000 for East African citizens. Chimpanzee trekking permits can be obtained directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority head offices in Kampala or through a trusted tour operator like Explore Rwanda Tours which can purchase a chimpanzee trekking for you and also plan other safari activities which you can engage in during your stay in Uganda. However Chimpanzee trekking permits should be purchased in advance before the trekking date because they can be competitive and get sold out especially during the peak in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. The chimpanzee trekking permit allows you to spend one hour with the chimpanzees in their natural habitat taking photos and learning more about the chimpanzees compared to chimpanzee habituation experience which allows you to spend four hours with the chimpanzees and the permit is valid for one day.

What to wear and pack for chimpanzee trekking activity in Kibale national park

Chimpanzee trekking permit; this is the most important item to carry when going for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national park because it’s the key to trekking chimps and without the valid chimpanzee trekking permit you won’t be able to trek chimpanzees.
Hiking boots; the boots should be comfortable for easy movement in the muddy and slippery rain forest hence the boots will protect your ankles and feet from mud.
Long sleeved shirt and trousers; the long sleeved shirt and trousers will protect your body from thorny bushes and also give you warmth since the forest can be cold during morning and evening hours.
Garden gloves; the garden gloves will protect your hands from prinking thickets, thorny tress in the forest since you can sometimes touch the plants and they can also protect your hands from germs.
Insect repellent; this protects your body from insects since chimpanzee trekking is done in the forest full of insects such as tsetse flies and safari ants.
Drinking water; when going for chimpanzee trekking activity its recommended to carry at least 2 liters drinking water since trekking takes a lot of time in the tropical rain forest and water will give you energy to continue trekking.
Hat and sunglasses; the hat will protect your head from direct sunshine and rain while trekking in the tropical rain forest.
Camera; this is also an important item to carry when going for chimpanzee trekking in that it’s used to take photos during the one hour with the chimpanzees and also capture the moments on your safari in Uganda.
Waterproof back pack; this is a bag that is used to carry you chimpanzee trekking items such as insect repellent, drinking water among others.
Binoculars; Since Kibale national park is also among the top birding destinations in Uganda, it would be great to have a pair of binoculars during your chimpanzee trekking experience in the park.

Chimpanzee trekking rules and regulations in Kibale national park.

Visitors under the age of 15 years are not allowed to trek chimpanzees
Visitors should keep a distance of 8 meters away from the chimpanzees in their presence
Visitors who have flu, cold or diarrhea are advised to cancel trekking because chimpanzees can catch human diseases.
Do not should not litter while in the forests
Do not eat while in the presence of the chimpanzees
Do not use flash cameras while taking photos of the chimpanzees during the one hour with the chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
If you want to ease yourself, you can do that off the chimpanzee trails and bury your waste 30cm deep to prevent the chimps from getting near the waste.
Keep you voices low while in the forest
You are allowed to spend one hour in the presence of the chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Chimpanzee trekking activity allows a maximum of 6 people to trek each chimpanzee family.
Do not leave your group when trekking in the forest because it’s not safe alone.
Follow the guide’s instructions while trekking in the forest.

Where to stay when trekking chimpanzees in Kibale national park

There are a wide range of luxury, midrange and budget accommodations facilities available in Kibale national park for visitors looking to spend a night or two in the park. Some of the available accommodation facilities in the park include: Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, Primate Lodge, Kibale Guest Camp, Mountains of the Moon Hotel, Chimp Nest Lodge, Rwenzori View Guest House, and Kibale Safari Lodge among others.

The lodges offer great scenic views of the Crater lakes, Kibale forest, Rwenzori Mountains, offer comfortable beds, prepare delicious international and local dishes, offer free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, massage, cool environment for relaxation after chimpanzee trekking activity among others hence making the safari exciting.

How to get to Kibale national park

The national park can be accessed by either road or air transport means. By Road you can use a private car from Kampala via Mubende, fort portal then to the park which takes 5 to 6 hours drive on a tarmac road. Alternatively, visitors can use the route from Kampala via Mbarara, Kamwenge then to the park.

By Air you can book a chartered flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airfield and then connect by road via Fort Portal- Mpondwe road to the national park which takes about 2 to 3 hours’ drive or fly from Entebbe airport to fort portal.