Chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale from South Africa
Chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale from South Africa: Kibale forest national park is the leading destination for chimpanzee trekking in the world. It’s very possible for tourists in south Africa to organize a chimpanzee safari and encounter chimps in their natural habitats. If you are in South Africa all you need is to look for a trusted local tour operator who will organize for you a memorable safari in Kibale.
Chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale from South Africa
There are a lot of tour operators in Uganda but you have to look for a trusted one. To get a good local tour operator, you will search for different ones but choose ones licensed by Uganda Tourism Board. You can go ahead to search if the ones you have got are part of different tourism associations. The last step would be checking if they have good reviews of travel apps like trip advisor.
After getting a good local tour operator, you will get them the dates of the month and year you want to have the safari, the number of people, and the travel budget. The tour consultants will calculate how much the tour could cost you and when you agree with the price you will be good to go. The local tour operator does book for you accommodation, transport to the park, a safari driver, and a chimpanzee permit which is the most essential thing on this trip.
Chimpanzee trekking permits from South Africa
Every tourist including those coming from South Africa needs a chimpanzee trekking permit which is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority. The chimpanzee trekking permit is a ticket that will allow you to be part of the chimpanzee trekking safari to Kibale once you reach the park. To obtain this chimpanzee trekking permit, you need a local tour operator or you can get it directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority.
From south Africa, travelers will get the chimpanzee permits at $200 for foreign non-residents, $150 for foreign residents, and UGX150,000 east African citizens. Tourists that want to spend more time with the chimpanzees can purchase a chimpanzee habituation permit at $250 for foreign non-residents, $200 for foreign residents, and UGX200,000 East African citizens.
Chimpanzee trekking experience kibale
Travelers from South Africa must have a ticket on the morning of the chimpanzee trekking to qualify for the activity. After morning breakfast, trekkers will get their chimpanzee permits and drive to Kanyanchu Visitors Center where all trekkers for the day gather. Here trekkers are taught all rules and regulations of the Chimpanzee trekking experience kibale and later grouped not exceeding 8 people.
The groups are given armed ranger guides who will lead them into the jungle. The trekkers are driven to the starting point of the trekkers and from here all you have to do is follow your armed ranger guide. The search for chimpanzees takes you through different trails visiting different trees where chimpanzees get fruits. During the search, trekkers meet different wildlife species that have found their homes in Kibale.
Searching takes 2-6 hours but the moment the chimps are spotted, armed ranger guides give trekkers 1 hour to be around them. This enables them to learn about their habits, take photos, and watch them do daily activities like nesting, playing, hunting coupling, feeding, breast feeding, and feeding among others. After spending time with chimpanzees, you get out of the jungle using the shortest trails to your safari vehicle.
Essentials to pack for Chimpanzee trekking safari to Kibale from South Africa
Travelers that are visiting Kibale forest national park from south African need to pack the right essentials in order to have the best of chimpanzee trekking. Essential to park in include waterproof hiking shoes, long cotton stocks, a pair of gaiters, long-sleeved shorts, long-sleeved shirts, a sweater, a rain jacket, sunscreen, insect repellents, a hat, a light backpack, energy-giving snacks, a drinking water bottle, a camera and a pair of binoculars.
Best time for Chimpanzee trekking experience kibale
Tourists that are in South Africa can visit Kibale for chimp trekking at any time of the year however certain months are better than the rest. The dry season months from June to September and December to February are the best for chimpanzee trekking because the park is receiving little or no rainfall which leaves the trekking trails dry, and roads leading to the park in good condition. The dry season has short vegetation over that gives good views of chimpanzees and clear photography.
Tourists from South Africa can still visit Kibale forest national park during the rainy season but this favors budget travelers because lodges and lodge owners offer discounts. The rainy season occurs from March to May and October to November when the park is receiving a lot of rainfall. During the rainy season, the vegetation is tall with unclear views of wildlife while roads leading to the park are in poor conditions.
Accessing Kibale from South Africa
Travelers that are in South Africa can now fly to Entebbe international airport and access Uganda first. From Entebbe, tourists can get to Kibale forest national park by using road transport that takes 6-7 hours or air transport in less than 3 hours.
Accessing Kibale from South Africa by air transport, there is Aerolink Uganda and Bar Aviation Uganda have flights to different parts of the country. The flights to Kibale forest start from Entebbe or Kajjansi airstrip and land at Kasese airstrip which is a few km from the park. From the airstrip to the park is always less than 2 hours if the roads are in good condition.
Travelers from South Africa can reach Entebbe International Airport and use road transport to Kibale forest national park.
Accessing Kibale from South Africa by road transport from Entebbe via Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi, and Kasese to the park. The national park can also be accessed from Entebbe via Mityana, Mubende, Kyenjojo, and Fort Portal to the park.
Accommodation in Kibale forest
Tourists that are in South Africa don’t have to worry about where they will stay while on their safari in Kibale forest national park. The national park has so many accommodation facilities that are located inside and outside the park. Lodges in Kibale include Rweetera Safari Park, Chimpundu Lodge, Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, Primate Lodge, Turaco Treetops, Papaya Lake Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, and Kyaninga Crater Lodge among others.
