Why trek chimpanzees in Kibale

Why trek chimpanzees in Kibale: Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is carried out in so many protected areas but Kibale forest national park stands out as the best. Chimpanzee trekking safari is done in areas like Budongo forest next to Murchison falls national park, Kalinzu forest in Bushenyi, and Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park

Kibale forest national park is located in western Uganda and it’s the leading primate destination in Uganda. The national park which covers over 776sq.km is home to over 13 primate species with the famous being chimpanzees. The national park is also home to 60 mammals, 372 bird species, and 226 tree species which are seen during the different park activities.

There are so many reasons as to why you need to trek chimpanzees of Kibale forest national park and they include the following

Kibale has the highest population of chimpanzees

Kibale forest national park has the highest population of chimpanzees in the country. The national park alone hosts over 1500 chimpanzee species that are always seen roaming in the park. Kibale forest national park has over 13 chimpanzee families and these consist of more than 100 individuals. One chimpanzee family is for now open for trekking while others are open for research and habituation activities.

Chimpanzee sights in Kibale are guaranteed

Kibale forest national park is one of the areas which has a 95% chance of meeting the chimpanzees on a trek. The national park is not so big and chimpanzee trekking safari Kibale is carried out in specific areas where chimpanzees normally eat food. Chimpanzee trekking takes 2-6 hours and it’s a must to meet the chimpanzees in these hours.  The best time for carrying out the chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale in the morning hours because chimpanzees are close to the starting points just leaving their nests.

Kibale forest is easily accessed

One of the protected areas that is easily accessed in Uganda is Kibale forest national park. The national park is located in western Uganda and travelers can get there in 6-7 hours by road transport. From Kampala/Entebbe tourists drive through Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi, and Kasese to the park. Tourists can still drive from Kampala/Entebbe via Mityana, Mubende, Kyenjonjo, and fort portal to the park

Chimpanzee trekking permits are affordable

The chimpanzee trekking permits for Kibale forest national park are affordable even to all kinds of travelers. A single chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale forest national park is sold at $200 for foreign non-residents, $150 for foreign residents, and UGX150,000 East African citizens. The chimpanzee trekking permits are sold at Uganda wildlife authority and you can purchase them by yourself or use a local tour operator.

Kibale is the only place to carry out chimpanzee habituation

In Uganda, it’s only in Kibale forest national park where chimpanzee habituation is done. Kibale is the only place that allows travelers to spend more that with semi-habituated chimpanzees while making them get used to the human presence around them. To habituate chimpanzees of Kibale forest national park all you need is a chimpanzee habituation permit.

A chimpanzee habituation permit in Kibale forest national park costs $250 for foreign non-residents, $200 for foreign residents, and UGX200,000 East African citizens. There are only 12 chimpanzee habituation permits in Kibale forest national park and this means that tourists that are interested in spending whole day with chimpanzees need to book the permits early in advance of 3-4 months or more.

Kibale forest can be visited all year round

Tourists can visit Kibale  national park all year round from January to January. The park is always open for all park activities including chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation. At any time you can visit the national park with your chimpanzee permit and you will be able to encounter chimpanzees in their natural habitat with a help of armed ranger guides.

What to pack for a chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale?

On your chimpanzee safari to the park, you need to pack the right essentials in order to have the best of safari. Your packing list should include waterproof hiking shoes, long cotton stocks, a pair of gaiters, gardening gloves, a rain jacket, long-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shorts, a light backpack, sunscreen, insect repellents, a camera, a pair of binoculars, drinking water bottle and energy giving snacks among others.

Best time to trek chimpanzees of Kibale

Tourists can trek chimpanzees in Kibale at any time of the year however certain months are better than the rest. The two dry seasons are the best to trek chimpanzees in Kibale and they happen from June to September and December to February. These months are best time to trek chimpanzees of Kibale becouse they have little or no rainfall which leaves the trekking trails dry and passable, the vegetation is short and thin with good views of the wildlife and the roads leading to the park are in good condition.

Trekking chimpanzees of Kibale forest national park can still be done in the rainy season and this favors budget travelers because lodge owners and tour operators offer discounts. The rainy season happens from March to May and October to November and this is when the park is receiving too much rainfall. The trekking trails are muddy and slippery, vegetation is tall and thick with unclear views of wildlife and the roads leading to the park are impassable.