Kibaale National Park is a famous and one of the finest destinations for tourists in Uganda and East Africa. Among other safaris, the park has become the best habitat for chimpanzee tracking tours in Africa. Though it isn’t only occupied only by chimpanzees but rather by different species of primates that inhabit the beautiful tropical rain forests covering the central and northern sectors of the park. Kibaale forest national park is located in Western Uganda – 345km from Kampala and 26km from Fort Portal City another center of tourism. Location of the park gives one a close link to other tourism destinations such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mountain Rwenzori and Semliki National Park.
CHIMPANZEE TREKKING IN KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK.
Just like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking is a famous activity in Uganda and more specifically in Kibale Forest National Park. The activity involves trekking through the forest in search for chimpanzees which are always jumping from one tree branch to another. The activity doesn’t involve hiking highlands like it is with gorilla trekking and those not difficult even to one who isn’t in their best physical fitness.
The adventure starts early in the morning with briefing conducted by head guides. Each group of tourists is allowed to spend at least an hour with a group of chimpanzees before they can head back to the park headquarters.
CHIMPANZEE HABITUATION EXPERIENCE IN KIBALE NATIONAL PARK.
This is Quite different from chimpanzee trekking; here chimpanzees are trained how to get used to the presence of humans. Tourists are then allowed to stay with chimpanzees for longer hours compared to chimpanzee trekking where it’s just one hour.
Chimpanzee habituation process usually takes 2 years before chimpanzees can be let out to be trekked on daily basis. The activity also has a special permit that costs 250$ each which is different from that of chimpanzee trekking which only costs 200$ per person.
WHEN TO GO FOR CHIMPANZEE TREKKING?
Chimpanzee trekking is conducted throughout the year. The dry season which runs from the months of June to September and December to February is normally the peak season hosting very many tourists who visit the country to take part in chimpanzee trekking and other activities. The advantage of a dry season is that the trails are always passable and not slippery as it would be with the rainy season.
With the rainy season, chimpanzees are easier to spot since there is plenty of food and competition for the daily limited permits isn’t that stiff. Otherwise, you can always choose the best time to visit and then book your permit in advance.
HOW MUCH DOES CHIMPANZEE TREKKING COST?
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale is conducted at a cost charged on the trekking permit which every tourist must have before they take part. A chimpanzee trekking permit costs $200. A special permit for chimpanzee habituation in Kibale however costs $250 for non- foreign residents, $200 for foreign residents and 250,000/= for East African citizens. It’s advisable that you book a chimpanzee permit in advance due to the large number of tourists who visit the country to take part in this activity yet the permits sold for a particular day is limited.
OTHER ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE IN KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
Nature walks.
Travelers can engage in nature walks with trails traversing through the neighboring villages with such length that one can cover. The activity can take 2-5 days depending on one’s interest with a limited number of 6 people. Tourists have a chance to interface cultural exchange as they interact with the people in the community who belong to the Bakiga and Batooro tribes. The park also organizes night walks which always take at least 2 hours with tourists handed big torches under the guidance of armed tour guides. Nature walks in the park cost $30 while night walks cost up to $40 per person.
Crater lake tours.
If you are one person interested in hiking, this could be a great challenge for you to see different crater lakes, west of Kibale Forest National Park. You will also be lucky to hike some volcanic steep slopes. The Kasenda Craters add up to 50 attracting many tourists who visit the area to have a nature view of the universe while within the crater lake area.
Birding.
Birding is conducted year long and one of the famous activities in the park. Kibale forest is habitat to about 300 bird species. Renowned species include Green-breasted pitta, Crowned eagle, Little greenbul, Black bee-eater, zebra Waxbill, Black-billed weaver, Cameroon Sombre greenbul, Ash flycatcher, African Blackheaded Oriole, among many others. Some of the bird species including masked appalis, Cassin’s spinetail, Nahan’s francolin and the Blue-headed bee-eater have not been spotted in any other national park in Uganda.
Visitors also prefer Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary as it has over 150 bird species for them to watch under the supervision of experienced bird guides. Birding in Kibale forest usually starts in the morning from Kanyanchu visitor center.
