Uganda the pearl of Africa is the ultimate haven for primates like chimpanzees and gorillas. Kibale National Park is amazingly one of the best places in East Africa where tourists can enjoy a close encounter with chimpanzees while in the wild. It is one of the 5 favourite spots in Uganda where chimpanzee trekking is done and others include Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Forest and Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve.
Chimpanzees tracking is known to be 98% humans just like mountain gorilllas. Kibale National Park currently supports over 1500 chimpanzees with about 5 habituated chimpanzee communities all available for trekking. At Kibale N/Park, there are 2 sessions for chimpanzee trekking- first session always begins in the morning and the second one in the afternoon. Before any trekking to see chimpanzees, briefing is done at Kanyanchu Tourist Center.
During the briefing, tourists are allocated to a chimpanzee community, park guide and before setting off to the forest, visitors are divided into 6 people per group and each group is led by park guide. Actual chimp trek starts at 8:00am, and lasts for 2-4 hours and upon locating a chimp community, you will enjoy absolute one hour face to face with chimpanzees. The beauty about chimpanzee tracking in Kibale is that, it is possible for you book a 3 days chimpanzee trekking safari.
What to pack?
- Cameras
- Binoculars
- Comfortable hiking boots
- Hiking sticks
- Water & snacks.
- Long trousers and long t-shirts.
What is the cost of chimpanzees permit?
Chimpanzee permits in Uganda differ in different locations however kibale national park is highly visited. According to kibale national park chimp permits, visitors buy them at a cost of $200 per person, in kyambura gorge and kalinzu forest permits cost $100 per person. Budongo forest chimp permits also costs $100 per person.
How to access the parks with chimpanzees?
Kibale national park can be accessed by road transport or air transport. Visitors may use private or public vehicles using mupende –fort portal route taking about 5-6 hours to reach the park. However by air visitors will fly from Entebbe international airport to mweya kasese airstrip where they will drive about 3 hours to kibale national park.
While in Queen Elizabeth national park, chimps are located in kyambura gorge and kalinzu forest. Visitors may access the park via road and air transport. Through road transport visitors may travel using private or public vehicles passing either via mupende –fort portal route which takes about 7 hours or masaka –mbarara route which takes about 9 hours from Kampala.
In Murchison falls national park, chimps are located in budongo forest where visitors may access the park via Masindi route or Gulu route using private or public vehicles.
What are the rules and regulations of chimpanzee tracking?
Just like gorillas are 98% humans so are the chimpanzees which are known as cousins to humans. However rules and regulations of chimpanzees include,
- Visitors who are illed are not allowed to track chimpanzees in all locations in Uganda.
- Visitors are given an hour to be with chimpanzees unlike those of chimpanzee habituation visitors are given about 4 hours.
- Visitors under 12 years of age are not allowed to track chimpanzees and minimum age for tracking chimps is 15 years of age.
- Visitors are advised to keep together while with chimpanzees.
- Cameras are accepted at the condition of removing flash lights.
Where to stay while in kibale national park?
Chimpundu safari lodge.
Chimpundu safari lodge is a luxurious lodge located at the edge of kibale national park along fort portal route. The lodge consist of 5 luxurious bedrooms, 4 rooms with Twin beds and one double room with one King size bed. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms with showers and a claw foot bathtub with a private veranda overlooking the lush forest.
The lodge facilitates free wifi, free parking, restaurant where international meals are served and prepared by professional chefs, swimming pool, well stocked bar with soft and hard drinks, spa and many more.
Turaco treetop lodge
Turaco treetop lodge is located the best midrange lodge for visitors to Kibale Forest National Park. The Lodge offers uncomplicated and warm hearted atmosphere to travellers. The lodge contains 9 rooms which some are double, singles and twins. The rooms are self-contained with flushing toilets, showers, mirrors, detergents, towels, tables, chairs, balcony and many more.
The lodge is few minutes away from the main road and the workers are friendly and welcoming. The lodge facilitates free wifi, free parking, swimming pool for relaxing in, restaurant where delicious meals are served, well stocked bar, laundry, and many more.
Primate lodge.
Primate lodge is located at the heart of kibale national park. The lodge is luxury with 17 rooms where 9 rooms are dexule and 7 rooms are standard which can be configured with either single or twin beds. All accommodations have a private veranda and en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and hot water provided at certain, mosquito nets, chairs, tables, verandas, tables, chairs, detergents, towels, and many more.
The lodge facilitates spa, restaurant where delicious meals are served on international level, well stocked bar with soft and hard drinks, free wifi, free parking, laundry, and many more.
Chimpanzee forest lodge.
Chimpanzee forest lodge lies at the edge of kibale national park as mid-range. The lodge is beautifully furnished self-contained cottages (Bandas) with a panoramic view of Kibale Forest National park and the surrounding Tea plantations. The lodge is accommodates standards which some are double, singles and twin which they are all self-contained with showers, flushing toilets, mosquito nets, towels, chairs , tables, and many more.
The lodge facilitates hospitality by staff workers, free wifi in the main building, free parking laundry, well stocked bar with drinks, restaurant where delicious meals are served with fruits from their own garden and many more.
