Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park 2024-2025 : After gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking safari is the second most popular activity in Uganda. Travellers search for habituated chimpanzees in the tropical rainforest on foot, and once they find them, they spend an hour with them in their natural environment. The primate capital, Kibale Forest National Park, is situated in the Kabarole area in western Uganda. Over 13 primate species, including 1,500 chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, grey-checked mangabeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and olive baboons, exist in the Kibale Forest National Park. The Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, and the Kalinzu Forest are other locations in Uganda where chimpanzee trekking safari is possible.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park begins very early in the morning with a briefing at Kanyachu Park Headquarters on the guidelines and expectations of chimpanzee trekking safari. After the briefing, you will be divided into groups of six, with each group receiving a family of chimpanzees to hike with and a knowledgeable park guide who is familiar with the forest’s hiking routes. Because they prefer to roam from one spot to another in quest of food, chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale Forest National Park might take anything from 30 minutes to 5 hours. You can see additional primates while trekking, such the grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys, as well as several bird species and tree species. Once the chimps have been located, you will be permitted to spend an hour with them in their natural habitat. During this time, you can see the chimpanzees’ behaviors, including how they feed, play, fight, breastfeed, mate, hunt, and rest, as well as shoot picture and record videos to share with your family and friends back home after the chimpanzee trekking safari.Â
Cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale forest national park.
In the Kibale Forest National Park, chimpanzee trekking safari permit costs 200 USD for foreign non-residents, 150 USD for foreign residents, and 150,000 UGX for East African nationals.
How to book chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale forest national park.Â
You can either make a direct reservation for chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale Forest National Park by contacting the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by email or phone. You can also reserve chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale Forest National Park by contacting a reputable travel agency like Primate Holidays and providing your desired visit date, month, and year over the phone or via email. In the event that permits are still available on your desired dates after contacting us, you will be required to submit a deposit. We will buy the permit on your behalf once we have the funds. And after we shall send you the invoice as the evidence of your payment, we will also organize for your transport, accommodation, meals and everything that is will take you through your chimpanzee trekking safari.Â
Best time to do chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park 2024-2025.
The best time to go chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale Forest National Park is between June and September and between December and February, however it is possible at any time of year. Chimpanzee trekking pathways will be dry and navigable during the dry season because the national park experiences less rainfall. This makes walking easier than during the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery.
How to get to Kibale forest national park.
You can go to the Kibale Forest National Park by road from Kampala via Mubende Fort Portal or Masaka Mbarara, and then it will take you between 6 and 7 hours to get to the park headquarters. The park is situated in the western portion of Uganda.
You can also go to Kibale Forest National Park by scheduled domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese or Semuliki Airstrip, and then take a road connection to the park headquarters.
Approximately a 3- to 4-hour drive will get you to Kibale Forest National Park from Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Where to stay in Kibale forest national park.
During your chimpanzee trekking safari, you can stay in a variety of accommodations in Kibale Forest National Park, that are categorized into mid-range, budget and luxury accommodations for example the Ndali Lodge, Kibale Forest Lodge, Chimpundu Lodge, Primate Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Isunga Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, Turaco Treetops Lodge, and Kibale Forest Camp, among others.
During your safari in Uganda, go chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park. It can also be paired with other fascinating activities like wildlife viewing, boat cruise safaris, and lion tracking experiences in Queen Elizabeth National Park.