The lush Kibale Forest National Park is where majority of Uganda’s endangered chimpanzee population is found. In this part of the country is where over 1500 of the 5000 chimpanzees of Uganda live among the thick and beautiful canopy. This undeniably makes the Park the best place to trek these primates in their natural habitat.
The chimpanzee troops habituated in Kibale Forest National Park
Set in the western side of Uganda, Kibale Forest National Park is haven to at least 5 habituation chimpanzee communities/troops that have been accustomed to human interaction resulting from training by Researchers, Rangers and Conservationists for a period of 2-3 years. Each of these habituated chimpanzee troops is visited by a maximum of 6 persons each day and only one hour is provided for observation and photography.
How Chimpanzee treks are conducted within Kibale Forest National Park
Chimpanzee treks within Uganda’s Kibale Forest National Park involve leading the Kanyanchu Visitor Center (where trailheads begin) at 8:00am after one hour of briefing and registration from Park Rangers. Treks begin by 8:00am, 11:00am and 2:00pm for the early morning, mid-morning and afternoon sessions respectively.
The early morning session is the most booked by visitors because it is when most chimpanzee routines are done and these primates are most active hence the perfect time to trek and spend time in their presence. Before embarking on these adventures, a Park Ranger attached to Uganda Wildlife Authority provides a brief orientation to the trekking group and this also involves explaining the expected chimpanzee behaviors in the jungle. A number of ground rules have to be followed and some of these include: maintaining a safe distance (usually 8 meters from the chimps), not touching the Great Apes and being careful not to annoy them by imitating their calls.
Visitors are then split into different tracking groups including 6 persons, followed by the search for these creatures in the jungles. Treks go through the thick forest with tangled trees and hanging tree vines in the company of armed Ranger and guide towards the location where the chimpanzee community was last spotted.
In most cases, the chimpanzee are heard first (by their loud calls in the tree canopies) then seen. These communities usually comprise of up to 100 individuals with smaller sub-groups of about 10 members for grooming, resting and bonding purposes. Once contacts are made, trekkers have a maximum of one hour for observation and photography with clearer shots achieved when the chimpanzees descend to the ground. It is emotionally fulfilling to see how we are oddly familiar with the Chimpanzees, given the fact that we share up to 98.7% DNA.
Requirements for trekking chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park
To ensure the protection of endangered chimpanzees in their natural habitats, treks are conducted under stringent rules and regulations enforced by Uganda Wildlife Authority. Because of this, gorilla permits are required to book your place and only persons above 12 years and physically fit visitors are eligible for these permits and therefore chimpanzee trekking.
Chimpanzee permits for Kibale Forest National Park
Chimpanzee permits are required to book a place in any of the 5 habituated chimpanzee troops and can be arranged as part of a package, through a Tour Operator or directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority (the official issuing agent. For visitors planning to book for permits, proof of trekking dates are required. These permits cost $200 for foreign non-residents, $150 for foreign residents and Shs. 150,000 for East Africa residents.
Recommended wear for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park
The duration of searching for chimpanzees in the jungles of Kibale is unpredictable, as you can take only half an hour or up to four hours before finally making contact with the chimpanzee community. That said, trails are likely to be muddy, slippery, with thick undergrowth, hilly or even just flat hence requiring strong hiking boots, a rain jacket to cater for the unpredictable weather patterns, hat and sunglasses for sun protection, safari pants, long-sleeved shirts, insect repellant, gardening gloves, a backpack and don’t forget to carry a good camera and pair of binoculars.
When is the perfect time to trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park?
As far as weather is concerned, the dry season-June to August and December to February is considered the perfect time to trek chimps in Kibale Forest National Park because downpours are not expected, vegetation is sparser thus easier treks. The months of March to May and October to November are the wettest with heavy downpours thus making trekking more challenging but provide the best phytography opportunities.
How to Reach Kibale Forest National Park
About 19 miles from the Town of Fort Portal, road transfer is considered the commonest means to reach Kibale Forest National Park. This Town is about 5-6 hours’ drive from Kampala for a distance of about 300 kilometers. Travellers have options of hiring private taxis that cost between $100 and $150 or public buses (Link or Post Bus) that can take up to 7 hours for about $10 to $15 per person but don’t expect so much comfort.
