Chimpanzee Trekking and Habituation in Kibale
Chimpanzee Trekking and Habituation in Kibale: Chimpanzee trekking is a very emotional experience done by the nature lovers, so prepare today and set out to Uganda’s Kibale natural jungle and be able to spend a number of hours tracking these attractive creatures. You will be given an hour to spend with our close relatives which are said to be 98% of human DNA, as you watch them swing from one tree branches to another, feed, play right in front of you thus leaving with unforgettable experience.
Therefore, Kanyanchu primate is the most popular activity done in Kibale forest national park where tourists can be able to sight see the thirteen species and a good variety of diurnal monkeys which can be encountered but the most highlights of this tracking trail heads are the chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national park started since 1993 and the chances of locating them is very high and perfect. This is an activity which starts early morning at 8am and can last full day long depending on various factors.
However, primate walk is the best way to have chances to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The Kanyanchu group are accustomed to human presence in way that many species have been observed for the last 25 years and chances of locating them is high. So visitors on their visit to Kibale forest national park before heading out in forest trail heads for chimpanzee tracking experience, we recommend you to first go Kanyanchu Visitor Centre after your morning breakfast at 08:00am for a briefing about the dos and don’ts of Chimpanzees in the forest. Then after meet the ranger to accompany you to their trail heads and once found trackers will be given one hour in group size limited to six visitors and Chimpanzee habituation experience trackers are given four hours to observe this great apes with a limited numbery of four visitors, this is a full day done activity which is quite memorable experience in life time. Note that, participants must be aged 16 and above. Advance booking is essential.
The chimpanzee Habituation Experience is a full or half day done activity that enables visitors to be accompanied by the researchers and habituators into the forest. However, chimpanzee groups are less accustomed to human presence than those visited on the primate walk but both provide amazing views and challenges.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience ‘’CHEX’’ starts early in the morning and we advise out visitors to always book their tracking permits in advance less than six months. Early visitors have a chance to watch chimps leaving their overnight nest between 6:00 to 6:00am before feeding, patrolling, resting and displaying till it is time to build new nests around 7:00pm.
Note, number of local tour operators have been accredited by government to provide services including Chimpanzee Habituation Experience booking in order to ensure your permits at the appropriate time. For more information on fees and booking visit our Tariffs page.
However, travellers are advised to book their chimpanzee trekking permits in advance to your safari date, because permits are restricted daily. Chimpanzee tracking permits half-day costs USD200 per person per day and Chimpanzee habituation experience a full day activity costs USD250 per person per day.
Rules and Regulations about Chimpanzee Tracking as listed below
- There must be a distance of about 7 to 8 meters between you and the chimps.
- Travellers with diseases such as flue, diarrhoea are not allowed in the park.
- Eating near the chimps is prohibited.
- Young children below the age of 12 are not allowed from entering the park.
- Guide is the only one to help you get access to the forest.
- Flash discs are not allowed to be used in the park.
The major done activity in Kibale forest national park is the Chimpanzee tracking, that Starts from Kanyanchu Visitor Centre at 08:00am and ends at 15:00pm and lasts 2 to 3 hours. Here primates are searched down by visitors during the tracking. Some of the thirteen species include black and white colobus, grey-cheeked Mangabey, red tailed monkeys among others. You will be led by the guide who will show you pittas along with other bird species and he will explain the tradit of different plant species within the forest. Advance booking is more important during peak season.
What to Carry with
- Wear comfortable shoes which are suitable for climbing steep moist muddy slopes
- Carry your rain gear because the weather here is unpredictable.
- Bring enough bottle mineral water with energy snacks to bite on.
- Carry a pair of binoculars
The activity your visiting to Kibale national park, requires one to carry a clear camera with enough batteries for yours to take phots as many as possible.
Chimpanzee tracking is a lifetime experience where you can spend a full or half day these attractive creatures and the most excellent destination to view them in the entire East Africa is Uganda’s Kibale Forest National Park.
(Chimpanzee Trekking and Habituation in Kibale)
