Kibale Chimpanzee trekking Safaris are leading primates expeditions one should be part of when exploring Uganda. Kibale National Park is located in western Uganda about a 5 to 6 hours drive from Kampala Uganda’s Capital City. The national park covers a land area of 776 square kilometers of mainly tropical rain and montane forests.
The park is popularly known as the primate capital of the world because of the various primate species it has including chimpanzees. It has the highest population of eastern chimpanzees making it the best and ultimate chimpanzee trekking destination. Other than the chimpanzees, the other 12 primates present here include the L’hoest monkeys, Colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, the Uganda Mangabey, and blue monkeys among others. The park is also home to large mammals including forest elephants, buffaloes, and giant forest hogs though chimpanzee trekking is the main activity done here.
Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris
There are two Kibale chimpanzee trekking safaris that include the normal chimpanzee trek and the chimpanzee habituation experience. The normal chimpanzee trekking is a half-day experience that starts with a briefing at the park headquarters. Kibale National Park has two sessions for this (early morning and Afternoon trekking) with the first departing at 8:00 am and the other at Noon.
Normal chimpanzee trekking safaris are rewarding as you hike to meet chimps in their habitats. They features a guided walk to the forest in search for habituated chimpanzee communities. Chimpanzees are very mobile and active during morning hours. You, therefore, have to keep up to avoid missing out on real time moments.
Once you get to the chimpanzee community you are required to keep at least 7 meters away from them. Flash photography and noise are also prohibited as they can disrupt the chimpanzee’s normal activity.
The chimpanzee habituation experience on the other hand involves participating in the habituation process. The habituation of wildlife is intended to make them accustomed to human beings’ presence in their midst. Even though chimpanzees are man’s closest relatives with over 98% DNA similar to humans, when not habituated they can be wild at the sight of people. Chimpanzee habituation is therefore crucial and the experience takes you behind the scenes of the whole process.
Chimpanzee Trekking Permits
There are limited chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation experience permits. Kibale national park is the most visited chimpanzee trekking destination and chimpanzee permits get fully booked in advance. The number of tourists on chimpanzee trekking safaris are limited to minimize chances of behavioral change in the primate species. This is similar to Mountain gorilla trekking where only 8 individuals are allowed to trek to a gorilla family per day.
It is therefore important for anyone interested in Kibale chimpanzee trekking adventures to book in advance. If you intend to visit in the peak tourist season from June to September then it is advisable to book 3 months in advance.
Best time to Visit
Kibale chimpanzee trekking safari experiences can be enjoyed any time of the year. For best safari moments and photography we recommend visiting in the dry season from June to September. It is easy to navigate through the forest during the dry season with minimal rainfall disturbances. Best photography moments with natural lighting are experienced during the dry season.
Other Uganda Primate Safari Destinations
Kibale is not the only chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda. We feature destinations for Uganda chimpanzee trekking adventures that can be combined in a tailor-made primate safari. This gives you an opportunity to study these primate species and the habitats where they live.
Uganda is a prime destination for chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and colobus monkeys. The country has several tropical rainforests ideal for primate trekking safaris.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southwestern Uganda is a renowned habitat for mountain gorillas. It has the highest mountain gorilla population distributed in the different sectors the park has. These include Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors. Bwindi has a reasonable chimpanzee population that will be habituated and open to tourism.
The Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to chimpanzees and several other primates. It is referred to as the Valley of Apes and offers exclusive encounters with chimps.
Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest and the Immaramagambo forest reserves are other notable primate trekking destinations to look out for.
Primate Discovery Journeys
For a diverse wildlife encounter, we combine Kibale chimpanzee trekking adventures with other primates and savanna wildlife adventures. On our Uganda Safaris, you can choose a 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari that features a visit to Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. This focuses on chimpanzees and mountain gorillas trekking with a savanna safari break in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The 10 Days Uganda Discovery Journeys is the ultimate open savanna and primates experiences. Contact us for availability and other bespoke safari adventures.
Where to stay
Kibale National Park is facilitated by several accommodation options. These range from budget to luxurious all inclusive safari lodges.
Volcanoe’s safaris Kibale Lodge is the latest high-end property to be established near the park. Other notable luxury lodges include Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Chimpundu Lodge, and Papaya Lake Lodge.
Mid range options include Turaco Tree Tops, chimpanzee forest lodge, Isunga Lodge and Rubalika Safari Lodge. These are located with a few minutes drive to the park headquarters and are ideal to base from when on primate Discovery Journeys.
Most of the above mentioned lodge are eco-friendly and operate on sustainable approach to minimize their carbon foot print.
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