Kibale Forest National Park is the ultimate primate capital of the world, hosting the largest chimpanzee population in Uganda. It is located in the western region of Uganda in Fort Portal. Established in 1993, it covers a land mass of about 321 square kilometers. The Kibale forest is an evergreen tropical or equatorial forest that has existed for over 2,000 years.
The forest of Kibale has different ecological systems and zones ranging from tropical forest to savannah and woodland on the Great Rift Valley floor. The tropical forest of Kibale consists of a variety of over 351 tree species including mahogany. Some of these trees rise to as far as 55 meters with barks about 8 meters in diameter. The undergrowth is composed of shrubs, herbs, and ferns. The tall trees form a shaded canopy crown shielding the undergrowth from the sunlight.
Kibale Forest National Park is home to various species including primates, plants, mammals, and birds. The park has about 13 primate species including chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, Ugandan mangabeys, olive baboons, bush babies, and pottos. Mammals include forest elephants, bush buffaloes, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, leopards, and duikers to mention but a few. Kibale has about 370 bird species such as the African Pied wagtail, black bee-eater, African green pigeon, white-naped pigeon, Afep pigeon, black-throated Apalis, woodland kingfisher, Ruwenzori Apalis, purple-breasted sunbird, and masked Apalis among others.
Chimpanzee primates are the face of Kibale Forest National Park. The park harbors about 1,500 species of chimpanzees making it a one-stop center for chimpanzee trekking. Visitors across the world flock to the park for a chance to encounter the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Tracking takes visitors on a close face-to-face interaction with the chimpanzees.
Kibale Chimpanzee Trekking in the morning.
Chimpanzee trekking refers to the process of traversing through the thick tropical vegetation in a search for the chimpanzee primates and upon locating them spending an hour in their presence. Trekking only happens with the chimpanzees that have gone through the habituation process. This habituation process involves gently introducing wild chimpanzee primates to the presence of humans for a maximum of four hours. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park takes place in two sessions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
Morning chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park starts at 7 am with a pre-trekking briefing. This briefing takes place at the Kanyanchu Visitors Center where a ranger guide addresses the visitors about what to expect on this trekking adventure after their permits have been checked. The ranger also takes the clients through the rules and regulations of trekking and the expected code of conduct around the chimps. The visitors are then arranged in groups of 6 people and assigned a ranger guide. Each group is given a chimpanzee troupe to trek with the help of a ranger guide.
After the visitors are led through the tropical thickets of Kibale Forest National Park on a search for the chimpanzees. Upon locating the chimps, visitors are given an hour with them as they watch them feed, rest, play, groom their young, and roam around with their chores. Visitors can take this time and take as many pictures as they want.
Trekking is a tiresome but fun adventurous experience with uncertain duration since it depends on the physique of the client and distance in the forest where the assigned chimpanzee troupe is. Morning is the best session for trekking chimpanzees in their natural habitat since it is the period when they are most active as they feed and play. Afternoon chimpanzee trekking is also a preferred session for encountering these elusive species in their natural habitat.
Booking a morning chimpanzee trekking permit
A chimpanzee trekking permit is required for anyone interested in embarking on a chimpanzee trekking adventure experience. A trekking permit is a document issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority for visitors to trek the primates in their natural habitat. This trekking permit can only be purchased through a local registered tour company. Clients can contact the company through their websites and other platforms. After confirming the date to trek, the company will check for availability on that date and confirm with the client.
The client will then send the money to purchase the chimpanzee trekking permit. The company will purchase the permit and send a scanned copy to the client as confirmation of the payment and purchase of the permit.
Cost of a morning chimpanzee permit in Kibale forest.
The cost of a chimpanzee trekking ranges from region and nationality of the visitor. A trekking permit for foreign non-residents costs USD 250, foreign residents pay USD 200, and East African citizens including Ugandans pay UGX 200,000. The collected money through the purchase of trekking permits goes to the conservation efforts, paying the rangers, and supporting the community neighboring the park.
What to pack for a morning chimpanzee trekking?
Preparing for a chimpanzee trekking adventure in Kibale National Park requires a favorable packing list. This includes essential items and other items that will make your trekking experience a memorable one. These include the following.
- First aid box
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Rain jacket
- Reusable water bottle
- Energy-giving snacks
- Binoculars
- Hiking boots
- Camera
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen, etc.
