Is chimpanzee trekking in the Kibale Forest worth the money?
Is chimpanzee trekking in the Kibale Forest worth the money? Yes, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park is worth the money. With more than 90% chances of seeing chimpanzees trekking in Kibale is always worth the money. Kibale Forest National Park is the best place to see chimpanzees because the forest harbors the highest population of these species in the whole world.
Due to the high population of chimpanzees living in the thick tropical rain forest of Kibale, many of these chimpanzees have been so far habituated and are open for visits to tourists from different parts of the world. There are currently 2 chimpanzee communities in Kibale Forest Kanyanchu and Braiga which tourists can carry out trekking on.
Visiting the chimpanzee communities of Kibale Forest National Park is worth the money because the chances of meeting them are more than 90%. When trekkers meet the chimpanzees, they clearly see a number of them because they live in large groups. While around them, trekkers get to have 1 hour around the members which allows them to learn about their habits.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park is worth the money as it gives tourists an opportunity to see other attractions of the park. Kibale Forest is home to over 120 mammals, 13 primates, and 339 bird species. Some of these can be seen before, after, or during chimpanzee trekking activities as tourists move around the forest for 2 to 3 hours before locating the chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park is affordable to all travelers who are really interested in seeing these apes in their natural habitats. The permits are very cheap compared to those of neighboring countries like Rwanda. They are sold to different categories which are foreign non-residents, foreign residents, and citizens of East African Member States.
The cost of chimpanzee trekking in Kibale
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park is very affordable to all kinds of travelers who are really interested in meeting them in their natural habitats. To see the chimpanzees of Kibale, all tourists must have trekking permits which are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Tourists who intend to visit Kibale will need to use licensed local tour operators to get the permits.
Each chimpanzee trekking permit for Kibale Forest National Park is sold at $250 for foreign non-residents, $200 for foreign residents, and UGX180,000 Citizens of East African Member States. The trekking permits are sold to persons above the age of 12 years. We advise tourists to buy the permits 3 to 4 months in advance to avoid last-minute disappointments.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park
Chimpanzee trekking is carried out twice a day in Kibale Forest National Park. Some trekkers trek in the morning while others carry out the activity in the afternoon hours. There are two chimpanzee communities to trek in Kibale Forest National Park and these can be trekked by several people since the group members always split during day hours.
Trekkers of the day must meet at Kanyanchu Visitors Centre for a briefing from the park rangers who teach the rules and regulations of the activity before allowing trekkers to go into the jungle. Trekking is carried out by 8 people and these are led by armed ranger guides that help in searching while protecting the tourists from dangers.
Searching for chimpanzees takes trekkers through several trails and this comes with an opportunity to meet different forest attractions like mammals, primates, and birds. The search can take 2 to 3 hours and when the chimpanzees are finally spotted the trekkers get an opportunity of being around the members for 1 hour as they carry out different activities of the day.
Trekkers around the chimpanzees are allowed to take photos and record videos for future memories. Trekkers get to see the chimpanzee habits if they are really like those of human beings and when done they leave the members allowing them to continue with their daily activities. Ask trekkers to get out of the jungle, they get to meet other forest attractions they could have missed earlier.
Best time to trek chimpanzees of Kibale
The driest months of the year are the best to trek chimpanzees of Kibale Forest National Park. June to September and December to February are the best times to visit the chimpanzees of Kibale in their natural habitats. These months have the best weather which is characterized by little rainfall and plenty of sunshine. The trekking trails are dry and easier to walk through while the vegetation is short with good views of chimpanzees.
The rainy season March to May and October to November can still be used to visit Kibale for it is always open. Tourists should however know that the trekking trails are muddy and slippery while the vegetation is tall with unclear views of wildlife. Tourists who visit Kibale Forest in the low season may get discounted tour packages.
