Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest is one of the greatest highlight of any visitor to Kibale National Park in Uganda. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forests starts from the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre at 08:00am and 02.00pm for the afternoon sessions, taking about 2-3 hours. Park guides are readily available to take tourists through the trek. You will walk to the forest or get a small drive to a turning point and there after you take a walk to the forest to search for the chimpanzees.
Kibale Forest National Park well known as the “home of chimps” has more than 1,450 chimpanzees that live in 13 communities. Three of these communities are habituated out of the 13 communities. One community is used for tourism while the other two communities are commonly used for research purpose (chimpanzee habituation). But more two communities are undergoing the habituation process and may be introduced to tourism in the nearby future.
Chimpanzee Community in Kibale
The community being used for tourism has more than 120 individuals under the leadership of the alpha male known as ‘Magezi’ which in a local language, means ‘wisdom’. Magezi is being followed by other individuals in the ranking hierarchy. This walk is for six persons per group and advance booking essential.
While on your chimpanzee tracking experience, you will be able to meet other primates other than the chimpanzees. Some of the other mammals to see include the forest elephants, duikers and buffaloes on your lucky day.
Chimps can be spotted busy feeding on fig trees or you may also meet them on the ground. Chimp tracking gives you an opportunity to see the chimpanzees in the their natural setting. Some times when they are busy breast feeding, breeding, grooming each other. As a result, you will be able to see their real life setting and also be able to hike and see other tree species.
Among other primate species, there are plenty of butterfly species that exist within the park, you also be able to watch the butterflies.
Do not be surprised when you see a chimp behind you, following your trend as your busy either searching for the chimpanzees or looking up in the tree, this is because your using their trails.
Chimpanzee trekking Experience
Do not miss chimpanzee tracking on your visit to Kibale National Park, because it is incredible. Most guests rest after doing a morning chimpanzee walk in the forest. They then embark on Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, this is a small sanctuary which protects the Magombe Swamp.
For dedicated chimpanzee enthusiasts or aspiring researchers, seeking field experience are recommended to do through a chimpanzee habituation experience. This usually takes a full day, taking notes on their behaviors and way of life while in the natural forest.
Chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda costs from US$ 250 per person while chimpanzee trekking is from US$ 200.00. In other parts of the region including Rwanda, Chimpanzee trekking is done in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda is so popular to many tourists and it only costs US$ 90 per person