The world primate capital Kibale National Park branded for its sheltering over 13 primate species and most populated chimpanzees home. The park is situated in western region from Kampala capital 308km/h about three hour drive/ adjacent to Fort Portal city 26km.
The largely famous chimps tracking destination is among the finest destination rain-tropical forest covers an area of 766km/squared elevated at an altitude of 1100 to 1600m above sea level, the nature walks in the rain forest very rewarding with variety of flora and fauna. The Kibale national park is sought of being one of the exceptional and most treasured by nature lover rating breath taking destination making any pay to happen in the forest worthy.
The natural beauty and endowments of the rain-forest offer the best atmosphere for natural inherent breath, this Ugandan jungle is home for over 400 bird species, insects and few wild mammals species can be spotted especially in the Bigodi wetland sanctuary. View plenty of bird species on a nature walks and primates can’t make all that you may need but rather Chimpanzee tracking in the jungle highlights the remaining activities, lovers of primate tracking Kibale forest is enough for your discovery in the same way an alternative to those who can’t afford the cost Mountain Gorilla.
Tracking one of the habituated Chimpanzee communities in the dense tropical misty rain forest is one of the best primate safari experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime. The forest is an adventure capital, since it hosts over 1,500 Chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trackers here can engage in the two chimpanzee viewing options; either spending with the chimps one hour on a normal chimpanzee walk or spend for 4 hours with these great apes on the chimpanzee habituation experience. Habituation takes not less than two years following and studying their behaviors and letting the forest giants used to human existence and after critical analysis that Chimpanzees are used to human presence then are opened up for trekking by tourist.
Chimpanzee tracking
Tracking Chimpanzees in Kibale wildness everything starts at Kanyachu visitor’s center, all visitors have to be at the center at 7:30am for the safety briefing and grouped 8 people each group to track a single Chimpanzee family. The ranger guide leads a group of trackers into the jungle to search for chimps. Like gorillas, also chimp tracking is limited to children under the age of 12 years.
Visitors infected with infectious diseases like cold cough are not allowed to track and it’s better that you declare to the park authority before embarking for trekking rather leaving them to discover it by themselves your track can be cancelled and even not refunded. Scientifically Chimpanzee are sought of shares 98% of human DNA but have a weaker immune system because they feed only on green, any kind of human infection can cause their death.
These apes don’t have permanent locations where they can be found, tracking them follow their fresh steps right from their previous nests they had their overnight, every day they move about 3km from where they had their previous night. The ranger guides are very tactical on how to find them and their very high chances of finding the chimps, following their fresh dung and footsteps takes just about 1 to 6 hours to encounter the creatures. Finding them you are given an hour in their presence enjoying their view at a distance of 7 meters.
Other encounters in Kibale forest
Kibale jungle is bio-diverse with beautiful to watch flora and fauna including birds, primates, reptiles like lizards, butter flies, insects, well as other mammals.
Bird species
Over 450 bird species can be encountered for finest bird watching and among the many bird watching species are African Pitta, Green-breasted Pitta, Afep Pigeon, White-naped Pigeon, Crowned Eagle, Red-chested Owlet, Black Bee-eater, Western Nicator, Yellow-rumped Tinker bird, Little Greenbul, Brown-chested Alethe, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, African Grey Parrot, Brown Illadopsis, Black-capped Apalis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Collared Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Yellow Spotted Nicator, Little Green Bul, Black-eared Ground Thrush and the Abyssinian . Extending to Bigodi swamp sanctuary with a good birders guide you can sight over 100 bird species on a lucky day.
Primate species
Kibale national park tops the list of African finest destinations to watch/track several primate species, with over 13 primate species which are encountered on a nature walk through this beautify cool rain-forest. Species to find here include the rare L’hoest, olive baboons, red tailed colobus, white and black tailed colobus, grey cheeked mangbey, Bush babies, potto, vervet monkey, blue monkey.
Other mammals to watch
The biodiversity of the jungle on daily basis and occasion some large animals like elephants, buffalos, leopards, warthogs, bush pigs, golden cats and Duikers. Reptiles and amphibians can be seen.
Community visit and nature walks in Bigodi wetland sanctuary for bird watching, trekking within the valley, viewing primates, mammals and testing the local dishes.
Cost of chimpanzee tracking permit
Tracking chimpanzees at Kibales currently costs USD150 for one hour encounter with the apes of this forest, and habituation permit cost USD200 where to spend four hours in the presence of the chimpanzees. However the costs of trekking Chimpanzees at Kibale forest will raise with effect from July 2020 where new conservation tariffs launched to start. New costs chimpanzee tracking permit cost USD200 and While in the jungle there a number of encounter like birds, primates, reptiles like lizards, butter flies, insects, well as other mammals. habituation USD250 where tourist get to spend about four hours with the chimps.
