Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale and Tree-Climbing Lions
The chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale and tree-climbing lions takes you to two national parks. Kibale Forest National Park is known for chimpanzee activities, while Queen Elizabeth National Park is recognized for wildlife viewing. Both parks are famous for their unique wildlife.
Additionally, Queen Elizabeth has the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward to Lake George. The safari can begin in Kibale and then drive to Queen Elizabeth, about 130 km away. The drive takes 2 hours in the dry season but may take longer in the rainy season due to muddy roads.
To enjoy the best safari, find a good local tour operator who is well versed with knowledge about the industry of travel. Caracal Explorers can organize everything for you, including booking accommodations, chimpanzee permits, and transport, and providing skilled safari guides.
This safari lasts 3-5 days, depending on your budget as a traveller and available time. More days for your safari allow for more activities. Travellers should book in advance, about 4-5 months or more, especially for the high season, to ensure they can participate in the safari.
Top activities to do on this safari
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking takes place in Kibale Forest National Park, which has over 1500 chimpanzees. To participate in the trekking activity, you need a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Only one habituated chimpanzee family is visited daily by up to 72 tourists.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park begins with a briefing at Kanyanchu visitor’s center, where rules and regulations are explained. Groups of up to 8 trekkers are assigned armed ranger guides, who then lead them into the jungle along various trekking trails.
The search for chimpanzees involves visitors trekking to areas where these chimpanzees often gather around fruiting trees. This search lasts 2-6 hours and allows trekkers to see various wildlife such as mammals, birds, reptiles, plants, and other primates such as monkeys. Once chimpanzees are found, trekkers can spend 1 hour observing and learning their habits, taking photos and videos, and watching their daily activities.
Encountering tree-climbing lions
The chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale and tree-climbing lions takes you to two national parks: Kibale Forest National Park is known for chimpanzee activities,Tourists can see tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, located 140 km from Kibale Forest National Park. These lions are rare globally and are only found in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Manyara in Tanzania; however, it is alleged that some traces of tree-climbing lions can be seen in Kruger National Park in South Africa.
You can see tree-climbing lions during a game drive in the Ishasha sector. Both morning and evening drives offer greater chances to observe these lions resting and hanging in acacia trees. On seeing the tree-climbing lions, you may take pictures from inside the car.
Tourists will learn why Ishasha’s lions differ from others. Unlike most lions, these lions can climb trees. Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park do this to avoid biting insects, escape the scorching sun and excessive heat, and also find the best spot to watch for prey.
Other activities to do in Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Park
On this safari, you can do various activities beyond chimpanzee trekking and seeing tree-climbing lions in Ishasha. Depending on your time and budget, visitors can still explore and enjoy several other adventure activities, such as nature walks, community tours, birdwatching, and a boat cruise.
When to have a chimpanzee safari in Kibale and see tree-climbing lions
A chimpanzee safari in Kibale Forest National Park and tree-climbing lion can be done at any time of the year; however, certain months are better than the rest. The dry season months from June to September and December to February are the best to have this safari because they are characterized by little or no rainfall, the vegetation is short and thin with clear views of wildlife, and the roads leading to the park are in good condition.
A chimpanzee safari in Kibale and tree-climbing lions can be done during the rainy season from March to May and October to November because the parks are always open. The rainy season favors budget travelers because lodges and tour operators have discounts. The rainy season is not the best for this safari because the heavy rainfall makes trails, game tracks, and roads leading to the park muddy. The vegetation is tall and thick with unclear views of the wildlife and unclear photography.
Accommodation
On a chimpanzee safari in Kibale and tree-climbing lions, you have several accommodation facilities where you can stay if you want to spend a night or more in the park. These accommodation facilities are budget, mid-range, and luxury options, and where to stay normally depends on the travelers’ budget.
The accommodation in Kibale Forest National Park includes Ndali Lodge, Turaco Treetops, Primate Lodge, Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Rweetera Safari Park, Kyaninga Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Kibale River Camp, Kibale Forest Camp, Isunga Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, and Kibale Safari Lodge, among others. Lodges to use in Queen Elizabeth National Park include Topi Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Kasenyi Safari Camp, Mweya Safari Lodge, Enjojo Lodge, Ishasha Jungle Lodge, At the River Ishasha Lodge, and Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp, among others.
