Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale from the United States of America
Is it possible for travellers to go Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale from the United States of America? Yes, this question is very common among travellers from the United States of America especially those interested in proving about the famous primate capital of the world! Kibale Forest National Park is the answer, the famous protected area in the world for chimpanzees. The park is located in the western part of Uganda, a remarkable destination for primate species that spans districts of Kasese, Kyenjojo, Kabarole and Kamwenge. This article will give you an insight into the world of chimpanzees in this pristine wilderness of Kibale Forest National Park.
What makes this destination to be the primate capital of the World is its vibrant primate species that amount to 13 resident species pf primates with over 1450 chimpanzees. This park is also home to over 372 bird species and several mammals but chimpanzee trekking is the most done activity. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park is done by all kinds of travellers across the world including those from the United States of America as long as you qualify to have a chimpanzee trekking permit.
Chimpanzee permits for Kibale
To carry out chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale Forest National Park, visitors from United States of America need trekking permits to participate in the activity. These trekking permits are issued and sold by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a body responsible for managing and monitoring park activities. Therefore, travellers can get these permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority directly or use a local tour operator.
However, travellers across the world including the United States of America are advised to book these trekking permits about 4-5 months or even more to avoid last minute booking constraints and disappointments. To book a chimpanzee trekking permit for Kibale Forest from United States of America, you always need the dates, month and the year of trekking, they you send to the tour operator or Uganda Wildlife Authority’s reservation office.
This information is a must to enable them check for the availability of the chimpanzee trekking permits on the selected dates and once availability is confirmed, they will send you different banking details where you send the money. After sending, do send a scanned copy as a proof of payment and your permit is booked. Upon arrival during your travel dates you will safely find your trekking permit with your tour operator or pick it up directly at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) offices in Kampala.
For visitors from United States of America who would love to know the cost of a chimpanzee permit in Kibale Forest National Park! Well, here is the break down, a chimpanzee trekking permit costs $250 for foreign non-residents, $200 for foreign residents, and UGX180,000 for citizens of East Africa. For travellers who would wish to spend more time with these intelligent primates, they always pay $300 for foreign non-residents, $250 for foreign residents, and UGX250,000 for citizens of East Africa.
Chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale from the United States of America
Travellers from the United States of America should know that on the day of trekking chimpanzees, you need to wake up early prepare, have your breakfast at the lodge/ lodges then get your trekking permit and then meet your safari driver guide and drive to the Kanyanchu visitor’s center for a briefing. While here, you will meet other trekkers and then get a briefing from the park wardens who will sensitize you a bout the rules and regulations of the activity and the expectations. After that, trekkers are assigned a chimpanzee family and grouped not exceeding 12 people, given an armed ranger guide, and then driven to the starting point of the trekking.
At the starting point of the trek, your assigned armed ranger guide leads the trek followed by trekkers in search for the chimpanzees. You will use different trekking routes within the forest where these chimpanzees normally hang or eat fruits. The search for chimpanzees may takes 2-6 hours and expect to meet various wildlife species such as monkeys and several bird species in the jungle.
Once these chimps are located, trekkers are given a maximum of one hour to keep around with these intelligent chimps, this enables you to study about their behaviour as you take photos and videos. You will also have chance to see them do daily activities such as feeding, nurturing, resting, hunting, breast feeding, coupling among others.
Things to pack
For travellers to have a successful chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale forest national park such as those coming from the United States of America, you are advised to pack the following items; gardening gloves, long cotton stocks, long-sleeved shirts, waterproof hiking shoes, a pair of gaiters, long sleeves shorts, binoculars, a camera, rain jacket, sweater, a light backpack, sunscreen, insect repellents, energy giving snacks, drinking water bottle, a mong others.
Best time to trek chimpanzees of Kibale from the United States of America
Visitors from the United States of America can trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park all year round. However, certain months are more ideal than the rest. The dry months that run from June to September and December to February offers the best experience for chimpanzee trekking and this is because the park is receives little or no rainfall, the dry trekking trails are easier to navigate, vegetation is short with vivid sight views for chimpanzees and roads leading to the park are in very good conditions.
Alternatively, visitors from the United States of America can still visit Kibale for chimpanzee trekking during the rainy season but this works best for budget travelers. The rainy season draws few people and park lodges offer huge discounts to attract visitors. However, the rainy season is not the best for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest because the park receives too much rainfall that makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, vegetation is tall with obscure views of wildlife, and roads connecting to the park are impassable.
Accommodation In Kibale Forest
Travellers from the United States of America should not worry about where to stay because the park offers unique and comfortable accommodation facilities based on the visitors travel budget since most of the lodges are within and around Kibale. These facilities range from luxury, mid range, and budge options. These facilities include Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Guereza Canopy Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, Kibale Tourist Safari Lodge, Kyaninga Crater Lodge, Rweteera Safari Camp, Rweteera Safari Park, Crater Safari Lodge, Kibale Forest Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Kibale Lodge, Primate Lodge, Chimpundu Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, among others.
