What is the Best Season to See Chimpanzees of Kibale Forest National Park
As tour operators, travellers always ask about the best season to see chimpanzees of Kibale Forest National Park. Well, tourists need to know that climate in terms of time and the weather is fundamental in determining the best time and season to see chimpanzees. This means that during fruitful season, chimps tend not to move very far since they have enough food to feed on, more still when the trekking trails are dry it becomes easier for trekkers to access these primates in their natural habitats, offering visibility of the wildlife such as other primates, animals and birds, among others.
Chimpanzees trekking in Kibale Forest National Park is an all-year-round activity, however certain months standout from others. The dry season months which run from June to September and December to February are considered the best to trek chimpanzees of Kibale Forest national park. This is because the roads connecting to the park are always dry and in good condition, together with the trekking trails and a little easier to navigate, vegetation is short with good sightings of chimpanzees.
Travellers especially budget travelers can visit Kibale Forest national park during the rainy season which runs from March to May and from October to November. This period is characterised by few tourists who visit the park due to bad weather conditions so some accommodations / lodges and tour operators reduce the prices. However, the rainy season is never condusive for chimpanzee trekking because the trekking trails are muddy, slick and slippery, vegetation is tall with unclear views of wildlife, and roads leading to the park tend to be in poor conditions. However, many travellers have always asked us whether chimpanzee sightings are guaranteed in Kibale National Park.
Are chimpanzee sightings Guaranteed in Kibale National Park
By nature, chimpanzees are wild and can move freely, so there is no complete guarantee of seeing them in Kibale Forest National Park. However, the chances of spotting them are high. This is because many armed ranger guides track and monitor these chimpanzees daily, sharing their locations with each other via radio calls.
Kibale Forest National Park has the highest chance of seeing chimpanzees in Uganda due to its large population of these intelligent apes of over 1,500 chimpanzees. The park is home to more than 13 chimpanzee families, with 2 families available for tourism, totalling over 200 individuals. Tourists can see these chimpanzees during treks led by armed ranger guides. The best time to spot them is in the morning, as they typically sleep near the starting points.
Tourists can see chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park in the evening, but it takes longer since the chimpanzees travel far for food. When there are fewer fruits available, they move greater distances. On a chimpanzee trekking safari, rangers will guide you to the areas where the chimpanzees usually feed. If you do not see them after trekking for a long time in the afternoon, you can join the morning group the next day to search for the chimpanzees again.
A morning trek in Kibale Forest increases the chances of spotting chimpanzees. Armed ranger guides start early to find where the chimpanzees slept the previous night. Since chimpanzees move around during the day, trekking in the morning saves time. Tourists have consistently seen chimpanzees while trekking in this park. The Uganda Wildlife Authority provides well-trained ranger guides who monitor chimpanzee movements. Trackers enter the jungle first to see where the chimpanzees nested and use radios to inform armed guides about their location for the day.
How much are chimpanzee permits in Kibale Forest national park- Best Season to See Chimpanzees of Kibale Forest
Travellers planning to see chimpanzees in Kibale national park must have a chimpanzee trekking permit. This is a legal document issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to tourists to participate in chimpanzee trekking activities upon reaching the park. One chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale Forest National Park costs $250 for foreign non-residents, $200 for foreign residents, and UGX180,000 East African members states.
How to get to Kibale Forest National Park
Travellers planning to visit Kibale Forest National Park can get to the park by using road transport or air transport. The park can be accessed by air transport from Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airstrip. A drive from Kasese Airstrip to Kibale Forest k takes less than 2 hours by road. Alternatively, to fly to Kibale Forest for chimpanzee trekking you must book your seat early with some of the leading airline companies such as Pearl Sky, Aerolink Uganda or Bar Aviation Uganda.
Travelers using road transport can access Kibale Forest in period of 6-7 hours including stopovers. The national park is about 300km away from Kampala and getting there you need to pass through Masaka-Mbarara Highway via Kamwenge to the park. You can also drive through Mityana, Mubende, Kyegegwa, Kyenjonjo, and Fort Portal to the park.
