What to do in Kibale after chimpanzee habituation
What to do in Kibale after chimpanzee habituation: Kibale Forest national Park is one of the few destinations famous for chimpanzee habituation experience and other related activities such as chimpanzee trekking, among others. Kibale is more than just a home for chimpanzee habituation. Located in Kabarole district, it covers 321 sq.km and is home to various attractions, including animals, birds, and plants.
The forest hosts over 13 primate species, 120 mammals, and 370 bird species. It is the only national park in Uganda for chimpanzee habituation, with the highest number of chimpanzees. Additionally, tourists can enjoy a variety of other activities after their habituation experience.
Activities to do in Kibale after chimpanzee habituation
Chimpanzee trekking
Tourists at Kibale Forest National Park can engage in chimpanzee trekking, which is different from chimpanzee habituation. Trekking involves searching for chimpanzees and observing them for a limited time. Before trekking, visitors receive a briefing at Kanyanchu headquarters about the rules. Groups of no more than 8 people are led by armed ranger guides into the forest. The search for chimpanzees lasts between 2 to 5 hours using various trails.
During the trekking experience, visitors have the opportunity to see some of the park’s mammals, primates, bird species, and water sources, among others. When the chimpanzees are located, trekkers are given 1 hour to observe them, allowing them to learn about their habits as they carry out daily activities such as nesting, hunting, playing, and mating.
Birding
Kibale forest is home to over 370 bird species, including 23 unique to the Albertine region. Tourists on a chimpanzee habituation safari can enjoy bird-watching activities in and around the forest. A knowledgeable bird-watching guide and a local community guide can assist in finding various bird species.
You will therefore have an opportunity to spot several bird species, including the cassin’s spinetail, green-breasted pitta, barn swallow, African emerald cuckoo, blue-headed bee-eater, lowland masked apalis, and African blue flycatcher, bronze mannikin, among others.
Other birds to see include the chubb’s cisticola, African wood owl, Yellow rumped tinkerbird, brown illadopsis, African citril, black billed turaco, ashy flycatcher, Abyssinian hill babbler, crowned eagle, African pied wagtail, blue shouldered robin chat, blue throated roller, yellow billed barbet, zebra waxbill, little greenbul, black faced rufous warbler, and others.
Community visits
One of the nearby communities around Kibale Forest national park is Bigodi. The community comprises residents who work in various jobs to earn a living. While on a chimpanzee habituation safari in the park, tourists who love culture can visit different homes within the Bigodi community to see the various crafts people make.
A community tour in Bigodi is done on foot with local guides who take you to homes like those of coffee farmers and makers, wine makers, and traditional healers. A visit to a coffee home offers an opportunity to learn how coffee is grown, harvested, sun-dried, and later turned into powder. A visit to winemakers offers a chance to see how wine is made, and one is allowed to taste. Traditional healers have remedies for various diseases.
When to go chimpanzee habituation in Kibale Forest national park
Tourists can visit chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park at any time, but the dry season is best. The ideal months are June to September and December to February, offering good weather with less rain and more sunshine. During the dry season, trekking trails are dry, views of chimpanzees are better, and roads are in good shape. Visiting in the rainy season is possible, but the weather can be challenging.
During the rainy season, trekking trails in Kibale Forest become muddy and slippery, vegetation grows tall, limiting views of chimpanzees, and roads to the park are poor. Budget travelers can find discounted accommodation during this time.
Accommodation
Tourists visiting Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee habituation have many accommodation options. The surrounding areas offer budget, mid-range, and luxury options. Notable places include Chimpundu Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge, Turaco Treetops, Isunga Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, Kibale Forest Lodge, and Crater Safari Lodge.
Accessing Kibale Forest national park for chimpanzee habituation
Tourists visiting Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee habituation can reach it in one day. The journey takes about 7 hours by road from Entebbe through various towns to Kabarole District.
