Compare Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park with Kalinzu Forest: Located in western Uganda, Kibale National Park crowned Africa’s Primate Capital is a very popular chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda as well as Africa, thanks to huge numbers of population including the largest population of chimpanzees in Africa.
Kibale Forest National Park boasts over 13 species of primates including the largest populations of chimpanzees estimated to be more than 1,500 chimpanzees, other primates including black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, bush babys, potto among others.
Chimpanzee trekkingin Kibale is a half-day excursion done in two sessions that is in the morning and afternoon, and all visitors are required to have chimpanzee trekking permits issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Kalinzu Forest is another popular chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda located in the Rubirizi District in the Greater Bushenyi Region of Southwestern Uganda. The forest reserve is situated close to Maramagambo forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park, it is home to 6 species of primates including chimpanzees, baboons blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, Vervet monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys.
Kalinzu Forest has two habituated chimpanzee communities of chimpanzee that are open for chimpanzee trekking experience, the forest is under the management of National Forest Authority and all the permits are issued through concessions.
Compare Chimpanzee Permit Price in Kibale National Park with Kalinzu Forest
The cost of a chimpanzee permit in Kalinzu Forest is $ 50 and you can book for these permits at the reception Centre of the reserve, a permit for Kibale Forest is $ 250 and you can obtain it conveniently through a tour operator.
It is important to book these permits prior to your day of chimpanzee trekking.
Chimpanzee Trekking Experience in Kalinzu Forest and Kibale National Park
Chimpanzee treks at both Kibale National Park and Kalinzu Forest star early morning with briefing about the dos and don’ts at the forest headquarters. Later you are grouped into 8 members each with Park guides and rangers who lead you to the forest for your chimpanzee experience. The trek takes about 2 to 4 hours, depending on the movement of the chimpanzees and where they spent their previous night.
After finding the chimpanzees, you are allocated only one hour of being in the presence of these playful creatures, expect to see other forest creatures like reptiles and mammals.
Chance s of seeing chimpanzees in Kibale National Park and Kalinzu Forest are 95%. In every chimpanzee permit, one is guaranteed of services of a ranger guide from Uganda Wildlife Authority for Kibale Forest and National Forest Authority of Kalinzu Forest. These permits also include one hour with chimpanzees as well as Park Entry fees for both places
What is the best time for Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and Kalinzu forest?
The best time to do chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park is in the months of June to October and December to March, this period is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for Chimpanzee Trekking in the forest, also the vegetation cover is not fully grown.
It is easy to spot chimpanzees, they provide a magnificent view in other months of April, May and November. Usually, the rainy season makes the vegetation tall and obscures the observation of the chimpanzees, but walking is usually shorter during this time. In short, the availability of food makes the chimpanzees stop looking for the food.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park and Kalinzu Forest can be done through the year, it is a very-organized activity and you will have 99% chances of seeing the chimpanzees.
How to access Kibale Forest National Park for Chimpanzee Trekking
Kibale National Park can be reached via the main safari circuit from Entebbe/Kampala to Fort Portal, the drive takes approximately 45 hours. Also you can enter the park via the Kampala- Mbarara – Kasese Highway, which runs from Kasese to Kibale Forest on a drive of 12 hours.
By Plane: you can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kasese Airstrip, from here you will head to Kibale National Park. Regular and charter flights are offered by Aero Link and Fly Uganda.
You will need the help of your travel agency for the road transfer service to the park.
How to access Kalinzu forest for Chimpanzee Trekking
By Road: Kalinzu Forest can be accessed through the main safari circuit from Entebbe/Kampala to Kasese either via Fort Portal or Bushenyi which is approximately 6-7 hours’ drive. You can as well access the forest through Ka,pala – Fort Portal – Kasese Highway , from Kasese you will connect to the Kyambura Gorge with 1-2 hours drive.
The best way to get to Kalinzu Forest from Kampala is by driving through the Kampala – Mbarara Busenyi Highway.
By Air – You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kasese Airstrip from here you will transfer to Kalinzu Forest. You will need to plan with your tour operator for a transfer from the airstrip to Kalinzu Forest for chimpanzee trekking.
Where Else can I see chimpanzees in Uganda?
Also known as Africa’s Primate Capital, Uganda is home to various primate species and the popular places to see habituated chimpanzees are Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo and Kalinzu Forest.
What do I need to see chimpanzees in Budongo, Kalinzu or Kibale National Park?
To see the primates or trek chimpanzees in Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest or Kibale National Park you need a valid chimpanzee permit issed by Uganda Widllife Authority for Kibale National Park and permits for Budongo and Kalinzu are issued by National Forest Authority.
These permits give you access to the forests to spend one hour with habituated communities of chimpanzees. You should book your permit in advance, depending on the availability. There are two sessions every day, so you may choose to trek in the morning or afternoon.
How long can spend stay with chimpanzees on my trek?
All chimpanzee treks in Uganda as well as Africa are for one hour with the chimpanzees, the whole trek takes approximately 2 to hour depending on the movement of the chimpanzees and where they spent their previous night. Thanks to the help of trackers who leave before the trek, you will be able to find these chimpanzees as soon as possible.
How old should I be to trek chimpanzees in Uganda?
Similar to other primate experiences in Africa, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda has a minimum age of one must have to visit them. The minimum age for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is 15 years and above.
This is highly enforced by requesting Passport details at booking or trekking.
There is no maximum age for chimpanzee trekking, as long as you are physically fit and able to hike to these chimpanzees.
