Main Info
KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
Brief:
Kibale is highest at the park’s northern tip, which stands 1,590m above sea level. The lowest point is 1,100m on the floor of the Albertine Rift Valley to the south.
351 tree species have been recorded in the park, some rise to over 55m and are over 200 years old.
Kibale’s varied altitude supports different types of habitat, ranging from wet tropical forest on the Fort Portal plateau to woodland and savanna on the rift valley floor.
Kibale is one of Africa’s foremost research sites. While many researchers focus on the chimpanzees and other primates found in the park, others are investigating Kibale’s ecosystems, wild pigs and fish species, among other topics.
More details: https://www.ugandawildlife.org/explore-our-parks/parks-by-name-a-z/kibale-national-park
What to do
1. Chimpanzee Tracking
With around a 90% chance of finding chimpanzees on any particular day, Kibale National Park is undoubtedly the most popular place to track them in Uganda. There’s a morning (8am) and afternoon (2pm) departure, and while there are plenty of hills along the trails, the walking isn’t difficult if you’re in shape. Children aged 12 and under aren’t permitted.
2. Nature Walks
You’ll be very lucky to see chimps on a nature walk but as nearly 1500 dwell here, you never know your luck, and there’s a good chance you’ll hear some scamper off through the treetops. With frequent sightings of owls, civets and the 12cm-long Demidoff’s dwarf galago, night walks can be very rewarding.
3. Birding
Bird watching tours start at 7am at Kanyanchu. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, located just outside the park, is home to 138 bird species which may be seen during guided walks along the boardwalk trail and viewing platforms.
4. Cultural Encounters
Join a local guide on a walk through the Magombe swamp wetlands to enjoy the local wildlife, birds and vegetation. The daily life of the Batooro can be discovered during village walks, including stops at the village’s primary school, church and traditional healer.
5. Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX)
The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) enables visitors to accompany researchers and habituators into the forest. The chimpanzee groups involved are less accustomed to human presence than those visited on the Primate Walk and following and viewing them is both exciting and challenging.
Itinerary
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Trip Overview
This 4 day Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari takes you exploring the Kibale Forest National Park jungle, “the primate capital of the world”, to trek the wild but habituated chimpanzees and to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the home of the more than half the population of the World’s remaining Mountain Gorillas, to trek the gentle apes that share more than 90% of their genes with humans.
In between these two Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari highlights will be a nature walk in the Bigodi swamp to see other primates, colourful birds, rare plants and insects; and to view the picturesque lakes and landscapes in the crater lakes region around the National Park.
Safari Highlights
✅The unforgettable experience of trekking Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees in their natural habitats and observing them closely as they go about their daily routines.
✅Discovering Africa’s other primates and wildlife, colourful birds, rare plants and beautiful insects.
✅Enjoying scenic views of the awesome volcanic landscapes and picturesque crater lakes
✅Meeting the local people to learn about their traditional activities and lifestyles.
✅Standing in two hemispheres at the same time at the Equator line.
Itinerary Details
Day 1: Travel to Kibale Forest National Park
You will be met by our trusted Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari guide that will drive you and your party westwards to Fort Portal town. The drive will take about 4 -5 hours. Have lunch in Fort Portal and continue to Kibale. In the afternoon we visit a nearby forest swamp that is excellent for viewing primates and other forest animals. At the eastern edge of Kibale forest is bigodi wetland sanctuary which is maintained by the local community. You will expect birds like the great blue turaco, blue monkeys baboons otters mongoose, bushbucks, bush pigs and among others
Accommodation Options: Luxury, Mid-range, Budget
Meal Plan: Full-board basis.
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking over 12 primates in Kibale Nation Park
After a big Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari breakfast, report at the Kanyanchu Tourist Centre (Park Headquarters) at 08.00 am for a briefing on the rules for tracking the chimpanzees. Kibale Forest National Park has the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. The most famous of its 13 species is the Chimpanzee known to be a delightful ape. The trek takes 2-3 hours and it will provide you with the opportunity to also see a variety of other primates & animals as well as birds. You will return to the lodge for lunch and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park arriving late in the afternoon.
Dinner and overnight will be at the lodge of your booking.
Accommodation Options: Luxury, Mid-range, Budget.
Meal Plan: Full board Basis
Day 3: Gorilla trekking (Bwindi impenetrable NP), Tracking the mountain Gorillas.
Today enjoy gorilla tracking in Bwindi. After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before the highlighting of the trip.
We trek the gorillas through the rain forest and bamboo covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten.
When the gorillas are sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 meters from the gorillas, sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes. Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It’s difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla excursion can take from 2 up 8 hours.
Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas.
Overnight will be at your Safari lodge of booking.
Accommodation Options: Luxury, Mid-range, Budget
Meal Plan: Full-board basis.
Day 4: Transfer to Kampala
You will have breakfast and drive to Kampala arriving in time for a transfer to the airport for your departure flight or for dinner and overnight at the hotel of your booking.
End of the Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari.
Requirements for this Safari:
• A Visa – you can apply for the visa online or very easily get one at the point of entry into the country (airport)
• Chimpanzee and Gorilla trekking permits – You can apply and secure these on line but experience has shown that it is better coordinated when you send money to the tour firm to handle it for you at no extra cost to the standard fee (USD600)
• Travel &Health insurance – This should be arranged by you in your home country before you travel.
• Physical fitness
The Safari package includes:
• Full board accommodation as per the itinerary
• 4WD open roof safari vehicle
• Bottled drinking water
• Chimpanzee trekking permit
• Game drives
• Gorilla trekking permit
• Services of an English Speaking Driver/guide.
• Community visit fees
• Guided nature walks
• Return airport transfers
The Safari package excludes expenses of a personal nature such as:
• Other drinks apart from bottled water
• Laundry
• Tips to local guides
• Telephone expenses
• Porter fees while trekking Gorillas and chimpanzees
• Personal insurance
• Cigarettes
END.
