5 Activities you can add On Your Chimpanzee Trek in Kibale National park

5 Activities you can add On Your Chimpanzee Trek in Kibale National park

A combination of chimpanzee trekking and others Uganda Safari activities gives you a lot of choices to make based on your Africa holiday time. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National park is exciting because you get to see habituated human cousins but there are 5 activities you can add on your chimpanzee trek in Kibale National Park.

As mountain gorillas share the 98%, Chimpanzees have 99% human a DNA making them called our ‘‘closest relatives’’. They behave like humans and live a democratic life where the community votes there Alpha male. Females have an upper hand in selecting the new alpha male.

Kibale National Park is a famous Uganda birding destination harboring about 335 bird species. Kibale forest is an extensive biodiversity national Park protecting a large block of rainforest birding. You may get to spot birds like the scarce Grey-Headed Olive back, red faced woodland, Green-backed Twin Spot, yellow spotted nectar, , purple-breasted sunbird, Black and White Mannikins, blue-breasted kingfisher, Collared Apalis to mention but a few.

Close to the park are other activities especially on the outskirts of Kibale National park

Highlights of the 5 Activities You can add On Your Chimpanzee Trek in Kibale National park

• Primate Walk  In Kibale National park
• Birding in Kibale National Park
• Amabere ga Nyinamwiru And Tooro Kingdom
• Game Drive and Launch trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi impenetrable National Park
• Primate Walk In Kibale National park

Kibale National park is a primate haven hosting over 13 primate species inclusive of the chimpanzees. After chimpanzee trekking, you may take a primate walk especially in Bigodi wetland sanctuary in Magombe swamp where you may get to spot black and white colobus, L’Hoests’, bush babies, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, red colobus monkeys, pottos monkeys, blue monkeys and others.  The diversity and density of primates in Kibale National park is the highest in Africa.

Birding in Kibale National Park

In Kibale forest National Park bird list is increasing day by day but so far about 335 bird species have been recorded. Arranging a birding safari expedition in Kibale National park is never disappointing because of the favorable habitats where birds thrive.  The Kanyanchu Visitor Center to the bridge is one of the best birding points in Kibale national park.

Taking this quiet wide road you go through the lush rain forest which opens opportunities to spotting a variety of birds. You go through the amazing forest canopy and under storey. Before you enter the forest check out for Look out for scared Grey-headed olive-back, Scaly Francolin, Green-backed Twin, black-and white Mannikins to mention but a few.

Taking of a birding adventure to Bigodi Sanctuary in Magombe Swamp may give you chance to identify a variety of bird species. Some of the birds you may get to see include the shoebill, little Greebill, Abyssinian ground thrush, the crowned eagle, yellow spotted nectar, purple-breasted sunbird, Collared Apalis,  blue-headed sunbird, Yellow Rumped tinker birds and others.

When you stand at the boardwalk and look over from the view tower that go through the papyrus reeds, this 4 km walk may last about 3 hours to 4 hours. When you look keenly you may have a chances of spotting the rare shoe bill are higher here and variety of other birds.

Game Drive and Launch trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National park is just a short drive from Kibale National park. The southern point of Kibale adjoins Queen Elizabeth National Park creating a protected are of about 180 km. Here a number of animals cross from Queen Elizabeth National Park into Kibale Forest.

The drive from Kibale National park to the main entrance in Queen Elizabeth National park is about an hour. You may decide to do a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National park especially the crater lakes area with both dry and wet craters. The most outstanding is the Nyamunuka Crater Lake with a putrid smell of rotten eggs. Its smell results from dead animals that normally move to the lake for treatment, referred to as the animal hospital. Those that fail to make it die here and no one is there to burry there carcasses.

Taking the Kasenyi tracks is amazing as this grassland is a common hangout point for Uganda Kobs. The sneaky lions wait to prey on them from the camouflage of dry grass. The chances of seeing the wildlife drama are more open here.

During a game drive you may get to spot animals like lions, leopards, elephants, cape buffaloes, and hyenas, water bucks, bush bucks, warthogs, Uganda Kobs, giant forest hogs, variety of birds and so much more

Taking a launch trip on Kazinga Channel is a remarkable Uganda safari activity. This three hours trek gives you a wider view of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s beauties right from the rift valley floor. The Rwenzori ranges come into full view while on the boat cruise especially on a clear day the snowcapped Margherita peak stands out.

Look over the banks for visiting thirsty wild animals like lions, herd of elephants, water bucks, bush bucks, schools of hippos, Nile crocodiles and others. The banks never run out of flocks of birds that love picking a meal from the marshy grounds. A number of water birds and scavengers love munching on the freebies of Kazinga channel. Some of the birds you may spot include African Skimmers, Lesser and Greater flamingos, Chapin’s flycatcher, Papyrus Gonolek, corncrake, papyrus canary, martial eagle and others.

Visit Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru and Tooro Kingdom

From chimpanzee trekking, you can step outside the boundaries of Kibale National Park for a hike to the Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru and Tooro kingdom. The Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru is a local word meaning breasts of Nyinamwiru. This mythical tale is a geographical feature of stalactites and stalagmites is located in the bushy scrubs at the periphery of Fort Portal town.

As you descend the ridge, an amazing sparkling water fall stands out just a few step of the paths. The guide gives you the folk tale surrounding the name of this feature.

Continue for an evening in Tooro Kingdom with its dome-shaped palace. This beautiful palace over looks Fort Portal town. The Batooro king is called Omukama and the current reigning King of Tooro is Omukama Oyo Rukidi Kabamba Iguru.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi impenetrable National Park

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National park after chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National park is amazing. The mountain gorillas are some of the remnant of the ice age era. In the entire world, the mountain gorillas live in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo.

You must acquire a gorilla trekking permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority at a current cost of about $700 per person per trek. The park has four renowned gorilla trekking areas that is Buhoma area, Ruhijja gorilla trekking area, Rushaga gorilla trekking area and Nkuringo gorilla trekking area. You must know where your permit is booked before securing an overnight accommodation.

Note; on the day of gorilla trekking, carry all the gorilla trekking gears so that you do not have to borrow from others or even not keep memories of this lifetime dream come true experience.

Although chimpanzees are some of the primates known to be living in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, they are still wild. Others primates you can spot in this forest include black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s and others.

Getting to Kibale National park

By road

Drive from Kampala the capital city of Uganda taking two that can form a circuit once you decide to use both either when going or returning from Kibale National park. you can use either of the below are the two route you can follow.

Take the Kampala to Mubende to Fort portal drive to the main park administrative center of the park at Kanyanchu Visitor Center. The distance from the Kampala city to Kibale National park is 300km.  This is the northern route from Kampala city.

Drive from Kampala to Mbarara to Kamwenge to Fort Portal, which is the southern route to Kibale National park. Get off the tarmac road and drive on a murram road for 36 km up Kibale National Park. Enjoy the enroute scenery especially the local people’s gardens, herds of cattle and sometimes zebras from Lake Mburo National park may come close to the road taking a stop at the Equator for some photos is gorgeous.

You may also arrive at an alternative tourism center for the Kibale National Park at Sebitori Forest Camp. This center is located near the Kampala main road to Fort Portal. Get ready to drive for about 16 km before approaching Fort Portal town.

To enjoy the safari experience of both routes you can from the northern route and return with the southern route according to the driver guide’s advice.  Go through the Kampala-Mubende- Fort portal and depart with Kibale-Fort Portal-Mbarara-Kampala.

From Bwindi Impenetrable National Park you need about 6 hours to arrive Kibale National park driving for about 252.9 km.

By Air Flights

Domestic daily flights depart Kajjansi Air strip or Entebbe Airport in the morning and afternoon to Kasese airstrip.  This is not the stopping point to Kibale National park. You need to hire a transfer vehicle to Kibale National park in advance. There no ready Airstrip Cabs ready for you.

For more private experience, you may book a private flights, Charter flights can be arranged from Kajjansi Air Strip or Entebbe Air strip and we can assist you in booking it for no extra costs

Booking Chimpanzee Trekking Permits for Kibale National Park

To do Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national Park you need permit from Uganda wildlife Authority. The cost of the chimpanzee trekking permit is $200 per person per trek. You must check for availability because even these permits have a limit as to how many can be sold per day.

Uganda wildlife Authority is the only body mandated to sell chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation permits in the county. Two sessions per day are available to book in case you want to do chimpanzee trekking that is in the morning or afternoon. Trust us and we assist you in booking for without any hustle and extra charges.

Accommodation in Kibale National Park

The vacation memories are made by a comfortable sleep in a facility of your budget. Kibale National park provides a range of accommodation facilities for you to choose from. The park offers Luxury facilities to Midrange Facilities to Budget accommodation facilities.  You may choose to overnight in Fort Portal town before gorilla trekking or facilities close to the park premises

Kibale accommodations facilities include you can overnight at during include Mountains Of the Moon Hotel,  Ndali Lodge, Rwenzori Guest house ,Kyaninga Lodge, Kibale safari Lodge, Primates Lodge, Mantana Luxury Tented Camp, CVK, Chimpanzee Guest house, , Chimps Nest Camp and others

What to Pack for Chimpanzee Trekking In Kibale National Park

Packing in a portable bag in an organized way, packing relevantly and light makes your trip enjoyable since you do not need to worry about unpacking and repacking your luggage. It gets nasty if you have to repack and change facility especially if you have more than one destination to visit.

• Medicated Insect repellant for covering your skin from stinging insects
• A pair of Binoculars to bring a closer view of far ranging objects.
• A torch to use in the nights when lights go out.
• Rain coat in case it rains during chimpanzee trekking
• Comfortable shoes to use for trekking in the jungle and for the safety of your feet while in the wilderness.
• Sun glasses to use for protecting your eyes from dripping water of the leaves and buzzing insects
• Sunscreen to smear your entire body and protect your skin from sun rays
• A foldable hat to protect your hair from dripping water off the tree leaves
• A fleece or sweater because it gets cold during the morning and late evenings.
• Travel AC adapter and charger in case you need then for your electronic equipment
• Bug spray to use in case bugs invade you
• Safari convertible trousers and shirt for protecting your body against rough jungle surfaces like biting nettles.
• The camera to use when taking photos of the chimpanzee trekking experience and other activities you combine with.

Safari vacations and travel services designs itineraries in Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC with over 10 years of experience and we are proud of our reputation for executing some of the most highly-rated vacation experiences. Our local consultants plan with you your preferred itinerary using expert ground knowledge. We take care of all the local logistics like permits, accommodation, and transport. And also, manage your entire trip, from start to finish.

For inquiries, advice on how to plan for this safari, booking the hiking permits, Gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking permits; organizing transport and accommodation, get in touch with safari vacations and travel services, we help you to avoid hustles and inconveniences after landing for the safari.