Chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda : Chimpanzee habituation experience is among the many activities which can be carried out during a tour around Uganda. The process of chimpanzee habituation involves getting the chimpanzees used to human beings around them. This experience prepares the chimpanzees for the chimpanzee tracking experience.
During a tour around Uganda, chimpanzee habituation can be done in Kibale forest national park which is located in Kabarole district. Chimpanzee habituation starts with a briefing at Kanyanchu park headquarters by the ranger guides before proceeding into the Kibale forest for the activity.
This activity takes a whole day and can start as early as 6:00 am. Chimpanzee habituation involves spending time with the chimpanzees and getting them used to the presence of humans in their natural habitat.
The amount of time you will be allowed to spend with the chimpanzees during the habituation experience in Kibale national park is 4 hours. During the 4 hours you can watch as the chimpanzees play, groom each other, breast feed and also observe their behavior.
During the chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda, a maximum of 4 people are permitted to engage in the activity. Many other primates which can be seen around Kibale forest national park where the chimpanzee habituation activity is done include black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, L’hoest monkey among others.
The national park has over 13 primate species. Other wildlife species found in the Kibale forest include forest elephants, duikers, sitatungas among others.
You are allocated ranger guides for the chimpanzee habituation experience who will be with you as you explore the Kibale forest and spend time observing the chimpanzees. As you record videos and take photos of the chimpanzees, using the camera flash is discouraged.
When taking part in chimpanzee habituation in Kibale national park, you are in a way contributing to conservation and by getting the chimpanzees used to the presence of humans in their habitat, you make it easier to learn about the chimpanzees behavior and how to protect them.
Booking the chimpanzee habituation permits
Chimpanzee habituation permits are to be booked or purchased in advance. This is because the permits are limited for specific dates. Check with your tour operator for availability of these permits before confirming dates for a Uganda Safari Tour.
After purchase of the chimpanzee habituation permits, the money paid can not be reimbursed. A chimpanzee habituation permit costs 250 USD for foreign non residents, 200 USD for foreign residents and 200,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans. This fee is inclusive of guide fees and entrance fees to Kibale national park.
The chimpanzee habituation permits can be booked with Uganda Wildlife Authority through a licenced tour operator.
What to wear during the chimpanzee habituation experience
When planning for a tour to Uganda, it is also recommended that you choose the right clothing for the activity. For a chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale national park, comfortable and protective clothing is recommended such as long sleeved shirts and trousers.
You can also carry lots of water and a packed lunch during the activity as well as waterproof boots, rain jackets and also insect repellant.
Best time for chimpanzee habituation
The best time for this activity in Uganda is the wet season in March, April and May and also in November. You can however also visit Kibale national park during the dry season from June to October.
The reason why the rainy season is a good time for chimpanzee habituation is because there is plenty of food for the chimpanzees as compared to the dry season when the chimpanzees have to move deeper into Kibale forest to search for the food.
How to get to Kibale national park
Kibale National Park, which is the destination where the chimpanzee habituation experience can be done, is found in the western part of Uganda.
The national park can be accessed by driving from Kampala or Entebbe via the Mubende- Fort Portal road or using the Mbarara- Kamwenge road. The drive to Kibale national park during a tour in Uganda takes about 5 to 6 hours.
Other activities to do in Kibale national park
There is so much more to do during a tour around Kibale national park and the activities include the following;
- Chimpanzee tracking
Kibale forest is the best place in Uganda to see the chimpanzees during a chimpanzee tracking activity at the destination. Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda can also be done in Budongo forest, Kalinzu forest as well as Kyambura gorge.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest national park in Uganda can be done in the morning or in the afternoon and involves spending one hour with the chimpanzees and a permit for this activity costs 200 USD for Foreign non residents, 150 USD for foreign residents and 150,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
Booking a chimpanzee permit in advance is also recommended and this can be done through a licenced tour operator. Some of the things to pack or bring with you for a chimpanzee tracking experience include insect repellant, waterproof hiking boots, water, a walking stick, camera and binoculars, sunhat and sunscreen among others.
- Birding
Another activity which is done in Kibale national park is birding. Kibale forest has over 370 bird species such as yellow billed barbets, blue breasted kingfisher, bee eaters, crowned eagles and many others.
The best time to see the bird around Kibale national park is from March to May, September to October and also November to April when migratory birds can be seen.
- Guided nature walks
Kibale national park can also be explored during guided nature walks around the national park. Some of the places where this activity can be done include Sebitoli forest. These guided nature walks bring people closer to the nature of Kibale forest during their tours.
About 6km from Kanyanchu headquarters, you can also visit the Bigodi wetlands where different bird species can be seen.
During a tour around Kibale national park, there are many places to stay including budget, midrange and also luxury lodges.
