Discounted Kibale chimpanzee permits for foreign residents and East African citizens

Discounted Kibale chimpanzee permits for foreign residents and East African Citizens. Kibale Forest National Park located in the western part of Uganda is Uganda's main chimpanzee trekking destination with over 1500 chimpanzees. The National Park is home to 13 primate species and all these can be seen during the trekking species some of which include L'hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys.

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Discounted chimpanzee trekking permits in Uganda were announced in November 2020 by the Uganda Wildlife Authority on their website and this was the last time that Uganda offered discounts on any permits. 

The cost of the chimpanzee permit for Foreign residents is $150 but as of 1st July 2024, it will be $200 per person. This is a major discount from the chimp trek permit for foreign non-residents which is $200 and as of 1st July 2024, it will be $250 per person. To be considered a foreign resident, you need to have lived in the country for more than 6 months, and you need to prove that by either providing a work permit or ID given to foreign residents.

East African residents are people from countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi and South Sudan. You need to have a national ID or passport to show that you are a citizen in either of the mentioned countries. The cost of the permit for East African residents at the moment is $150, 000 per person and $180, 000 per person from, July 2023.

The changes that have been made will affect all the chimpanzees that are rescheduled and bought after 1st July 2024, and the Uganda Wildlife Authority announced these in January 2024. Contact our team for more information.

What is a chimp tracking permit?

This is a legal document printed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority for all tourists who wish to track chimpanzees in Kibale National Park. The chimpanzee permit can be purchased by tourists who are 12 years and above, and this has to be bought at least 6 months before the trek date for better planning.

How to purchase chimp permits in Kibale Forest National Park.

Chimp permits in Kibale National Park can be booked through UWA and a trusted tour operator and the steps are simple. You have to first contact a tour operator with the dates (date, month, and year) you wish to track chimps so that we can check for the availability of the permits. Once we prove that the permits are available, we will contact you with an invoice and the next step is to send in payment on the provided company banking details. When payment has been confirmed, we proceed with the purchase of the permit on your behalf and send you a copy of the permit.

Some of the details that will be asked when booking for the permit include a copy of your passport or National ID to prove you are above twelve years old, names, and the number of permits that need to be purchased. You need to make sure that the details provided are correct because, after purchasing the permits, it is hard to change them.

Uganda Wildlife Authority also requires that you pay at least 305 of the total permit cost for booking to be made and the 70% has to be made 90 days before the trek date.

How long is chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park?

Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park takes 2 to 5 hours, depending on the physical fitness of the trekkers and the location of the chimpanzee family community you have been assigned. Chimpanzees are always on the move searching for food and this is why it is sometimes hard to find them, however, you have a 99% chance of spotting the chimpanzees and when they are found, all trekkers have an hour with the chimpanzees.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is carried out early morning and this is considered to be the best time because you not only get to spot the chimps as they de-nest but you also get to observe them as they prepare for the day. Chimpanzees live in communities and once the head of the family decides to move deeper into the forest, the whole community follows suit and you will find that you will sometimes trek for more hours searching for the primates.

The chimp trek experience in Kibale

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park starts early morning with guides briefing all the trekkers about the rules and regulations that tourists have to follow when tracking chimpanzees in Kibale. After the morning briefing, you are put into groups of 8, and with the lead guide, the trek for the habituated chimpanzee groups starts. The chimp tracking experience can take between 30 minutes to 4 hours and there are a lot of factors influencing the time some of which include the physical fitness of the trekkers and the location of the chimpanzees you are trekking. Chimpanzees move from one place to the next in search of food, which is one reason why you might take some time when tracking chimpanzees in Kibale National Park. There are also other primates you get to see when trekking, including blue monkeys, Lhoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and red-tailed monkeys, among others. Once you get to locate the chimpanzees, you will be able to see how they groom their young ones, search for food, breastfeed, play, and sometimes fight, as they rest and also protect their family. 

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale is safe with the safety measures that have been put in place by checking for any illegals at the park entrance, providing armed rangers, and experienced guides, and the trekking rules and regulations.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale starts early morning with a briefing and this is the best time to spot chimps de-nesting and moving through the trees as they start their day. This one hour is your chance to take photos and record of the chimpanzees in Kibale National Park but you also need to be able to follow all the rules and regulations for chimp trekking in Kibale which include the following.

Chimp trek rules and regulations in Kibale Forest National Park

The Uganda Wildlife Authority set up Chimpanzee trekking rules and regulations, and below are some of the rules and regulations that all trekkers should know and follow at all times.

• The minimum age of trekking chimpanzees is 12 years
• Keep 7 meters from the chimpanzees after locating them
• Always turn off your flash when taking photos of the chimpanzees.
• You have an hour with the chimpanzees and this can be reduced if the primates start acting up
• Never eat or drink when with the chimpanzees
• Avoid touching, feeding, and chasing the chimpanzees.
• When you feel like easing yourself, dig a 30cm hole and cover it up properly to avoid infections to the chimpanzees.
• Always stay with the group and do not wander off alone. There are other wildlife species in the national park, and you have to be extremely careful.
• Do not at any one point provoke or mimic the chimpanzees.
• Avoid putting on sunglasses when with the chimpanzees at all times.
• Trekkers with flu cough and diarrhea will not be allowed to track chimpanzees.
• No smoking when with the chimpanzees. Smoke greatly affects the chimpanzees and you will be checked for cigarettes before gaining access to the chimps and if you have any, they will be confiscated at the gate. 
• A maximum of 8 people are allowed to trek chimpanzees per session. The reason why the number is limited is because small crowds are easy to manage, they do not disorient the chimpanzees and it minimizes the spread of disease.

What to pack for a chimp trek in Kibale Forest National Park

• Long-sleeved shirts and trousers: The long-sleeved shirts and trousers should be in neutral colors of brown, khaki, or green to easily blend in with the forest during the trek. The colors that should be avoided include bright colors and blue. The extra layer on the clothes will keep you warm during the cold weather and prevent insect bites.
• Waterproof rain jacket: This should be brought for the treks in both the dry and wet seasons to protect you from the rain that can come at any time even during the dry season.
• Garden gloves: These protect your hands from tree scratches, itching hands, and blisters during the trek. This is a new environment, and you do not know what you will be holding onto during the tracking exercise.
• Hike boots: `These are extremely important because they help ease the trekking through the forest during the wet, muddy, and slippery times. The hike boots support your ankles, should be lightweight and easy to use, and also be waterproof.
• Camera: A camera is essential for a chimp trekking safari to take as many photos as you can. The camera should come with its requirements, including a tripod, extra lenses, and batteries. A camera that is easy to use is the best, especially the point and shoot, you should however turn off the flash when taking photos of the chimpanzees.
• Binoculars: This will help you spot wildlife that is far away, hidden in the forests, like bird species and other primates like blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys, among others.
• A walking stick: A walking stick is a necessity, and this will be provided if you need it. The national park has different terrain and this is where the walking stick comes in handy. It will help you stay on your feet without slipping, especially during the wet season.
• Insect repellent: Insect repellents help keep bugs away like tsetse flies, mosquitoes, and safari ants, among others.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat will help keep the sun rays away and protect your eyes from the strong light. You are however not allowed to put on sunglasses when with the chimpanzees because they show a reflection of the primates which might make them think that they are being attacked by another chimp.
• Snacks and refillable water bottle: Although you are not allowed to eat and drink when with the chimpanzees, you will need energy snacks to keep your energy levels up and a foldable refillable water bottle is the best to carry your drinking water.
• First aid kit: First aid kits are always available, but it doesn't hurt if you carry a fully stocked first aid kit with you to cater to the small accidents you might get on the way.

When to go for Chimp tracking in Kibale

Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park can be done any time of the year depending on when you wish to trek however the best time is during the dry season. The dry season is from June to September and December to February and this is also known as the peak season which has more tourists as compared to the wet season. It is easier to spot and track chimpanzees during the dry season because the vegetation is thin, and the trek routes are easy to use.

The wet season from March to May and October to November is also a good time to go for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, although the trek routes during this time are muddy, wet, and slippery. It is a good time to go for trekking if you are traveling on a budget.

Kibale Forest National Park is filled with tropical rainforests and the proximity of the equator in Uganda has seen a change in the weather conditions and you can still receive rainfall during the dry season and tourists are advised to be ready for any climatic changes when chimpanzees trek in Kibale.

For more info about the discounted chimp permits in Kibale Forest National Park, contact us at Encounter Africa Safaris or visit our website to book and purchase the chimpanzee permits and safari packages.