Are you planning a trip and you are not sure of the time you spend with the primates while on your visit? Most travelers’ expectations are to see the chimpanzees in their natural habitat and interact with them, your dream will come true when you visit the chimpanzees in Kibale forest National Park. Chimpanzees are among the endangered species in the world, Kibale National park is referred to as the Primate capital having about 20 primate species which is the highest density in all of Africa. Chimpanzees are the second famous primates after the Mountain Gorillas, and they also have 95% human DNA.

About Kibale National Park

Kibale Forest National Park is one of the best chimpanzee safari destination in Africa to visit the chimpanzees in their natural environment.  The forest is located in western Uganda covering the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjonjo, Kamwenge and Kyegegwa. Kibale forest national park is a tropical forest and is a habitat of number of forest wildlife, about 1500 chimpanzees, bird species, Tree species, reptiles, Monkeys, butterflies, Mammals and other wildlife. The road trip from Kampala/Entebbe is about 4-5hours drive. Kibale national park has contributed immensely to the tourism industry in Uganda through primate tourism and cultural experiences as leading activities.

Visiting Chimpanzees is the biggest pull factor for Kibale forest national park with chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation as the most participated in activities. The park is under the management of Uganda wildlife Authority. Chimpanzee permits are very essential to determine how many hours you will spend with the chimpanzees in Kibale forest national park. Contact Encounter Africa safaris to tailor your interest into a memorable experience on your chimpanzee safari to Kibale forest national park.  We do provide adequate information to travelers on chimpanzee permits, trekking, habituation, Uganda general travel information and alternative activities in Kibale National Park.

How many hours can you spend with the chimpanzees in Kibale forest National Park?

Selecting between chimpanzee trekking activity and chimpanzee habituation activity will determine the time you spend with the chimpanzee while visiting them in their natural environment. If you are interested in chimpanzee trekking, you will be allowed one hour of viewing the chimps once you find them in the forest. One hour is allocated to view and take photography of habituated chimpanzee communities in Kibale forest National Park.

You can as well spend four amazing hours with the chimpanzees in Kibale forest National Park. This time is benefits travelers interested in participating in chimpanzee Habituation experience. Here, you will visit the chimpanzee community that is under the process of habituation with researchers, guides and rangers as they make effort for the chimpanzees to get used to humans. The chimps can seem wild, hide and run away for the visitors, but once you meet them you will observe the way they feed, move, and live in communities and their interaction. You are allowed four hours of viewing and taking photographs in the forest.

What is the cost of chimpanzee permits for Kibale forest National Park?

The chimpanzee permits is very essential for your visit to see the chimpanzees in Kibale forest national park. The permit you opt to purchase will also determine the hour’s one can spend with the chimpanzees in their natural environment while on visit. The chimpanzee permits are sold at the offices of the Uganda wildlife Authority and the permit price is inclusive of the entrance fees and guiding fees.

According to the UWA-Tariff for 2020-2021, The chimpanzee habituation permit for Kibale forest national park costs USD250 per person Non-Foreign Residents, USD250 Per person Foreign Residents and Uganda shillings 200,000 for East African Citizens, This chimpanzee habituation permit allows you to view and stay with the chimpanzees for four hours as you move with them, observe the way they feed, live and communicate. It is an experience conducted by the Researchers and Forest guides.

The chimpanzee Trekking permit is issued to those interested to see the chimpanzees that are already used to people and only allows one hour of viewing and staying with the chimpanzee once you find them. This permit costs USD 200 per person Non-Foreign Residents, USD150 Per person Foreign Residents and Uganda shillings 150,000 per person for East African Citizens. There are three sessions for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park Namely; Morning session that starts at 8:00am, Mid-morning session that starts at Mid-day and the afternoon session that starts at 2pm through put the year.

The chimpanzee habituation and chimpanzee trekking start early morning with a briefing about the dos and don’ts at the forest headquarters, you are later grouped in groups of members each with Park guides, Rangers who lead you to the forest for your chimpanzee experience. The trek takes 30 minutes to hours, depending on the movement of the chimpanzees. Once the chimps are found you will stay for one hour or four hours with these amazing creatures to watch them eating, resting and playing. The trek gives of chances of viewing other primates, reptiles and mammals like the forest Elephants depending on your luck.

How to book chimpanzee permits for Kibale forest National Park?

You will be required to book and secure your permit to confirm a spot to spend time with the chimpanzees in Kibale forest National Park. The process of booking the chimpanzee permits is very easy with Encounter Africa safaris throughout the year, Once you send contact us about your interest to trek the chimps and your preferred travel dates, We shall check availability of permits and confirm if permits are there or even advise a change of dates to get the permits, We shall then send you a permit payment invoice where you can opt to make payment by Credit bank or by Bank. Once we receive Payment we shall secure your permits and send you a copy of the scanned receipt for your records and Perusal. Book your chimpanzee permits for your special dates like Wedding anniversary, birthday, honeymoon or family Vacations for a great primate experience. These permits tend to sell out quickly during the high season and we always recommend booking and securing permits as early as possible.

Why book chimpanzee trip to Kibale forest National Park?

The chimpanzee permits are relatively cheap compared to the gorilla permits that cost USD700 for trekking and USD1500 per person for gorilla habituation experience. The cost gives you an opportunity to visit one the most amazing primates in the world second to the gorillas. Kibale having about 1500 chimpanzees gives you 99% chance of seeing the chimps in the forest.

How can one access Kibale forest National Park?

Kibale forest national park can be accessed by road as it only 4-5 hours’ drive from Kampala/Entebbe. The road trip takes you through the beautiful scenery of western Uganda, the plantations and the hospitable Uganda people. Our road trips start early morning at 8:00am to beat off traffic and arrive in the afternoon at your booked hotel/camp/lodge.

You can as well fly to Kasese Airstrip and then access Kibale forest national park with in 2hours and less tiring than a road trip. There are daily domestic flights to Kasese Airstrips in Queen Elizabeth national park, Aerolink Uganda operates Morning and afternoon flights to Kasese Airstrip from Entebbe international Airport, considering your itinerary you can opt for chattered or scheduled flights to see the chimpanzees in Kibale forest National Park.

Where can one stay to see the Chimpanzees in Kibale forest National Park?

Kibale forest national park has a number of choices for you to select where to stay, there are number of options ranging from budget to Luxury lodges, all with a service worth your money paid. Most of the loges are found in the out skirts of the forest which cottages having views to the forest or crater lakes and you will have to drive a few minutes to the park headquarters. You can stay at Ndali lodge, Crater safari lodge, Kyaninga lodge and Papaya as luxury options, then Primate Lodge and Turaco tree tops for midrange option, you can stay chimpanzee forest guest house, Isunga lodge for budget clients.  There is also an option of staying in hotel is Fort portal town which is the most close town to Kibale forest.

Why book with Encounter Africa safaris to see the chimpanzees in Kibale forest National Park                                                                                                       

Encounter Africa safaris started is experienced in organizing amazing experiences to Uganda and Rwanda but have now expended to offer safaris to Tanzania, Kenya and D R Congo. For the last ten years, we have overtime assembled a team mixed with young and energetic staff guided by well experienced mature managers and directors who are Ugandans and passionate about what they do. If contacted, one of our staff will assist in providing accurate and timely information that you can rely on within the Five Minutes. Encounter Africa Safaris is highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor and safari bookings, Visit our Website for a tailored trip advising you how you can spend time which the chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park.