What to do and see in Kaniyo Pabidi

What to see and do in Kaniyo Pabidi forest is mainly chimpanzee trekking but the forest hosts a number of other wildlife in habitants. Beyond Kaniyo Pabidi forest, there are activities you can add to what to do in this forest that is activities in Murchison Falls National Park.

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Kaniyo Pabidi is situated 8 Kilometers from the Kicubanyimbo gate of Murchison Falls National Park. it is a tropical forest that is home to a number of primates, birds and others inhabitants especially those that cross for Murchison Falls National Park.

Activities To Do And What To See In Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

Chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee trekking is the main activity in Kaniyo Pabidi forest. A community of chimpanzees is fully habituated and open to the public. The management of Kaniyo Pabidi forest chimpanzee community is under the Jane Goodall care that is CSWCT. Every participant is required to have a chimpanzee trekking permit to be given access to this activity. Chimpanzees trekking is either in the morning or afternoon.

Chimpanzees have about 98% humans DNA and this brings them close to being human’s closest relatives. Their life in the jungle is quite different from those that live in confinement and when you finally locate the chimpanzees, they continue doing their day today activities including feeding, napping, playing and others. Try not to provoke the chimpanzees be with the leadership of the alpha male they can charge or run into hiding.

One hour is allowed with the chimpanzees in the wilderness as a conservation measure to protect them from the possible effects of mass tourism. The presence of the humans intercepts the daily life of the chimpanzees which have to search for own meals to enjoy for the day.

It is best to abide by chimpanzee trekking rules to avoid chances of agitating the chimpanzees. When the chimpanzees charge, they hoot, walks on one leg, pull grass around them and much more. Upon seeing some odd behavior amongst the mountain gorillas, donot panic but wait for the ranger guide to establish the route cause of the matter follow the new instructions given by the ranger guides.

Birding In Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

The birding experience in Kaniyo Pabidi forest is great with several species you may get chance to see. Kaniyo Pabidi forest is home to mainly forest birds including Albertine rift endemics. It is best to start the birding experience in this forest early before they disperse into the forest. Some of the residents of Kaniyo Pabidi forest include silverbird, black headed Gonolek, Blue naped Mousebird and others.

Nature walks in Kaniyo Pabidi forest

A guided walk into Kaniyo Pabidi forest is rewarding to those who wish to make peace with nature. On the way, you may encounter other primates including blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons and other. Botanists have a number of natural trees to identify in this forest during the nature forest. Other animals that come from Murchison Falls National Park may be spotted in the forest during the walk, cross a number of streams with in the forest and others.

Other activities to do In Beyond Kaniyo Pabidi forest                

Activities to do in Murchison Falls National

Game drives

Murchison Falls National Park is home to a number of wild animals which you may spot during the game drives on the tracks around the park. The early morning or late afternoon game drive on the tracks of Murchison Falls National Park are more rewarding. The Buligi track goes through a grassland area where more Uganda kobs can be spotted and lions prowl this area to prey on them.

While on a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, you may spot animals including herds of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, oribi, waterbucks, hartebeests, bushbucks, hyenas, leopards, warthogs and others.

Launch trip to Murchison Falls

The launch trip to Murchison Falls is amazing as this is the banks of River Nile are a wildlife spectacle in this park. A number of animals often make there way to the riverine to quench thirst or enjoy a bath during a hot day. River Nile bisects Murchison Falls National Park and multitudes of hippos and serried crocodiles find comfort in the waters of this river.

As you draw closer to the location of Murchison Falls, the boat turbulence changes and a foamy appearance shows up, you hear a thundering sound produced by the falls before finally facing the falls.

As the Murchison Falls come into view, you get to watch River Nile water vigorously burst out through the narrow bend and cascade the 43 meters deep gorge to the bottom of the cliff before continuing calmly with the course. Donot try to get out of your boat at this point because it is dangerous and the water currency is very high.

Hike To the top of the falls

Get to the point where the source of the River Nile drama is generated. River Nile flows 80 kilometers of white water rapids over a bed of embedded rock then push through the 6 meter wide gorge to burst out violently producing a thundering sound.

Getting closer to this point may stimulate some adrenaline and not for the faint hearted but worth the experience.

Sports fishing in Murchison Falls National Park

Sports fishing in Murchison Falls National Park is a great experience for anglers wishing to enjoy some adventure. You need to secure a sports fishing permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority, a boat with its captain to use during the time at the fishing point

Carry own fishing equipment to feel comfortable when doing the fishing safari experience. Some of the fish species you may get chance to see include tilapia, Nile Perch, Cat Fish, lung Fish, Mud Fish and others.

Birding in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is birder’s haven with more than 350 bird species identified as residents. The huge bird list in Murchison Falls National Park is attributed the abundant wildlife and stunning landscape that forms the park.

Some of the birds in Murchison Falls National Park include black headed Gonolek, Vitelline Masked  Weaver, Green winged Pytilia, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Standard winged Nightjar and others. 

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Along the way from or to Kaniyo Pabidi forest, you may make a detour to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary where Rhinos are being re-introduced in Uganda. The Rhinos that lived in Uganda were hunted down by poachers for traditional beliefs and endless civil wars that affected the country then. So far the progress is going well with some new births registered over time.

When you visit Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, you contribute to the funds that are used to run the affairs of the sanctuary.

When is the best time to Do a Safari to Kaniyo Pabidi forest

The best time to do a safari in Kaniyo Pabidi forest is the dry season which is June to September and December to January . The environment around the forest in this season favors most of the on ground activities even through beyond the forest. Even though it is s natural tropical rain forest with a dense canopy, tourists get to explore the forest faster and most forest dweller as quicker to spot.

The dry season being the peak tourism season in Uganda means more tourists booking the few chimpanzee permits open to the public, in case a visit to Kaniyo Pabidi forest is part of the activities you hope to do, ensure to reserve the chimpanzee permit as soon as possible.

The wet season is open for a tour to Kaniyo Pabidi forests but expect the chimpanzees to spend most of there time up in the trees. Chimpanzees are afraid of water yet the ground is often soft and wet in this season. The wet season is around March to May and November when more rains are expected in the park.

If you have a limited budget but wish to visit Kaniyo Pabidi forest and beyond for a safari, you may take advantage of the possible discounts offered by some service providers in this season including accommodations discounts and others.

How Safe Is Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

Kaniyo Pabidi forest is safe to visit because on ground there are ranger guides who are present to monitor the security of the forest, its dwellers and visitors. The rangers coordinate security matters with other Uganda security agencies to main law and order in and around the park.

On ground there are chimpanzee trekking rules expected to be followed by every tourist. Briefing before the chimpanzee trekking safari in Kaniyo Pabidi forest is a must attend for all participants. During briefing, tourist go through the rules of chimpanzee trekking including no feeding the chimpanzees, provoking the chimpanzees and others.

Even though the chimpanzees are habituated, they still posses there natural traits so expect them to display some mood swings. When you notice some odd behavior amongst the chimpanzees, do not panic but wait for the ranger guide to find a solution on how to curb the situation without escalating the situation. Follow the new instructions given by the ranger guide even if it means showing submissions or pretending to chew foliage.

Security starts with you so try not to engage in unlawful activities while on a visit to Kaniyo Pabidi forest and beyond. Do not move in the forest with your valuables especially those you are afraid of losing because tracing them may be quite hard.

Is The Visit To Kaniyo Pabidi Forest Worth Taking

A visit to Kaniyo Pabidi forest is worth taking as it is an opportunity to be with the chimpanzees in there free space. Chimpanzees elsewhere live in cages and are influenced by human care whereas in the wilderness they have to take self-care.

When you purchase a chimpanzee trekking permit, you get the chance to support the conservation of chimpanzees that are some of the endangered primates in the world. From Kaniyo Pabidi forest, you can catch up with safari activities in Murchison Falls National Park including game drives, launch trips, sports fishing and others.

How to get to Kaniyo Pabidi forest

From Kampala the distance to Murchison Falls National Park is 305 kilometers then from Kicumbanyonbo gate Kaniyo Pabidi forest is 8 kilometers.

You can also get into Murchison Falls National Park using charter flights or schedule domestic flights from Kajjansi or Entebbe international Airport.

What To Pack For A Visit To Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

• Safari boots to cover your feet from getting hurt while trekking to find the chimpanzees.
• Some warmers as it gets so cold early morning and late afternoon
• Energy bites to reenergize during the breaks as you trek to find the chimpanzees.
• Waterproof backpack to carry with during the Uganda safari and in case you need to hand them over to a porter.
• Garden gloves to cover your palms when you tripe and fall while in the wilderness.
• Safari hat to protect your head from buzzing insects in the wilderness.
• Insect repellant to keep away insects that may sting you when you are in the wilderness.
• A pair of stockings to tack in your clothes and protect yourself from insects that may creep into them.
• Sunglasses to cover your eyes from insects that buzz in the wilderness.
• A torch as most lodges use solar energy for lighting which is dependant on how strong the sunlight is for the day.
• A camera to keep memories of the chimpanzees safari in Kaniyo Pabidi forest with its unique sceneries.
• Some cash in case you need to do on ground purchases
• Flip flops to change into after the walk in the jungle to find the chimpanzees
• Travel adopter and charger in case your gadgets need to be recharged. Having your own saves you from having to wait for another person to charge.
• Duffel bag to carry in your belongings and you need to pack relevantly and light in case you have to off load and carry your own bags.
• First aid kit with emergency medication. The wilderness has some inhabitants that may harm you when you least expect and rough surfaces too.
• Toiletries in case your lodge doesn’t provide any
• Light shoe bag for your shoes in case you clean then and they do not get dry by the time of your departure.
• Sun glasses to protect your eyes from buzzing insects that live within the forest

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