Chimpanzee tracking Kibale National Park; the park is located in Western Uganda, covering an area of 766 square kilometers. It was gazetted in 1932 and formally established in 1993 with the aim of protecting chimpanzees and other animals. It is also one of the last remaining expanses for both lowland and montane forests. Kibale Forest is considered home to 13 species of primates, which are chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkey, Red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabeys, potto, Demiddolf’s galago, Uganda red colobus, and Pattas.

Chimpanzees of Kibale

With over 1000 chimpanzees, of which 800 are habituated, it makes it a favorite spot for Tracking with tourists coming from all over the world to take a closer look at man’s closest cousins. It should be noted that chimpanzees share 98.7% of their DNA with humans, reasons such as to why they are referred to as man’s closest cousins. Did you know that chimpanzees are recognized as intelligent creatures? This is due to the fact that they adapt to the use of tools. common to humans, for example, nursing young ones, walking posture, and making umbrellas out of leaves, among others.

Where to track chimpanzees in Kibale

Chimpanzees can be tracked at two locations in Kibale: Buraiga and Kanyanchu. Tracking takes place both in the morning at 8:00 am and in the afternoon at 2:00 pm depending on the tourist’s schedule.

Rules and regulations governing tracking

Briefing

This briefing is a must for all trackers. This is conducted by the ranger guide at the tourism information center in Kanyanchu, and every tracker is requested by all the rules and regulations before they set off to the forest in search of man’s closest cousins.

Chimpanzee permits

This is one of the most recommended requirements for chimpanzee tracking and tourists. cannot do the tracking unless they have permits. This is booked by your tour operator through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)

Distance

While in the forest, all tourists are required to keep a 7-meter distance from the chimpanzees. Because coming closer to these chimpanzees, they may end up charging at you.

Time

You are required to spend one hour with the chimpanzees. It may look to be less time but coming close to these chimpanzees is one of the most thrilling and unforgettable experiences o a lifetime one should not miss on their visit to the Pearl of Africa.

Age

Tourists from 15 years and above are the only ones required to track chimpanzees. Therefore while making arrangements with your tour operator, it is always better to provide all the necessary information on the age of the clients

No use of flash photography

Tourists are requested not to use flash photography while taking pictures due to the fact that Chimpanzees may look at it as an attack from the enemy and end up charging at you.

No littering the park while doing chimpanzee tracking.

All garbage is supposed to be kept and disposed into the trash can

Tourists are grouped into small groups of 1-6. This is aimed at forest conservation and avoiding trampling you are not allowed to eat in the presence of chimpanzees you are not allowed to track chimpanzees if you have a cough or any other disease because Chimpanzees are close to humans and can catch human diseases.

When to visit

Kibale Forest National Park is open to tourists all year round so tourists can track these primates all year round.

Accessibility

It is a 6-7 hour drive from Entebbe International Airport to Kibale, about 326 kilometers another alternative is using the Mbarara route, a bit longer but worth it as tourists can make a stopover at Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

By Air

Scheduled or charter flights can be arranged from Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe International airport to Kasese airstrip and later transfer to the park by road