Chimpanzee Trekking and Habituation in Kibale Forest
Kibale Forest is one of the few places where you can enjoy both chimpanzee trekking and the chimpanzee habituation experience. While chimpanzee trekking allows you to spend one hour with the chimps after finding them, the habituation experience offers the chance to spend a full day with these amazing animals as they become accustomed to human presence—a process that takes about two years.
Best Time for Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee tracking and habituation are available year-round, but the best time to visit is during the rainy season. While it might be muddy, the forests are lush and full of fruit, making it easier to spot chimpanzee communities. During the dry season, chimps tend to venture deeper into the forest in search of food, making tracking more challenging.
Booking Your Chimpanzee Permit
Chimpanzee permits should be booked well in advance, as there is a daily limit on how many visitors can join each session—usually 6 people per community. Chimpanzee tracking begins with a briefing from a guide, and visitors must always be accompanied by a park ranger or guide, who knows how to locate the chimpanzee communities. Chimps in habituated groups are often familiar with the guides, which helps put them at ease around visitors.
Tracking is available in both morning and afternoon sessions, but the chimps are most active in the mornings as they head out to feed and hunt. In the afternoons, they tend to rest and groom each other, offering a different but equally fascinating experience.
What to Expect on Your Chimpanzee Trek
On your chimpanzee trek, you’ll be escorted by armed rangers who protect you from potential wildlife encounters with buffaloes or elephants. The guides usually start the trek by looking for signs of where the chimps built their nests the previous night. Chimpanzees are loud and active, making them easier to track compared to gorillas, which are more quiet.
Once located, you may need to follow the chimps for some time as they move through the forest. Be patient, as they may remain in the trees for a while before coming down to the ground. When they do descend, you’ll have great opportunities to take photos and observe their individual personalities.
For more information about the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, visit our website here.
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