Chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda
Chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda; chimpanzee habituation experience is the process where the wild chimpanzees are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda is only done in Kibale forest national park and it takes a period of 2 o 3 years to be complete. Kibale forest national park also known as the primate capital is located in western part of Uganda and it’s famously known for harboring 13 primate species and about 1,500 chimpanzees, other primates like black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, olive baboons among others.
Chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale forest national park starts very early in the morning at around 6:00 am or 6:30 am with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations at Kanyachu park headquarters. After the briefing, you will be allocated an experienced park guide, park rangers and start trekking in the forest which takes a whole day. During the habituation experience, you will be able to view other primates like grey cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, view different tree species, colorful butterflies, listen to variety of bird species among others. Once the chimpanzees are found, you will be able to spend four hours with them in their natural habitat where you will be able to learn and monitor their behaviors, learn how to identify different chimpanzees, watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, patrolling, hunting, copulating, breastfeeding, resting, take pictures of chimpanzees doing different activities among others.
Best time to go for chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda
Chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda can be done anytime throughout the year though the best period is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February because during this time there is less rainfall in the park therefore chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable.
Chimpanzee habituation experience can also be done in the rainy season during the months of March to May and October to November because during this period there are plenty of fruits for the chimpanzees due to the rain which makes trekking easy hence chimpanzees will easily be located without trekking in the forest for long.
Cost of a chimpanzee habituation permit in Uganda
A chimpanzee habituation is a legal card that is issued to visitors above the age of 15 years allowing them to engage in chimpanzee habituation experience and spend four hours with the chimpanzees. A chimpanzee habituation permit in Kibale forest national park costs 250 USD per person for foreign non residents, 200 USD per person for foreign residents and 200,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
How to book a chimpanzee habituation permit in Uganda
Chimpanzee habituation permits in Uganda can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or they can be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the date, month and year when you wish to engage in the habituation experience. After contacting us we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available on your preferred dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the money, we will acquire the permit on your behalf.
Booking chimpanzee habituation permits through Achieve Global Safaris is however the best option to use in that we will save you the hustle and also help you plan for your entire safari which includes accommodation, transportation to Kibale forest national park, recommend other activities to engage in after chimpanzee habituation experience and other destinations to visit during your safari.
What to pack for chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda
There are a number of essential items that you should pack for your chimpanzee habituation safari in Kibale forest national park for example long sleeved shirt and trouser to keep you warm and protect your skin from thorny bushes, insect repellent to protect you from biting insects, waterproof rain jacket to protect you from rainfall as Kibale forest national park is a tropical rainforest hence it can rain at any time of the year, warm sweater, hiking shoes to keep your feet dry and protect your ankles, long cotton socks, bottled drinking water, camera and extra batteries to take photos and record videos, a pair of binoculars, walking stick to give you support during trekking, waterproof back pack to carry your trekking items among others.
Chimpanzee habituation is an extra ordinary experience in Uganda that can be combined with other activities in Murchison falls national park including boat cruise to the bottom of the falls, game drive, Nile delta boat cruise, hot air balloon experience, bird watching, top of the falls drive, chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest among others. Do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris for more information or to book an affordable safari package.
