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Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park

Western Uganda is home to the 795km2 broad Kibale National Park. The park touches Kamwenge, Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Bunyangabu, and Kasese Districts and has lowland rainforest, woodland, shrub, grasslands, and wetland vegetation as its main features. The forest’s elevation ranges from a minimum of 1,100 meters above sea level in the south to 1,590 meters in the north. It was first designated as a forestry reserve in 1932 and subsequently as a national park in 1993. Kibale Forest has a humid subtropical climate with average annual rainfall of 1,700mm, daytime temperatures of 270C/810F and nighttime temperatures of 150C/590F. Dec-Feb, June, and July are the dry seasons, and Mar-May is when it rains lightly. The months of August through November get the heaviest rainfall, with some storms lasting several days. Around the Kibale forest, the average yearly temperature is 240 Celsius. No fewer than 350 luxuriant plant and tree species can thrive and survive thanks to the good weather and climatic circumstances, which also provide ideal conditions for a significant population of wildlife. Various animal species, including 13 primate species, more than 320 bird species, reptiles, insects, and many more, may be found in Kibale National Park. Because of its large chimpanzee population, ability to track them, and popularity of its safaris and expeditions, Kibale National Park earns a great reputation around the world.

What is chimpanzee trekking?

Chimpanzee trekking is an exciting outdoor activity involving groups of adventurers and travelers searching for habituated chimpanzee families while being escorted by forest rangers, porters, and guides.

Things to know about chimpanzee

Chimpanzee is an inhabitant of the wilderness who shares 98.7% of the DNA of the nearest living relative of humans. Black hair covers most of a chimpanzee’s body, with the exception of the face, hands, toes, and hindquarters. With five fingers and toes, chimpanzees have long arms and legs. Thumbs help with grasping and holding onto objects, using tools, and stabilizing movement when they are separated from other fingers and toes. Chimpanzees often knuckle walk, using both of their legs and arms. On rare occasions, chimpanzees carry, transport, deliver, or transfer objects while solely using their legs to move.

Behaviors

Chimpanzees are social creatures that live in groups that can contain 150 individuals and are led by an alpha male. In the mornings, they divided into smaller groups so they could more easily gather resources for survival. An authoritarian is the alpha guy. He oversees everyday tasks and assures community members’ safety as well as the group’s discipline, direction, and course of travel. The dominant male has exclusive rights to mating and feeding. At first daylight, chimpanzees leave their nests, go in search of food, and relocate to these places. At lunchtime, they take a nap, participate in battle drills and pretend conflicts, play games, guard, sentry, and patrol, and curdle and groom. They consume their final meal close to sunset before building their nests for the night. Except when a predator, thunderstorm, or wild bush fire poses a threat, they are relatively silent and passive at night. Chimpanzees are omnivores with a diverse range of food possibilities. The primary diet consists of fruits, plants, fresh vegetation, shoots, bark, rhizomes, root tubers, nuts, eggs, insects, and grasses. Chimpanzees hunt in packs, catching and eating small antelope, reptiles, birds, monkeys, and rodents in addition to catching fish in swamps, ponds, and shallow streams. The preferred natural environment of chimpanzees is a rainforest with lots of trees, which guarantees a steady supply of fruit. However, because they are adaptable, they also occasionally live in woodlands, grasslands, and visit marshes for supplies.

Threats

Chimpanzees are listed as Endangered because there are only an estimated 800 of them in the Budongo Forest Reserve and 180,000 to 250,000 on the entire planet. In the wild, chimpanzees can live for up to 35 years. In the wild, chimpanzees are preyed upon by lions, crocodiles, and leopards. Besides diseases, bushfires, and droughts, chimpanzees face other natural dangers. The biggest threats to chimpanzee existence continue to be humankind, illegal international wildlife traffickers, and the capturing of chimpanzees for zoos, movies, pets, and scientific research.Some indigenous community members trade in chimpanzee body parts for rituals and ceremonies, hunt chimpanzees for game meat, set bush fires that destroy their habitat while others poison, lay traps and kill chimpanzees that encroach on their farmlands. Chimpanzees contract human diseases and unnatural behaviors through uncontrolled human interactions, careless disposal of human waste, littering amongst others.

What is the difference between chimpanzees and humankind?

 Chimpanzees and humans share 98.7% of their DNA. Although they move more slowly than humans, chimpanzees can perform the majority of human tasks.  Chimpanzees share the same number and arrangement of molars, premolars, incisors, and canines that humans do.  Chimpanzees employ tools to do their task. Long sticks are dipped into water bodies to gauge depths, hard nuts are cracked with stones, and ants from anthills or beehives are scooped with sticks.  Chimpanzees are extremely social mammals that live in groups of linked extended families, just like humans. Depending on their age, gender, and abilities, each family member has a certain job to play.  Female chimpanzees typically give birth to a single child (twins are possible) every two years on average. At birth, the newborn lacks hair and relies entirely on its mother to provide mammary glands and warmth through nursing. Female chimpanzees alternate taking care of the young.  The same amount of senses are used by chimpanzees and humans. They have a forward-facing face, color vision, a strong sense of smell, and keen hearing.  Chimpanzees are highly intelligent, conscious, and capable thinkers. Although their brains are smaller than those of humans, they can recall yearly trends and events. Based on recent events, they decide on a path of action.  Chimpanzees share the same bones and muscles as humans in terms of their physical makeup.  If every member of the chimpanzee family is alive, attentive, and capable of communicating with others if they perceive a threat, then the family’s life and survival are conceivable. Chimpanzees schedule their group activities days in advance.  Chimpanzees use body language and motions that resemble human gestures to communicate. They extend their hand to make a request, shake hands, hug, kiss, whistle, hold hands, snuggle, and many other gestures.  Like people, chimpanzees exhibit emotions in response to the environment; they rejoice, feel delight, and express excitement when something special happens, such as a bountiful fruiting season, hearty meals, or the birth of young. When faced with danger, such as illness, fires, injuries, or sadness, they exhibit expressions of melancholy, empathy, or retaliation.  Chimpanzees mostly knuckle walk, using both of their legs and arms. Chimpanzees do, however, occasionally hold, transfer, carry, and walk solely on their legs.

What is the Best Time to go for Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest National Park?

The prevailing weather and climatic circumstances have a direct impact on trends of chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park. You should be aware that a number of variables, including season, altitude, strong winds, flora and plant cover, major water bodies, human activities, tropical sun, and location along the equator line, among others, affect the weather and climatic conditions at any given time. As a result, during the rainy season, it may be quite hot, and during the dry season, it may rain briefly.

Dry Season

The driest months of the year are December, January, and February. The earliest hours of the morning are the most popular periods for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, with daily average temperatures in June and July ranging from 150°C/590°F in the morning to 270°C/810°F in the afternoon. The dry season is an extremely competitive time for chimpanzee tracking and it is a preferred period. Permits for chimpanzee tracking and safari camps fill up quickly. In pursuit of food, chimpanzees travel farther into the woodlands.

Rain Season

The normal rainy months of March, April, and May are marked by showers interspersed with short intervals that occasionally last for several days. The months with the most rainfall are August, September, October, and November. The majority of the time, it rains heavily, creating mud pools, streams, and footbridges that are occasionally washed off. Chimpanzees go closer to trail systems, there is a lot of fresh food available, and there are mushrooming plants.

Guidelines to follow while trekking Chimpanzee in Kibale National park

 Purchase a trekking permit from a reputable travel agency. The permit includes information such as names, travel agencies, tracking dates and times, resident status, and fees paid.  On the day and time of trekking, assemble at the Kanyanchu visitor center on Fort Portal-Kamwenge Road.  There are two shifts for chimpanzee trekking: 8am and 12pm. One hour before to the start of the exercise, report to your assigned shift.  Visitors can spend the entire day interacting with chimpanzees thanks to chimpanzee habituation, which runs from 7am to 6pm.  Declare your health status, confirm your reservation, and make any necessary preparations.  Chimpanzee trekking is only permitted for those who are at least 15 years old.  Rangers divide guests into groups of six and appoint a forest ranger guide, escorts, and porters to each group.  Carry a lunchbox and 2 liters of water or non-alcoholic beverages.  Chimpanzee tracking is a cooperative endeavor. Within the forest, stick together.  Be considerate to the forest guides and keep your voice down.  Avoid eating, drinking, and smoking near chimps.  Practice good hygiene. Spit not in the woods. Requesting authorization for nature’s calls  Don’t leave trash in the park. Throw away any non-recyclable materials in designated areas  Depending on the terrain, visitors may spend an hour or less interacting with chimpanzees.  As a safety measure, estimate and restrict the distance between chimpanzees to 8 meters.  Turn down the camera’s light and loud clicks since they annoy the chimpanzee.  Turn off GPS on electronic devices before entering a forest  Do not mimic chimps, display body language, or change your posture suddenly. When chimpanzees feel threatened or uneasy, they will retaliate violently.  Use proper clothing that is suited to the weather when following chimpanzees.  Chimpanzee tracking takes, on average, four hours of work. Try to only bring what you absolutely need into the wilderness. Utilize porters for a nominal price to fully experience the adventure.

How to dress up for Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest National Park

Nobody has ever been stopped from finishing the chimpanzee trekking excursion due to improper attire. The chimpanzee trekking excursion, however, may be made easier and the adventurers might have incredible wilderness experiences with a pre-planned clothing code. The following are important considerations for attire: the weather and climatic conditions, including rainfall, tropical sun, plant and vegetation cover (some plants are thorny, poisonous, and smell bad), other resident wildlife species, including biting, stinging, and crawling insects, charging buffalos, in the forest, and the forest’s natural terrain, including rivers and streams, steep hills and slopes, marshy areas, and swamps. Pack outfit sets that are appropriate for the aforementioned environmental factors and situations.  Face masks  Hand garden gloves  Light Rain gear, poncho  Sun glasses appropriate in dry season  Strong stockings  Long sleeved safari shirts, blouses, jumpers and tops preferably in dull colors  Safari trousers in Khaki, jeans or track suits in dull colors  Water proof hiking boots, rubber boots  Elderly and disabled visitors may need a walking stick; can improvise on site  Head gear,round hat, cap, head scarf  May need changing clothes in any color, design for onward safaris  Warm clothing; light in dull colors

What to carry along while trekking Chimps in Kibale National Park

The gear that explorers bring on chimpanzee trekking tour could make the excursion an unforgettable one. In order to make the adventure incredibly entertaining, consider utilizing all accessible options.  Camera  Back pack  Water bottle  Rechargeable camera batteries  Binoculars  Simple personal first aid items  Phone charger  Food box  Strong rechargeable flash light  Field guide book, note book, pencil, pen, eraser  Compass  Map

Accommodation in Kibale forest national Park

The premium safari camp Primate Lodge is at a short distance from the Kanyanchu visitor center. It makes a great starting point or ending point for chimpanzee tracking expeditions in Kibale National Park. The woodland boundaries of the Bigodi, Nkingo, and Isunga neighborhood are littered with numerous safari camps and hotels. The following names for accommodations are available: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Kibale Forest Camp, Kibale Safari Lodge, Rweteera Safari Park, Isunga Lodge, Kibale Guest Cottages, Crater Safari Lodge, Nkuruba Nature Reserve. Fort Portal City and Kamwenge Town are a short distance apart and have access to all types of urban lodging. The well regarded and conveniently located Kyaninga Safari Lodge, Mountains of the Moon, Ndali Lodge, Aramaga Safari Camp, and a few more provide safari camp experiences.

How to get to Kibale forest National Park?

You can access Kibale forest national park through Mityana and Mubende, 320 kilometers (4 hours) of driving from Kampala, is the easiest route to the Kanyanchu tourist center and Kibale National Park. The closest visible metropolitan center is Fort Portal City, located in the Ruwenzori Mountains’ foothills. Kanyanchu is reachable from western Uganda by the routes of Mbarara, Kasese, and Fort Portal or Mbarara, Ibanda, and Kamwenge. The Masindi, Hoima, Kyenjojo, and Fort Portal routes are used by travelers from northern Uganda. Private charter flights are permitted from the airports in Kasese and Fort Portal cities.

Optional activities to do while In Kibale National park

Birding

Along with chimpanzees, Kibale Forest is also home to 12 other primate species, stunning butterflies, different tree species, and diverse vegetation. For those with sharp sight, the forest is so lovely that it tempts them to explore and piques their curiosity. Opportunities exist for both quick, hour-long strolls and lengthy, multi-day hikes.

Bigodi wildlife sanctuary

This is a marsh bordered by swamp vegetation that is part of the Kibale forest. Several stunning wildlife species that are uncommonly seen on chimpanzee tracking expeditions in the forest can be found in the swamp. The trip through the sanctuary offers a chance to connect, converse, and exchange life experiences with other communities.

Forest walk

In addition to chimpanzees, the Kibale forest is home to 12 other primate species, lovely butterflies, several tree species, and vegetation. Adventurers’ acute eyes are drawn to the forest’s beauty, which piques their interest and tempts them to explore. There are options for both quick, hour-long strolls and longer, multi-day hikes.

Crater lake and Tea estate

Thousands of years ago, there was intense volcanic activity in the Kasenda region near Kibale forest. Beautiful craters, crater lakes, and other volcanic terrain features may be seen all across the region. The tea estate tour offers visitors the chance to learn about tea cultivation, maintenance, harvesting, and processing.

Community tour

Indigenous groups living around Kibale forest include the Batoro and Bakiga. In their own unique ways, the local communities’ ways of life, garb, homestead setup, rituals and ceremonies, traditional meals, hand tools, and arts and crafts are all tourist attractions. Visitors to indigenous villages describe their unique life experiences there.

Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru

This is a geographical feature created by volcanic and tectonic forces. For the native Batoro people, the caverns hold significant cultural value.

Royal Palace Tour

In Toro Kingdom is Kibale National Park. A cultural King who oversees the kingdom’s traditional and cultural roles. Visitors can get a closer look at the Batoro people’s customary ways of life by taking a tour of the King’s palace in

Why make a reservation with Rashfatrackingsafaris for Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest National Park?

Rashfatrackingsafaris has experience of planning incredible trips to Uganda,and Rwanda but we have now expanded to include safaris in Kenya and Tanzania. If contacted, a member of our staff will assist in giving you reliable information as soon as possible. For a customized Chimpanzee trekking tour to Kibale Forest National Park, visit our website at http://www.rashfatrackingsafaris.com or Email us at [email protected]