Kibale National Park Tours Uganda Chimpanzee Tracking Expedition Africa
February 27, 2008
Around the park:
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience:
This allows you to follow the park’s researchers as they follow the Chimpanzees during their normal activities in order to interact with human beings.
Here you may experience the real life of the chimpanzees as well as seeing their nests. The experience of the Habituation usually occurs in the season of March, April, May and November, when tourists are few.
The chimpanzees come out from their nests at around 5:30-06:30, then go back for the night at around 19:00.
Primate walk:
The walk starts from Kanyanchu visitor centre at 8:00 and ends at 15:00, which might take almost 2-3 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are. Other primates may include the red tailed monkey, grey checked mangabey, black and white Colobus. However, visitors are more interested in the chimpanzees since they are the most sought after.
The walk is 6 persons per group, with your guide who will take time to explain the traditional uses of some plant and bird species in the forest.
Its essential to book in advance during the peak seasons.
Kanyanchu River Camp:
The camp hosts a variety of activities, which include the common chimpanzee tracking.
Since 1991, a group of chimpanzees has been habituated and chances of locating them are indeed very good with the help of a forest guide.
Forest hike:
The 12m hike is restricted to only dry months of November-February and June-September. The hike passes through the tropical rainforests grassland.
Forests, Swamps and Riverine Forests:
During the hike, you will have a chance of seeing the duiker and bushbuck as well as a number of primates and a variety of bird species.
The walk starts from Kanyanchu Visitor Centre at 8:00 and ends around 14:00at the Elephant wallow.
Sebitoli Forest Camp:
Sebitoli is situated 12km from the town of Fort Portal, along the Kampala Fort Portal road. With a semi-closed canopy in the moist evergreen forest of stratified tree crowns, you will be able to view a variety of birds as well as a number of primates.
Kihingani Wetland:
These are nature walks outside the National parks near Sebitoli in the Kihingani wetland. Here you will have a chance of viewing a variety of bird species.
Cultural Heritage:
Cultural Heritage and Nature Trail:
The complete trail takes 2-6 days either starting or ending at Kanyanchu or Sebitoli.
During the day, the trail is conducted while during the night; you sleep in the campsites near the community villages of Nyakalongo, Nyaibanda and Kikoni. This gives you an opportunity to interact with the Bakiga and Batoro cultures.
Children’s Activities:
Children who are not allowed to view the chimpanzees (13 years and below), can as well stay and enjoy educational forest walks for 1-2 hours, with trained ranger guides. The children may learn the ecosystem and the forest inhabitants followed by a short interesting walk. Other activities include; batik making, cyanotype pond dipping and photography.
Bigodi wetland Sanctuary:
The Sanctuary is found in Magombe Swamp outside the park’s boundaries.
It offers you a chance to view common primates like the chimpanzee, black and white Colobus, red tailed monkey and red Colobus.
Among the mammals include the bushbuck, otter, mongoose and the sitatunga.
While on the broad walk trail and open plat forms, you can view a variety of bird species.
The Sanctuary is a community-based initiative aimed at conserving the wetland values and the surrounding environment.
Chimpanzee tracking Rues and Guides:
§ Never eat near the chimps.
§ Children of 12 years and below are not allowed to view the chimps.
§ Flash photography is not allowed.
§ Never scare the chimps.
§ Never enter the park without a Guide.
§ Never enter the forest if you are sick especially with flu, since you may spread the disease to the chimps.
§ Keep a distance of about 8 metres away from the chimps.
What to bring:
Warm clothings, camera, binoculars, hat, mosquito repellent enclosed shoes, rain gear since mornings and evenings may be cool.
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