Chimpanzee Families in Kibale Forest National Park

Chimpanzees live in large families known as communities that usually consist of about 50 to 150 members. Leadership among chimpanzee families is a hierarchy where a family is led by a dominant male Chimpanzee. Kibale Forest National Park is home to over 150 chimpanzee individuals, thus making it the primate capital of the world, including six other 6 endemic primate species. Kibale Forest National Park boasts a variety of chimpanzee Families that can be seen by travellers on a chimpanzee trekking safari, which includes the following.

Kanyantale Family: This is a large group consisting of about 90 fully habituated chimpanzee individuals located in the Kanyanchu area. Kanyantale Faily has been open for chimpanzee trekking since 1993 and is one of the most Visited chimpanzee communities in Kibale National Park.

Kanywara Family: This consists of about 60 Chimpanzees headed by Kanywara, the dominant male, located in the northwestern part of Kibale Forest National Park. The Kanywara Family consists of fully habituated individuals and is fully open for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park.

Sebitoli Family: Located in the Northern part of Kibale Forest National Park, headed by the dominant male Sebitoli. This Chimpanzee Family is primarily used for research and, therefore, not open for chimpanzee trekking.

Ngogo Family: Headed by Ngogo, the dominant male, and consists of a large community of Chimpanzees, close to about 150 chimpanzee individuals. The Ngogo Family features in the “Chimps Empire” on Netflix details the behaviours, way of life and Hierarchy system of leadership among chimpanzees.

Magezi Family: This community consists of about 120 chimpanzee individuals headed by Magezi, the dominant male. This family is characterised by wise and peaceful individuals, thus the name magezi, which means wisdom. The Magezi Family is fully habituated and fully open for Chimpanzee trekking for travellers wishing to visit chimpanzees in their natural Habitat.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale National Park is home to about 1000 habituated chimpanzee individuals who are open to chimpanzee trekking activities in the park. Imagine getting up close with the majestic chimpanzees in their natural habitats. Chimpanzee trekking is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that creates beautiful, unforgettable memories.

The chimpanzee trekking process includes a briefing, rules and regulations to have a successful chimpanzee trekking experience. Upon arrival at the Kanyanchu Visitor’s Information Centre, tourists are taken through a briefing by the park rangers that details the rules and regulations while observing the chimps in their natural habitat. After the briefing, you shall be divided into groups of 12 pax per chimpanzee family and later embark on a thrilling chimpanzee trekking experience through the lush forests of Kibale, where you shall be able to spot other primate species, including L’Hoest Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Black and white colobus Monkeys, red-tailed colobus Monkeys, African Forest elephants and other wildlife species.

On meeting the chimpanzees, you shall be granted one full hour of experience while observing the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The guide will teach you about their way of life and behaviours. Later, you shall head back to the starting point, where you will be awarded a chimpanzee trekking certificate by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Optional Chimpanzee Habituation

Chimpanzee Habituation is a process of introducing Human beings to the presence of Chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Travellers doing a chimpanzee habituation experience are granted 4 full hours of experience as they research and study the way of life of these chimpanzees. Chimpanzee Habituation Experience is one of the conservation activities and is only done in Kibale National Park.

How Much is a chimpanzee trekking Permit in Kibale National Park?

A chimpanzee trekking permit is a document that is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, allowing Tourists to track the chimpanzees during a Uganda Safari. A chimpanzee trekking permit is more affordable to all travellers planning a Chimpanzee trekking safari compared to a gorilla trekking permit.

A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale Forest National Park costs USD 250 (for Foreign Non-Residents), USD 200 (for Foreign Residents) and UGX 180,000 (for East African Citizens). For travellers interested in Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, a Chimpanzee Habituation permit is required, which costs USD 300 (for Foreign Non-Residents), USD 250 (for Foreign Residents) and UGX 250,000 (for East African Citizens).

Other Tourist Activities in Kibale Forest National Park

Bird Watching: Biding in Kibale National Park is one of the best-done activities in Kable National where a birder on a Uganda safari can spot a variety of different bird species including the African Grey Parrot, Blue Turaco, Great Blue Turaco, Black-billed Turaco, White-naped Pigeon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Shinning Blue Kingfisher, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Black-crowned Crane, Red-chested Cuckoo, African Crowned Eagle, Broad-billed Roller, Black-headed Heron, White-thighed Hornbill, Grey Parrot, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Blue-shouldered Robin-chat, Green Hummingbird, African Shrike-flycatcher, Eastern Nicator.

Bigodi Community Walk: Bigodi is well known for its Hospitable and amazing people who warmly receive tourists into their communities. Arrive in Bigodi and encounter the local communities who will take you through traditional activities such as the traditional preparation of local brew, traditional dances and preparation of local foods.

Guided Forest Nature Walks: Embark on thrilling guided forest Nature walks in Kibale National Park that provide you with a variety of viewing opportunities, including Forest Elephants, bushbucks, reedbucks, Chimpanzees, Kobs, and other vegetation types. Guided Nature walks are the best way to explore the Park’s ecosystem, including a variety of wildlife and stunning views.

Rules and Guidelines while Observing the Chimpanzees in Kibale National Park

For a successful chimpanzee trekking, travellers on a chimpanzee trekking safari need to know the rules and guidelines while observing the chimps in their natural habitat, which include the following

• The Minimum age for Chimpanzee trekking is 15 years
• Keep a 7 -8-meter distance while observing the chimpanzees
• Do not feed the chimpanzees
• Do not mimic the chimpanzees because you do not know what you are communicating
• Avoid noise and stay in a group while observing the chimpanzees
• Do not eat and drink near or in the presence of Chimpanzees
• Do not use flashlights while taking photographs
• Visiting the chimpanzees is strictly 1 hour unless it is chimpanzee Habituation.

In conclusion, Kibale National Park has a variety of habituated chimpanzee families open for chimpanzee trekking, thus creating beautiful safari memories.