Best Time To Go Chimpanzee Tracking In Kibale
Are you planning to visit Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee trekking but wondering when to go? Besides mountain gorilla safaris, Uganda offer yet exceptional primate adventures for you to explore while on your safari. Situated in Western Uganda, East Africa, Kibale Forest National Park has been described as the capital of the primates in the world. The park offers refuge to mainly 13 primate species including over 1500 chimpanzees out of the 5000 individuals that are confined within Uganda making chimpanzee trekking and Habituation Experience (CHEX) its main tourist attractions.
These primates share about 98.7% of their DNA with humans. Trekking these rare apes also rewards visitors with stunning views of other primates like the rare L’Hoests, Black and white colobus monkeys, endangered Red colobus monkeys, olive baboons and many more. Besides the park also offers refuge to more than 325 bird species, four felids, 70 mammal species and over 250 species of trees. Kibale National Park is dominated by moist evergreen and semi deciduous forest. The large part of this forest was logged at the time of when it was a forest reserve and some exotic tree species were planted in plantations especially the pines and eucalyptus.
Ever since the area was gazetted as a national park, most of these introduced trees have been removed and logging has stopped. Kibale is highest at the park’s Northern tip and it stands at altitude 1590 meters above sea level. The lowest point is at 1100 meters on the floor of the Albertine Rift Valley to the South.
If you are planning to visit Kibale Forest National Park, it is important that you take note of best time to track these unique apes in their natural habitats. Trekking adventures in Kibale National Park is an all year round experience but the best time to visit is during the dry season which starts from the months of June to September and then from December to February and these are drier and hottest months but the best season for chimpanzee trekking. The forest is also less thick making it easier to sight these incredible apes.
There is also much sunshine at this period and less rain and because of it is a peak season, most tourists flock for this adventure but most importantly the park doesn’t become crowded. From March to May and towards the end of September to November mark the rainy season where wildlife viewing is a bit challenging but it is perfect for birding safaris especially those who wish to look out for the rare Green breasted pitta-the only second pitta in the whole of African continent that can be sighted within the tropical rain forest of Kibale National Park. For tourists who part take a 2 to 3 day safari, they have a higher opportunity to view the wild chimpanzees in the park.
Briefly, the best time to visit falls in the month of June, July, August and September and December, January and February. At this season, it is also a peak season and the trails are kept relatively drier, making chimpanzee trekking a bit simpler. The peak season starts from June to September and the Lower season is in the month of March, April, May and November and it is characterized by heavy rainfall. Best weather conditions start from the months of June, July and December to February which comes with less rainfall. The worst weather conditions are in the months of March, April and May and at the end of September to November which comes with heavy rainfall and the trails are muddy for tourists to track chimpanzees.
In conclusion, Kibale Forest National Park is Uganda’s best protected area for chimpanzee trekking safaris. Trekking these endangered apes in the wild is the most exciting and interesting experience anyone should include in his or her travel itinerary in Uganda. Trekking these apes in wild is a unique experience unlike those in zoos which is why visiting Kibale National Park is a must for you to view our closest relatives.
