Choosing between Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale and Nyungwe Forest National Park

Choosing between Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale and Nyungwe Forest National Park gives no much difference in the experience you’ll get from either park. You have a really high chance, about 95%, of spotting chimpanzees in their natural habitat, no matter which park you choose.

Kibale Forest National Park is famous for its many kinds of primates. There are 13 species of primates living there, including over 1500 chimpanzees, making it the biggest chimpanzee population in Uganda. You can also find other animals like the bushbaby, potto, monkeys, and baboons. Bird watchers will love it too, with over 335 bird species to spot. Chimpanzee trekking happens twice a day, in the morning and afternoon, depending on the permit you buy and your trekking plans.

Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, is also home to a variety of primates. Besides chimpanzees, you can find 12 other primate species there, including the L’Hoest’s monkey, which is only found in the Albertine Rift. It’s a beautiful and biodiverse place to explore.

Cost of Chimpanzee Trekking

There’s a big difference in the cost of chimpanzee trekking permits between the two parks. In Nyungwe Forest, a permit costs only $50, while in Kibale National Park, it’s $200. You can get your permit for Nyungwe Forest at the reception center, through the Rwanda Development Board, or with a tour operator. It’s a good idea to book in advance, even though you can sometimes get permits on the same day. For Kibale Forest, you can buy permits at the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s reservations office or at Kibale Forest National Park.

Time Spent during Chimpanzee Trekking

Both parks start their chimpanzee treks early in the morning. You’ll get a briefing at the forest headquarters about what to do and what not to do. Then, you’ll be split into groups with park guides and rangers who will take you into the forest for your chimpanzee adventure. The trek itself lasts about 2 to 4 hours, depending on where the chimpanzees are moving. Once you find them, you get to spend about an hour watching them eat, rest, and play. Along the way, you might also see other primates, reptiles, and mammals. And remember, there’s a really high chance, 95%, of spotting chimpanzees in both Kibale National Park and Nyungwe Forest.

Best Time for Chimpanzee Trekking

The best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and Nyungwe Forest is from June to October and December to March. During these months, it’s dry in Uganda, with only mild rainfall. This makes it easier to trek through the forest to find chimpanzees. Also, because it’s not rainy, the vegetation isn’t as thick, so you can see the chimps better and take great photos. But from April to May and November, it’s the wet season, and the vegetation grows a lot. This can make it harder to see the chimps because the forest is thicker. However, during these months, the treks might be shorter because the chimps don’t have to go far to find food, which is more available. But whether it’s wet or dry, you still have a very good chance, about 95%, of seeing chimpanzees in Kibale National Park and Nyungwe Forest.

Chimpanzee Families and Trekking Experience

If you want more options for chimpanzee families to see, Kibale National Park is the place to go. It has more chimpanzee families open for trekking compared to Nyungwe Forest. But no matter which forest you choose, you’re likely to see these amazing apes in their natural habitat. In both places, the chances of seeing chimpanzees are very high, so you’ll have a good experience.

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience

In Kibale National Park, you have an extra special option called the chimpanzee habituation experience. This lets you spend more time with the chimpanzees. This experience has been extended from July 1, 2024, to June 31, 2026. During this time, you can spend more hours with semi-habituated chimpanzees. You’ll be guided by trackers and researchers. This is different from the usual trekking, where you only get one hour with the chimps. The permit for the habituation experience costs USD300 per person for non-foreign residents, USD250 per person for foreign residents, and 250,000 Ugandan shillings for East African Community citizens.

Accessing Kibale Forest National Park for Chimpanzee Trekking

By Road: To get to Kibale Forest National Park by road, you can follow the main safari route from Entebbe or Kampala to Fort Portal. This journey takes around 4 to 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take the Kampala-Mabara-Kasese highway. From Kasese, it’s a 1 to 2-hour drive to reach Kibale Forest.

By Air: If you prefer flying, you can take a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kasese airstrip. From there, you’ll need to arrange transportation to Kibale Forest National Park. Domestic airlines like Aero link and Fly Uganda operate scheduled and chartered flights.

Accessing Nyungwe Forest National Park for Chimpanzee Trekking

By Road: Nyungwe Forest National Park is accessible by road from Kigali. You can take the main safari route via Kivu Gisenyi, which takes around 5 to 6 hours. Another option is the Kigali-Gisenyi highway, followed by a 1 to 2-hour drive from Kivu to Nyungwe Forest.

By Air: Flying is also an option. You can fly from Kigali International Airport to Rusizi/Kamembe airport, which is 55km/34mi from Rusizi. From there, you’ll need transportation to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Domestic airlines offer scheduled and chartered flights.

Where to Stay During Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest National Park

There are various accommodation options in Kibale Forest National Park to suit different budgets.

Budget Options: Budget-friendly options include Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, Isunga Lodge, Mountains of the Moon, Rwenzori View Guest House, and Kibale Homestay. These accommodations typically cost between USD 90 to 100 per person per night.

Mid-Range Options: For those looking for a bit more comfort, mid-range options include Kibale Forest Camp, Turaco Treetops Lodge, and Prime Lodge Kibale. These accommodations range from USD 150 to 200 per person per night.

Luxury Options: If you prefer luxury, there are upscale options such as Ndali Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, and Kyaninga Lodge. Prices for these accommodations range from USD 250 to 700 per person per night.

Where to Stay for Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

When you go chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, you need a place to stay. There are different options for where you can stay. Iconic Africa Safaris will help you book the right one.

Budget Accommodations

If you’re on a budget, there are places like Nyungwe Guest House, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, and Gasakura Guest House. These places cost around $90 to $100 per person per night.

Mid-Range Accommodations

For a bit more comfort, you can choose mid-range options like Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel. These places cost between $150 and $200 per person per night.

Luxury Accommodations

If you want luxury, One&Only Nyungwe House is a great choice. It’s more expensive, ranging from $500 to $1000 per person per night.

No matter where you stay, you’ll have a cozy place to rest after your exciting chimpanzee trekking adventure in Nyungwe Forest National Park.