Explore Uganda’s best destinations during a combined Rwenzori hiking and Chimpanzee trekking safari in the two destinations of Rwenzori Mountains national park and Kibale forest national park. During this Uganda hiking safari, you will spend part of your good time on the footsteps of the Uganda’s highest mountain – Mountain Rwenzori and later have a one on one experience with the shy chimpanzees. This combined trip can be started from Rwenzori Mountains or vice versa.
Chimpanzee Trekking Experience
In Uganda, chimpanzee trekking experience is mostly done in Kibale forest national park. Kibale forest national park is a Uganda tourist destination positioned in the south western region. Also referred to as a primate capital, the park is known for mainly protecting the endangered chimpanzees in its rain forests. With a total area of approximately 766 square kilometers, Kibale national park is one of the remaining expanses to contain both lowland and montane forests. The park is known for highest concentration of primates in Africa and among the common primate species include; the endangered chimpanzees, the red colobus monkeys and the rare L’Hoest’s monkey.
Kibale forest national park has a total number of 13 primate species with the inclusive of chimpanzees. In the national park, chimpanzee trekking is the most done activity. The experience starts in the morning with registration and briefing at Kanyachu visitors’ center about the rules and regulations to follow during the trekking. After the short brief, you will start off the trek to the jungle by the lead of an experienced guide. Chimpanzee trekking takes about 30 to 4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located and during the trek, expect to spot other primate species like black and white colobus monkeys, Red tailed monkeys, Red Colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Blue monkeys and many others.
Other destinations in Uganda where chimpanzee trekking experience can be done include Budongo forest reserve in Murchison falls national park, and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park.
Rwenzori Hiking Experience
Rwenzori hiking experience also referred to as a mystical challenge is done in the Uganda’s highest mountain and also Africa’s third highest after Kilimanjaro of Tanzania and Mount Kenya- Mount Rwenzori. This snowcapped mountain is protected by Rwenzori mountains national park that stretches through different districts including Kabarole, Kasese and Bundibugyo. The park’s region comprises several features like the Africa’s highest peak – Margherita, glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, a number of rivers and a beautiful vegetation cover. It also hosts a number of species including over 70 mammals and 217 bird species where 19 are Albertine Rift endemics.
Rwenzori hiking experience involves trailing through different vegetation zones of the mountain as you cross several natural features like rivers, valleys, rocky hills and lakes. Mountain Rwenzori is made up of various campsites that act as resting places that enable the hikers gain energy for the next day hiking experience. During the hiking process, expect to spot a number of species including mammals, primates, birds and insects. For one to get to the summit of the mountain, you will have to climb through some junior mountain summits including Mount Speke, Mount Baker and others.
Other activities to do in Kibale National Park as add ons on Chimpanzee Trekking
Chimpanzee habituation
Closer to chimpanzee trekking, chimpanzee habituation involves meeting chimps that are trained to get used to human presence. In this experience, travelers are given more time to spend with the primates compared unlike during chimpanzee trekking. During chimpanzee trekking, travelers are given 1 hour to spend with the primates and for the habituation; travellers are given about 6 hours and above to spend with the primates. For your proper preparations and enjoyment of the activity, you are advised to book the habituation permits in time that is at least 3 months prior to the date of travel.
Bird watching
With different vegetation zones and ecosystems like woodland, savannah, wet tropical to dry tropical, shrubs and broad leaved grasses, Kibale forest national park becomes one of the best birding destinations with over 325 bird species. Among the birds in the park include masked apalis, white napped pigeon, red winged francolin, black crowned waxbill, purple headed starling and others.
Game viewing
Kibale forest national park is a home to a number of animals that can be seen during your hike through the dense forests of the park. Among the animals include; chimpanzees, leopards, elephants, bush pigs and others.
