Why Kibale is a popular destination in the world: Chimpanzees are among the endangered ape species found in Uganda’s Kibale Forest National Park. The districts of Kasese and Fort Portal are shared by this tropical rainforest region in western Uganda. In order to preserve the rainforest and the various animal species that called it home, the national park was gazetted in 1993. Kibale is currently home to 60 animal species, 372 bird species, and 13 primates.
Because of the variety of wildlife that can be seen there, Kibale Forest National Park is one of Uganda’s most visited tourist sites. During nature hikes, bird viewing, and chimpanzee trekking/habituation activities, visitors may observe the park’s animals. Although Kibale does not provide game drives, visitors may still see animals by using several forest trails.
There are a lot of visitors planning safaris in Uganda, and they are so interested in learning why Kibale has grown so popular that they decide to stop by while on their safari there. In this post, we’ll examine the factors that have contributed to Kibale’s global appeal.
causes for Kibale’s global popularity as a travel destination.
The Chimpanzee
Because it is home to chimpanzees, Kibale Forest National Park is a well-liked travel destination worldwide. Chimpanzees are a threatened species of primates that are extinct worldwide. They like to live in equatorial Africa’s tropical rain forests, such as Kibale, where they spend the most of the day perched atop trees.Tourists like chimpanzees because, according to experts, they are closely related to humans.
The large number of chimpanzees
The large number of chimpanzees in Kibale is one of the main factors contributing to its popularity. Of all the chimpanzee-inhabited protected areas in Uganda, the national park has the largest population. Although there are over 5000 chimpanzees in Uganda, over 1500 of them may be found in the Kibale forest.
The abundance of chimpanzees allows
The large number of chimpanzees in Kibale Forest ensures a high volume of permits for chimp trekking. The quantity of chimp trekking permits is another element contributing to Kibale’s global appeal. Kibale Forest National Park receives the most chimp trekking permits, indicating that it receives the most daily visitors. There are 84 chimpanzee permits in Kibale Forest National Park, of which 72 are for chimpanzee trekking and 12 are for chimpanzee habituation.
Easy access
Because Kibale Forest National Park is relatively accessible, both tour companies and tourists interested in chimpanzee trekking like it. Road transportation takes around 6-7 hours to get to Kibale Forest National Park, and less than 3 hours. Travelers go to the park by flight via Kampala, Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi, and Kasese.
Additionally, visitors can enter the park via Fort Portal, Kyenjojo, Mityana, Mubende, and Kampala. As an alternative, luxury travelers may take a flight from Kajjansi Airstrip and Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airstrip, which is close to the park, in 1 hour and 15 minutes. The flights are run by Aerolink Uganda and Bar Aviation Uganda.
Possibility of seeing chimpanzees
Chimpanzee sightings are certain due to Kibale’s enormous chimpanzee population, which has made the national park well-known worldwide. Visitors to Kibale Forest usually write about their encounters with the chimpanzees and share their stories with others. Searching for chimpanzees of Kibale takes 2-6 hours and tourists are always assured of seeing the chimps any time before they travel out of the bush. Since the chimps are just leaving their nests, hiking is always most enjoyable in the morning.
primates in the forest of Kibale
It is the world’s primate capital.
Because Kibale Forest National Park is home to the greatest number of monkeys in the world, it is known as the primate capital. There are thirteen primates in the national park, some of which are visible during the day and others at night. Chimpanzees, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, l’hoest’s monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, Uganda red colobus, grey checked mangabeys, pottos, demidoff galago, Uganda mangabey, and patas monkeys are just a few of the primates found in Kibale forest.
Affordable chimpanzee permits
Because permits for Kibale Forest National Park are so reasonably priced for all types of visitors, the park has grown in popularity worldwide. The cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale Forest National Park is UGX180,000 for East African nationals, $250 for foreign non-residents, and $150 for foreign residents. The cost of the habituation permits is UGX250000 for East African nationals, $250 for international residents, and $300 for foreign non-residents.
In Kibale, you may spend more time with chimpanzees.
The only location in the world where visitors spend longer time with chimpanzees is Kibale. Visit Kibale, where one family is available for such activities, if visitors like to spend the entire day with chimpanzees engaging in habituation. With the assistance of researchers and armed ranger guides, tourists do look for this family and spend the entire day with the members, helping them become accustomed to the human presence around them.