Location: Kibale National Park is situated in western Uganda, protecting evergreen rain forest. On the other hand, Budongo Forest is located in northwest of Kampala city and it’s part of Murchison Falls National Park.
Size: Kibale National Park sits on 766 square kilometers (296 sq mi) while the size of Budongo forest is 825 km2 (319 sq mi). For that case, Budongo forest is larger than Kibale National Park.
Primates in Kibale National Park include:
- Chimpanzee
- Black and white colobus monkey
- Red tailed monkey
- Grey checked mangabey
- Red colobus monkey
- L’Hoest’s monkey
- Olive baboon among others.
Primates in Budongo forest include:
- black-and-white colobus
- Red-tailed monkey,
- blue monkey
- olive baboon.
- Chimpanzee and so on.
Kibale National Park is a well composed National Park while Budongo Forest is a wildlife reserve which is part of Murchison Falls National Park.
The cost of chimpanzee trekking permit in a bit higher than that of Kibale National Park at US$250 and 160 respectively
Similarities:
Both Kibale and Budongo are dominated by ever green rain forests and while you in the fore, check out other attractions like birds, tree species, valleys, hills, waterfalls and nature walks among others.
In both destinations, chimpanzee habituation starts early in the morning and end in the evening when chimpanzees go back to sleep. Therefore, you spend full day in the forest while.
Both Kibale National Park and Budongo forest are gazatted and protected places for wildlife.
A maximum of 4 people is allowed to go for chimpanzee habituation in Kibale National Park and Budongo Forest.
Chimpanzee habituation is led by researchers and ranger guides from Uganda wildlife Authority.
Chimpanzee habituation process takes place between 2-3 year until when chimpanzees get used to the presence of human being. The habituated group will then be launched for official chimpanzee tourism.
Typical habituation starts early in the morning between 6-6:30am. The aim is to meet chimpanzees when are just waking up- study about them and leave when they are going back to sleep.
You can combine chimpanzee tracking with a gorilla safari to explore Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Chimpanzee Habituation Guide:
- Prior purchase of chimpanzee habituation permits. It’s recommended to buy chimpanzee permits at lease 6 months to the tracking date. Its because primate permits are on high demand throughout the year so, its wise to secure yours in time.
- Prepare to move with packed food and water. Chimpanzee habituation is a full day activity thus requires you to move with your food and enough water.
- Rain proof gear – Being a tropical rain forest, rain is expected any time and it hard to miss getting wet in the process. Therefore, carry rain jacket, water proof shoes, umbrella and so on.
- Carry your insect repellent to control insect bites Tsetse flies, mosquitoes, flies and so on.
- Move with your camera to capture great moments during chimpanzee habituation. Its important to carry powerful lenses and extra camera batteries.
- Prepare to put on right clothes – long sleeved shirts and trousers will protect you from thorny plant scrunches and tares.
- In the know of the rules and regulations governing chimpanzee habituation. Keep a distance of 7metres between you and the chimps, do not litter in the park, Keep low voices when near chimpanzees, Do not feed the chimps because they are wild animals and so on.
