Are children allowed to do chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest national park? Chimpanzee trekking is a major safari activity in Uganda for both local and international visitors. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is popularly carried out in Kibale forest National Park but it is conducted in other destinations inkling the Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park, Kyambura gorge, and Kalinzu forest in Queen Elizabeth National park located in western Uganda.

The chimpanzee trekking rules and regulations are set by Uganda Wildlife Authority and in fact, children under the age of 15 years of age are not allowed Chimpanzee trekking safaris. Usually, chimpanzee safaris and habituation experiences to Kibale Forest National Park are restricted to children, according to the regulation set by Uganda Wildlife Authority and it is well stipulated that chimpanzee trekking safaris are prohibited for children below the age of 15 are not allowed for this option.

Chimpanzee trekking involves moving for long distances within the forest on the outlook of the well-habituated chimpanzee groups. So it is impossible to tell which time you will spend in the forest for this activity and therefore this activity can make children so tired and fail on the way reason why children are not allowed to do chimpanzee trekking. Still, it is very hard to make children abide by the rules and regulations for chimpanzee trekking like maintaining a 7-meter rule once chimpanzees are spotted, and may be difficult for the guides to keep children on designated trails which sometimes may lead to children get lost from the forest.

Despite this, the Uganda wildlife authority has been recognized for setting up children’s activities in Kibale forest National Park as their parents engage in chimpanzee trekking and hiking activities. Kibale national park possesses well children friendly rangers who spend most of the time with children as they show them or participate in children activities such that they don’t get bored or regret as to why their parents have left them for chimp trekking.

Children can enjoy the bushcraft activity in the forest and this has only been organized in Kibale forest National Park. The forest fun is so interesting to the children. Children get excited when they watch monkeys in the forest as they are being equipped with hiding and defense skills by the child-friendly guide. Children will also be introduced to different plant species and tree species as well as the pests that grow while sticking on the forest.  Sightings of the bird species is an enjoyable activity for the children.

Children in Kibale forest National Park can as well engage in photography activity, batik making, and pond dipping among others. Children are free to enjoy the community member adjacent Kibale forest national park and can as well have visits to the kings’ palace in Tooro and other activities. Thus children below 15years are not allowed to do chimpanzee trekking but can do participate in other activities as highlighted above so you don’t need to worry you can come with your children and as you participated in chimpanzee trekking, he/she can engage in other safe and friendly activities around the Kibale forest National park.