Can I use a drone to film Chimpanzees in Kibale?

Can I use a drone to film Chimpanzees in Kibale? Do you a have a chimpanzee filming project in Uganda and you are planning to film chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park are you searching online for more information about Can I use a drone to film Chimpanzees in Kibale, yes this is possible to film chimpanzees in Kibale using a drone? You can either hire a drone in Uganda or import a drone. Hiring a drone in Uganda and using it to film chimpanzees is much easier than importing a drone into Uganda.

It is possible to import a drone and use it for filming chimpanzees in Kibale but you have to follow the Procedure for Importation and Operation of a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (Drone) as below.

1. Identify the Ministry in Uganda within which the activity falls and write to that particular Ministry seeking a letter of no objection. 

2. Write a letter to the Chief of Defence Forces Uganda seeking another letter of no objection (Attach the previous letter of no objection from the Ministry) 

3. After the acquisition of clearance from the Chief of Defence Forces, you can proceed to import the drone to Uganda 

4. At the point of entry in Uganda, either by air or land, acquire clearance from the Uganda Revenue Authority (Customs) for the importation of the drone. After importation, permission has to be sought from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority to operate the drone in Uganda by writing to the Director of Safety, Security and Economic Regulation on related guidelines. 

6. Please note that all documentation of previous clearances at the various stages with the following additional requirements should be attached before further clearance is granted:

• Drone operations manual and specifications 
• Pilot’s Drone training certificate, license, and Class III medical certificate issued by a recognized aviation designated medical examiner.
• Observer’s particulars 
• Geographical location and map of the area of operation 
• A copy of third-party insurance 
• Fully completed authorization form. 

7. You will be required to pay the authorization fee of Uganda Shillings 200.000 + 18% VAT at the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority Cash office located at Entebbe International Airport and submit a copy of the payment receipt. 

8. On satisfying the above application criteria, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority will issue the following: 

• UCAA Drones Operations Permit 
• Summary of information/particulars of the registered operator 
• Specific operating conditions of the permit.

Kibale Forest National Park is best known for its number and variety of resident primates with 13 species of primates including the largest population of chimpanzees in Uganda estimated at over 1500 chimpanzees, other primates found in Kibale Forest include the nocturnal busbaby and potto, Monkeys, baboons among others. Kibale forest national park is also a popular destination for birders with over 335 bird species recorded. Chimpanzee trekking is done in two sessions in the morning and afternoon this will be determine by the chimpanzee permit you purchase and your itinerary to trek in a given session accordingly.

How to book Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park

For you to book Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, you will need to have a your Chimpanzee trekking permit secured in advanced to confirm that you are booked for Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park. Once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed we will need you to send us an email at Eco Adventure Safaris so that we check for availability of Chimpanzee permits online with the Uganda Wildlife Authority once we confirm chimpanzee permits are available for your planned dates we will let you know so that we can send you an invoice for you to make payment for the permits. Once the payment is done and we have received it on our account we will go ahead and purchase your chimpanzee trekking permits immediately and send you a scanned copy of the permits for your records and perusal, this will confirm you are booked for Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park. It is advised to book your chimpanzee trek in Uganda in advance atleast 2-3 months prior your visit given the fact chimpanzee permits like gorilla permits also are limited and sell out very quickly on first come first serve basis.

How much is Chimpanzee filming in Kibale Forest National Park

Can I use a drone to film Chimpanzees in Kibale. You need to pay 40% of the chimpanzee permit for you to film in Kibale, you will also need a media card which costs $175 per person. A Chimpanzee permit costs USD200 for the Foreign nonresident, USD150 for the Foreign resident and USD30 (100,000 Uganda Shilling) for the East African Citizen per person per trek, this chimpanzee permit gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park.  On top of the chimpanzee permit you will also pay other services for a successful Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park which include transport, accommodation and guiding. Please click here to get in touch with us here about Can I use a drone to film Chimpanzees in Kibale?

What is the best time for filming Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park?

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park is best done in the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for viewing the chimpanzees offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of April, May and November which is normally a wet season this makes the vegetations grow high making the sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact chimpanzees don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park can be done throughout the year given the fact it is a very well organized activity and you have 99% chances of seeing the Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park.

How to access Kibale Forest National Park for Chimpanzee Trekking

By Road; Kibale Forest National Park can be accessed through the main safari circuit from Entebbe/Kampala to Fortportal which approximately 4-5 hours drive. You can as well access the park through Kampala-Mabara-Kasese highway, from Kasese you will connect to the Kibale Forest with 1-2 hours drive.

By Air; You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kasese airstrip from here you will transfer to Kibale Forest National Park. Scheduled and chartered flights are available and operated by domestic airline operators of Aero link and Fly Uganda. You will need to plan with your tour operator for a transfer from the airstrip to the Park

Where to stay during Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park

There are many accommodation options in Kibale Forest National Park where you can stay during your Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park these range from budget, mid-range to luxury let us now we will book for you accordingly.

Accommodation in Kibale Forest National Park, Budget options include Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, Isunga Lodge, Mountains of the Moon, Rwenzori view Guest House, Kibale Home Stay among others these cost USD90-100 per person per night, mid-range include Kibale Forest Camp, Turaco Treetops Lodge and Prime Lodge Kibale among others these cost USD150-200 per person per night, Luxury options include Ndali Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge and Kyaninga Lodge these cost USD250-700 per person per night.

Why plan filming Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park with Eco Adventure Safaris

At Eco Adventure Safaris we are well set to host tourists with various SOPs put in place in-line with WHO for the safety and health of our clients, we ready to organize your safari following precautions set to prevent the spread of COVID and ensure you do your safari safely and successfully. Safari Travel Services and its team bring you closer than ever to the wonders Uganda and Rwanda have to offer. From Gorilla trekking to the chimpanzee habitation in Kibale, cultural tour across Rwanda and city tours, we have everything you need to make your first or occurring experience in the region a memorable one. Click here for a complete list of our entire packages, and in case you have any questions, please click here to get in touch with us here about Can I use a drone to film Chimpanzees in Kibale?