Kibale National Park
Known as the Primate Capital of the World, Kibale National Park is mysteriously attractive to nature lovers who are attracted to a wide range of forest birds and primate species. Kibale National Park is located in Fort Portal and covers an area of 321km2 and it’s home to 14 different types of primates and over 360 bird species.
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The evergreen protected tropical rainforest is a top destination of Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda and one can also be sight other different types of primates such as the Red Tailed Monkeys, Black and White Colobus monkey, Grey cheeked Mangabey, The Blue Monkey, the L’Hoest Monkeys, Vervet monkeys among others. It’s a good destination to sight different types of birds. The park stretches through Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo and Kasese districts. It’s just 26km SouthEast of Fort Portal city among the gently undulating lush green hills of cultivation. To the West, the legendary Mountains of the moon (Rwenzori Mountains) stretch to the South.
Flora And Fauna
Kibale National Park is a home to 14 primate species, 71 mammal species and over 360 bird species. It’s also home to over 350 plant species and has one of the highest diversity and concentration of primates in Africa. It’s home to over 1,400 chimpanzees alongside other primate species such as the Red Tailed Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Pottos, Vervet Monkeysamong others.
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It also harbours mammal species such as the Bush Elephants, Bush pigs, Buffaloes. The forest hosts over 360 bird species such as the Great Blue Turaco, Black Bee Eater, Green Breasted pitta, African Pitta,Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, Pin-tailed whydah, Purple Breasted Sunbird, Black Capped Apalis, Crowned Eagle, Little Greenbul, African pied wagtail, White Naped Pigeon, Black Headed Gonolek, Double Toothed Barbet, Black Billed Barret.
Things To Do While In The Park
- Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzees are the main attraction in Kibale National Park and Chimpanzee Tracking is the main activity done in the park. Here tourists track chimpanzees in the forest and when they have identified a group, they spend one hour with them.
- Birding
Bird watching is another activity in Kibale National Park and is a rewarding experience as one can sight many bird species as it’s home to over 360 bird species such as the Great Blue Turaco,Black Bee Eater, Green Breasted pitta, African Pitta, Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, Pin-tailed whydah, Purple Breasted Sunbird, Black Capped Apalis, Crowned Eagle, Little Greenbul, African pied wagtail, White Naped Pigeon, Black Headed Gonolek, Double Toothed Barbet, Black Billed Barrett among others.
- Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
This Experience is ideal for researchers, or chimpanzee enthusiasts who wish to spend more time with the chimpanzees where they spend 4 hours with the chimps and observing their behaviours. During the chimpanzee Habituation experience a tourist spends 4 hours with the chimpanzees than the 1 hour spent with the chimpanzees during chimpanzee tracking.
- Kibale Forest Hike( Walking Trail)
The Kibale Forest Walk Trail is 12km long and the hike is usually done in the dry season in the months of June to September and November to February taking between 5 and 6 hours. This hike offers you an opportunity to discover the park’s assorted habitats such the river line forest, swamp grassland and tropical rainforests.
- Guided Night Nature walks
These night guided nature walks give you an opportunity to sight the nocturnal animals. Such night walks only happen in presence of a ranger and animals that can be sighted include the Bush baby, Potto, hyrax among others.
- The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is located in Magombe swamp just outside Kibale National Park. It’s home to over 138 bird species and several primate species.
- Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lakes Region
For any visitor looking to spend a few inexpensive days rambling and hiking in beautiful unspoiled surroundings, I can’t think of any other part of Uganda as suitable as the Kasenda area. The Kasenda lakes are all different and are very beautiful. The lush surrounding countryside, rattling with birds, monkeys, and butterflies, provides limitless opportunities for casual exploration below the majestic backdrop of the glacial peaks of the Rwenzori.
Where to stay
Kibale National Park has a wide range of Accommodation options ranging from luxury( high end) to mid range to budget lodges to
make sure every traveller is catered for. Examples of the lodges in Kibale National Park include;
-Primates Lodge
-Kibale Forest Camp
-Turaco Treetops Lodge
– Kyaninga Lodge
-Chimpundu Lodge
– Ndali lodge,Crater Safari Lodge,Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
- Best Time to Visit Kibale National Park.
The best season for visiting Kibale National Park is in the dry season. The dry season in Uganda is experienced in June to September and November to February as one can enjoy the activities. The forest is also clear in the dry season and it makes the sighting of the primates easy in the trees as they play together.
How To Get To The Park
Kibale National Park is located in western Uganda, 22 km southeast of Fort Portal town and can be reached from Kampala either from the north, via Mubende and Fort Portal, or the south through Mbarara and Kamwenge.
- By Air
They are scheduled and chartered flights with Aerolink for those who are not willing to take long tiresome drives can opt for a flight from Entebbe Airport to Kasese Airstrip and be transfered the rest of the journey by road.