Kibale Forest National Park sprawls in western Uganda approximately 4-5 hours’ drive away from Kampala. It features a vast rain-forest a few of which still remain African continent today. This 795sq.kms conservancy area is blessed with numerous natural wonders that are worth exploring while you are on Uganda safari. Kibale Forest National Park was founded in 1993 to protect its biodiversity and it is managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority an organ that is responsible in managing all the ten national parks in Uganda.
Wildlife in Kibale Forest National Park
For primate lovers, Kibale Forest National Park is that one magical primate safari destination you need not to miss to explore while on safari in Uganda. It boasts of its over 13 distinct primate species which make it the capital of primates in East Africa. While on primate safari in Uganda, don’t miss to explore over 1500 chimpanzees most of which have been habituated and set for visitors on Uganda chimpanzee tracking safaris.
There are also several primates to look out including L’Hoests, blue monkeys, red colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, bush baby, pottos, playful baboons black and white colobus monkeys and many more. Kibale Forest National Park also inhabits other mammal species including buffaloes, elephants, bush pigs, duikers, leopards; over 350 bird species.
Birds in Kibale Forest National Park
With over 350 bird species, Kibale Forest National Park is a true birders paradise. Visitors on Uganda birding safari tour in Kibale National Park have opportunity of which are native to the Albertine rift and most of them include purple breasted sunbird, dusky crimson wing, African green breasted pitta, black bee-eaters, yellow spotted nicator, collared apalis, blue headed sunbird, red faced woodland warbler, Abyssinian ground thrush, crowned eagle, blue breasted kingfishers, yellow rumped tinker bird, black eared ground thrush, little greenbul and many more.
Other attractions in Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park also inhabits several butterflies including the charaxes, swallow tails, amphibians, reptiles as well as 351 species of trees and they include among others the piptadeniastrum Africana, gate trees, funtu mia, ptyregota and Naked Adam tree.
Activities to do in Kibale Forest National Park
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking/tracking is prime safari activity offered to travelers on Uganda safari to Kibale Forest National Park. Given the huge concentration of chimpanzees in this park, about 4 chimpanzee communities have been habituated and open for tracking and treks start at Kanyanchu visitor center. To trek chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, you need a chimpanzee trekking permit and each permit costs $150 but starting 2020, chimpanzee permits for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale will cost $200. Chimpanzee treks last from 2 to 4 hours and visitors are put in a group of 6 trekkers and assigned to one park ranger guide. these creatures.
Chimpanzee habituation experience (Chex)
Chimpanzee habituation experience is an exhilarating primate adventure that is offered to tourists on Uganda safari in Kibale Forest National Park. Unlike the usual chimpanzee treks, chimpanzee habituation experience involves following semi-habituated chimpanzees for whole day in order to make them get used to human presence prior opening to trekking. The permits for this primate experience cost $220 per person but from 202o permits will be obtained at $250 for both foreign non-residents and foreign residents and East African citizens can obtain it at shs.200000.
Bird watching
Birding is one exciting and best way to discover the hidden treasures within the jungles of Kibale Forest National Park. While on bird watching tour in this park, expect to see birds such as the purple breasted sunbird, dusky crimson wing, African green breasted pitta, black bee-eaters, yellow spotted nicator, collared apalis, blue headed sunbird, red faced woodland warbler, Abyssinian ground thrush, crowned eagle, blue breasted kingfishers, yellow rumped tinker bird.
Other safari activities to do in Kibale Forest National Park include guided nature walks for children, painting and artwork, children scout adventurous activities.
Accommodation in Kibale Forest National Park
There are many accommodation choices for you to spend a night while on Uganda safari in Kibale National Park. They range from luxury to budget and they include;
- Luxury-Ndali Lodge/Primate Lodge/Crater Safari Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge/Papaya Lake Lodge
- Mid-range-Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Chimps Nest
- Budget-Lake Nkuruba Nature Reserve and Community Campsite/Nyinabulitwa Country Resort and Safari Camp
When to visit Kibale Forest National Park
Depending on your travel needs, Kibale Forest National Park is open to tourists all year round. However, chimpanzee trekking is ideal during the dry months of the year which begin from June to September and December to February while those in need for bird watching, the wet season is perfect. The wet season in this park begins from March-May and late September-November. Kibale National Park is largely comprised of rain-forest and it receives rainfall amount of about 1700mm.
Getting to Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park is set suitably in the districts of Kibaale districts, Kamwenge, Kabarole in western Uganda. You can get to this pristine national Park by road and there are two routes for you to take. First, you can drive starting from Kampala/Entebbe via Mityana-Mubende to Fort Portal and you get to Kibale Forest National Park about 4-5 hours’ drive or drive from Kampala via Kamwenge.
Alternatively, fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to nearby airstrips especially Nyakisharara airstrip in Mbarara and drive to the park about 98kms via Kamwenge or Kasese airstrip which is 75kms away from Fort Portal Town.
