Birding in Kibale National Park
Birding in Kibale National Park is the second most done activity by tourists on safari in Kibale National Park. Well, Kibale National Park is renowned as the primate capital of the world because it hosts the highest concentration of primate species as well as birders’ hoven. Despite this fact, the park was created in 1993 as a national park to protect numerous wild chimpanzees and other small primate species. More so, the park is labeled an Important Bird Area from where tourists keen on birding to sightsee various bird species. Kibale National Park is home to the paradise of birders with more than 350 bird species and six of the endemic to the region. Birding in the park can be done on different natural trails of Kibale Forest and around Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary and about 138 bird species that complement the number of birds that tourists can see.
Checklist Bird Species in Kibale National Park Include;
Blue-breasted kingfisher, Chubb’s Cisticola, Black-capped waxbill, African Black-headed Oriole, African Emerald Cuckoo, African green-pigeon, Black-crowned Tchagra, African wood owl, Alpine swift, Ash flycatcher, Barn swallow, Cameroon Sombre greenbul, Papyrus canary, Papyrus gonolek, White-collared olive, Green-breasted pitta most sought after, African pitta, Abyssinian ground thrush, Dusky crimsoning, Collared Apalis, Crowned eagle, Brown-chested alethe, Yellow-rumped tinker bird, Blue-breasted kingfisher among others recorded bird species.
Four bird species are not seen elsewhere in other Uganda National Parks and these include; the blue-headed bee-eater, Nahan’s francolin, the masked apalis, and the Cassin’s spine tail. Come along the migratory bird species which usually visit the place between November and April.
In general, bird watching in Kibale Forest National Park is an interesting and one of the best-done activities on a guided forest walk which gives travelers a great opportunity to sightsee a variety of them. However, the best birding spot in the park is Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary which is a community project where experienced local guides lead bird lovers on a four-hour walking trail in search of various bird species.
Birding tours in Kibale National Park are best done in the morning and evening sessions when the day is cool. The morning session is the best birding experience which starts early at 7 am at the Kanyanchu visitor Centre under the guidance of an experienced bird guide. The birders are guaranteed of spotting various bird species whereby they are being led by a knowledgeable guide who knows about the best trails to spot birds.
Generally, Uganda is one of the top birding destinations in the world boosted with more than 1099 bird species that can be spotted in different national parks, reserves, wetlands, and savannah grassland among others. Kibale Forest National Park is one of the best parks to go for birdwatching among others such as; Mabamba Bay wetland, Budongo forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Bwindi Forest National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Botanical gardens in Entebbe, Semuliki National Reserves among others.
Best time for birding in Kibale National Park
Birding in Kibale can be done throughout the years. But the best time for birding in Kibale is during the wet season when there is various food in the park starting from March to May and from September to November, which are the rainy months.
What to pack on a birding in Kibale National Park?
There are many essentials you’re required to pack to make your birding tours memorable; They include; Mineral water bottle, insect repellent, Sunglasses, Pair of Binocular, a Field bag and field clothing, a guided birding book, a Mineral water bottle, hat, poncho, sweater, rain jacket, hand gloves many more.
How to get to Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park can be reached by both road and air.
By car
Travelers drive a 300-kilometer distance from Kampala to Fort Portal and then arrive at the park. The driving takes about 5 to 6 hours of beautiful rewarding road drive.
By Air
Travelers fly from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airstrip or Nyakisharara airstrip in Mbarara. It takes 1 hour and 20 minutes to land the tourists and then be picked up by the driver guide to drop you at the lodge.
Kibale National Park is truly a birding destination, apart from being home to the largest population of primates in East Africa. Although, most travelers visit the park for Chimpanzee trekking not knowing that they can combine birding with chimpanzee trekking or habituation experience. The chimpanzee trekking goes at USD200 per person per day and the Chimpanzee habituation costs USD250 per person per track. Other primates to see in Kibale National Park includes; Olive baboons, Grey –checked mangabey, L’hoest’s, Red-tailed monkeys, and Guereza colobus among others.
For more information about planning a Uganda safari, we advise you to get in touch with trustworthy tour operators to help you in booking birding safaris.
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