Memorable Safari in Kibale Forest National Park

Memorable Safari in Kibale Forest National Park , Uganda Primates Haven : Kibale Forest National Park is a national park located in the western part of the Uganda. The park was originally gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932 but was later upgraded to a national park and extended southward to form a contiguous block with Queen Elizabeth National Park in 1993. Kibale park protects 766 sq. km and comprises of evergreen forests, grasslands, and swamps, ranging in elevation from 1,100 to 1,600 meters. More so, Kibale is one of the last remaining expanses to contain both lowland and montane forests. In eastern Africa, it sustains the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest. Kibale National Forest has one of the highest diversity and concentration of primates in Africa. It is home to a large number of endangered chimpanzees, as well as the red colobus monkey and the rare L’Hoest’s monkey.  the park is home to 13 primate species, making its the true Primate Capital of the World. The main attraction of the park is the “chimpanzee trekking” from Kanyanchu gate.

Attractions found at kibale forest

Primates

Kibale Forest National Park is popularly known as Primate Capital of the World. The National Park is also home to 13 primate species. Particularly, it hosts a large population of chimpanzees as well as Olive baboons, Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, Blue Monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Red Colobus Monkeys, Uganda mangabeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, Uganda red colobus, bushbabies and pottos. Kibale Forest National Park is, however, famous for chimpanzee trekking since it has several habituated chimpanzee communities that you can trek during Uganda safari tours.

Animals

Kibale Forest National Park also home to 70 mammal’s species such as wildlife such as African forest elephants, buffaloes, leopards, warthogs, bushpigs, golden cats, giant forest hogs, sitatungas, hippopotamus, bushbuck antelopes, red/blue duikers, mongooses and the occasionally spotted hyenas, monitor lizards, snakes, and frogs among others. The park also has over 250 butterfly species.

Bird species

More so , the park is home to 325 species of birds, including the Abyssinian ground thrush, crowned eagle, yellow spotted nicator, little greenbul, ash flycatcher, chubb’s cisticola, black capped waxbill, Africa shrike flycatcher, yellow rumped tinker bird, African dusky flycatcher, blue breasted kingfisher, African black headed oriole, African- pied wagtail, brown eared woodpecker, African emerald cuckoo, blue-throated roller, black billed weaver, zebra waxbill, blue-throated roller, African green pigeon, black headed oriole, African jacana mentioned but few.

Kibale’s Lush Rainforest

Kibale Forest National Park is occupied by rainforest, large-buttresses mahoganies, swamps, and tall fruiting figs whose canopy is 60m above the ground. The park boasts 351 recorded tree species, some towering over 55 meters and surpassing 200 years in age. It holds the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest in Eastern Africa.

Unlike its neighboring forest, Budongo, Kibale was spared from being cleared until the 1950s when a copper mine was built in Kasese district. The controlled cutting of timber for the mine helped preserve many of the forest’s massive mahogany trees and fruiting figs. Even during the civil wars, the government took steps to limit deforestation, ensuring that most of the forest remains intact today.

Major tourist activities at Kibale Forest National Park

Chimpanzee trekking tour

Chimpanzee trekking is a popular activity for visitors to Kibale Forest National Park. Tourists can spend either a half day or a full day observing these fascination primates in their natural habitat.  The most done activity in Kibale forest national park by tourists.  The adventure starts at 8:30 am at Kanyachu visitor’s center, where a brief orientation covers the rules and regulations of chimpanzee trekking. After that, you’ll be allocating an armed ranger guide, who will lead you the lush forest in search for these fascination creatures while pointing out the important information.

 Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park typically last between 2-4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are allocated. During the trek, you’ll also have the chance to spot other creatures that make the forest home such as other primate species like vervet, red-tailed, L’Hoest’s and blue monkeys, red colobus, black and white colobus. You will also have the chance to sight stunning butterflies, birds, flowering plants as well as animals’ species.

Once you find the chimps, you will be giving 1 hour interaction in their presence where you’ll have the chance to observe how they live in their natural habitat including feeding tactic, play and grooming each other.

For those interested in joining, the cost for trekking permits varies: foreign non-residents pay $250, foreign residents pay $ 200, and East African citizens pay UGX 180,000. These fees cover the cost of a nature walk, a guide, and park entrance. There’s also a chimpanzee habituation experience available, which allows for a more immersive encounter with the chimps, priced at $ 300 for foreign non-residents and residents, US$250 per person foreign resident while East African citizens pay UGX 250,000. This experience includes a guide and access to the park for a period of 4 hours.

Primate walk safari

Primate walks offer an incredible experience for safari-goers in Kibale Forest National Park, located in western Uganda. Participants can join guided walks at two different times each day: the first begins at 8:00 AM and the second at 2:00 PM. Each trek typically lasts between two to three hours, depending on factors like the group’s pace, the terrain, and seasonal conditions.

During these walks, visitors have the chance to observe a variety of primates, including as chimpanzees, Olive baboons, Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, Blue Monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Red Colobus Monkeys, Uganda mangabeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, Uganda red colobus, bushbabies and pottos. You’ll also meet with other mammals’ species such as African buffalo, African elephants, bushbucks, duikers, lions, giant forest hogs, sitatungas, bush pigs among others.

Bird watching

Kibale Forest National Park is one of the best birdwatching destinations in Uganda. The park is home to over 375 bird species that have been so far recorded including six endemics to the Albertine rift area. Bird watching tours commence at 7 am and it takes you to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, located nearby, known for a haven for over138 bird species. During tour birdwatching tour, you’ll have the chance to spot bird species such as blue-headed bee-eater, masked apalis, nahan’s francolin, little greenbul, black headed oriole, African jacana, brown chested alethe, black-billed turaco, black and white shrike flycatcher, barn swallow, collared appalis, black bee eater, African pitta, Abyssinian ground thrush, crowned eagle, and African emerald cuckoo among others.

Night walk

Guided night walks in Kibale Forest National Park are another most rewarding safari activity to embark while on a Uganda primate tours in the park. Guided night walks offer sightings of nocturnal creatures such as Potto, Spectacled Demidoff’s, and Thomas’s Galagos. This safari activity starts at 8 pm near the park briefing center

Cultural visit

Kibale Forest National Park is surrounded by different communities, each offering its different unique experience to tourists. While on your cultural visit tour here, you’ll have the chance to interact with the Batoro and Bakiga communities living around the park.

What is the best time to go for a safari in Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park can be done at any time of the year but the best time to have the fun of this activity is during the dry season which happens from December to February and June to September. During the dry season, the roads leading to the park are passable, there is little or no rainfall, the forest is less dense making chimpanzees be easier seen, and the trails are not muddy. For bird watchers, the best time to visit the park is during the months of March to May and September to November, when migratory birds from Europe arrive. During these periods, the forest is full of fruit, providing abundant food for the birds, and many of them display their colorful breeding plumage. Visitors can enjoy a rich variety of bird species, making it a prime time for avid birdwatchers.

Where to stay in Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park has got affordable accommodations that cater for a large group of individuals. The accommodation facilities range from Budget, mid-range to luxury levels. Some of these includes Mountains of the Moon Hotel, Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, Ndali Kasenda Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, Amarada Rift Valley Lodge, Chimps Nest, Primate Lodge Kibale, Kibale forest camp, Nyinabulitwa Country Resort among others.

 How to reach to Kibale Forest National Park

To reach Kibale Forest National Park, located in the Kabarole district of western Uganda, you can drive there from Kampala. The journey takes about 5 to 6 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Two main routes are available: you can travel via Mubende to Fort Portal or take the route through Masaka and Mbarara to Kamwengwe. For a comfortable trip, it’s best to use a 4×4 safari vehicle, which is well-suited for the roads in the area.