Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest national park, also known as the chimpanzee capital, is situated in Kamwenge district in western Uganda. The national park covers a total land area of 795 square kilometers and is a home of different wildlife species including forest elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, bush pigs, duikers, 13 primate species including 1,500 chimpanzees, grey cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, bush babies and over 375 bird species like the great blue turaco to thrill while on Uganda Tours.
Activities in the Kibale Forest national park
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the primary safari activities available to visitors in Kibale National Park. In Kibale forest national park, chimpanzee trekking begins early in the morning with a briefing on the rules and regulations to observe during the trek. Following the briefing, you will be divided into six-person groups, each of which will be assigned a habituated chimpanzee family to trek with and an experienced park guide. Depending on where the chimpanzees are located, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park can last between 30 minutes and four hours. This is because chimpanzees are constantly on the move in quest of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primates such as black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and various bird species, among others, and once the chimpanzees are located, you will be permitted to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat, allowing you to learn more about their behaviors, habits, and watch them feed, breastfeed, hunt, play, fight, rest, mate, and take photos and videos.
Chimpanzee habituation experience
Chimpanzee habituation is an additional fascinating activity in Kibale forest national park, where Chimpanzees are trained to become accustomed to humans for trekking. Chimpanzee habituation in Kibale forest national park takes two to three years, and the experience begins with a briefing at the Kanyachu park headquarters very early in the morning. After the briefing, you will be assigned a park guide and begin trekking through the forest in search of the chimpanzees. Once you find them, you will be permitted to spend four hours with them in their natural habitat, where you will be able to learn and observe their behaviors, habits, and daily activities, as well as take photos.
Bird watching
Over 374 recorded bird species, including Albertine rift endemics, forest birds, and migratory birds, make Kibale Forest National Park one of the finest birding destinations in Uganda. During bird watching, you will be accompanied by an experienced bird guide and follow different birding trails where you will be able to spot various bird species, such as the African pitta, Cassins Spinetail, Blue Headed Bee-eater, Nahan’s Francolin, Masked Apalis, Great Blue Turaco, African Pied Wagtail, Pin-tailed Wydah, Slender-billed Weaver, Tropical Boubou, Purple Breasted Sunbird, Blue
Nature walks/ hiking
In Kibale forest national park, a nature walk is an exciting activity that allows visitors to explore the park on foot with an experienced park guide and an armed ranger guide to protect them from any risk. During the guided nature walk, you will be able to view various primate species, birds, colourful butterflies, mammals, plant and tree species, listen to the sweet sounds of bird species singing in the trees, appreciate the cool breeze, and take stunning photographs, among other things. During the guided nature trek in Kibale forest national park, you will also have the opportunity to explore Bigodi wetland, where you can observe a variety of bird species, primates, and other animals.
Cultural tour
In Kibale forest national park, tourists will have the opportunity to interact with the Bakiga and Batoro in the neighboring communities during a cultural excursion. During the cultural excursion, you will be able to learn about the culture and way of life of the local people, as well as visit their homesteads and farmlands and view their traditional performances, among other things.
Best time to visit Kibale forest national park
The best time to visit Kibale Forest National Park is during the dry season, also known as the high season, which spans June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. As there is less precipitation in the park during the dry season, the nature walk and chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and navigable, making trekking easier.
It is also possible to visit Kibale Forest National Park during the wet season, from March to May and October to November, because this is the ideal time for birdwatchers to see colorful and migratory bird species.
Where to stay in Kibale forest national park
Primate Safari Lodge, Chimpundu Lodge, Ataco Country Resort, Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Chimp Nest Lodge, Isunga Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, Kibale Guest Cottages, Kyaninga Lodge, Kibale Safari Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Mountain of the Moon Hotel, Papaya Lake Lodge, Rwetera Safri Lodge, and Rwetera Safri Lodge are among the Accommodations in Kibale National Park
How to get to Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest national park is located in the western part of Uganda and can be reached by road from Kampala via Mubende, Fort Portal, and the park headquarters, which takes approximately six to seven hours.
Kibale forest national park can also be reached by air via scheduled or charter flights with Aerolink Uganda or Bar aviation from Entebbe international airport o Kasese or Semuliki airstrip to Kibale forest national park.
Kibale forest national park offers Uganda safari activities that can be combined with other activities to create unforgettable experiences, such as gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, wildlife viewing in Murchison falls national park and Queen Elizabeth national park, boat cruises, and night game drives, among others. Please contact us for more information on our numerous safari packages.