Bwindi Forest Gorilla Tours

Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park : Dubbed as The Primate Capital of the World, Kibale Forest National Park also known as Kibale National Park is one of the safari destinations in Uganda as well as Africa for chimpanzee trekking safaris.

Kibale Forest National Park is a biologically rich region hosting over 120 mammal species including 13 species of primates including chimpanzees, Red-tailed monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, L’Hoest Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Blue Monkeys, Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, Uganda Red Colobus, Demidoff Galago, The Potto, Patas monkey and Uganda Mangabey.

Other wildlife in Kibale include forest elephants among others.  ,

Kibale Forest National Park covers a land area of 795 sq.km with the most beautiful and most diversified tracts of tropical forests in the whole of Uganda, the forest cover is predominate in the central and northern part of the park on the raised Fort Portal Platea. The park’s northern tip is the highest point and stands at 1590 m above sea level.

Location of Kibale National Park

Kibale Forest National Park is located in the western part of Uganda about 348 km (5 hrs drive) from Kampala and about 26km south-east of Fort Portal – a Tourist City, one of the most lovely places to explore in Uganda.

Kibale is located close to the Serene Ndali Kasenda Crater Area and from Queen Elizabeth National Park, it takes a half day’s drive. The park is also situated in close proximity to Semuliki National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park and the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve.

Southern Kibale borders Queen Elizabeth National Park – the most popular Uganda Wildlife Destination and collectively these conserved areas protect a 180 km long migration corridor of wildlife that stretches from the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in “Ishasha” to Sebitoli” in northern Kibale.

Vegetation Areas in Kibale National Park

Kibale Forest National Park protects varied vegetation offering different varieties of wildlife habitat, ranging from the moist evergreen forest (wet tropical forest) along the Fort Portal Plateau, then through the dry tropical forest (moist semi-deciduous), and then to the woodland and savannah along the rift valley floor.

In the central region of the park, around Kanyanchu, the high forest consists of a mixture of evergreen trees and deciduous with the evergreen species being dominant. The vegetation rises to over 55m and establishes a semi-closed canopy of massive stratified tree crowns. With shade tolerant herbs, a variety of ferns, shrubs and a broad leaved forest grasses, the undergrowth is sparse.

Wildlife in Kibale Forest National Park 

Kibale Forest National Park is home to 13 different species and a diversity of primates which is the highest in the whole of Africa, there are over 1450 individuals living in Kibale making it the best destination to do chimpanzee trekking safari.

A Uganda Safari in Kibale Forest National Park enables you to see all these primates, the park is also home to the uncommon L’Hoest’s monkeys, East Africa’s biggest population of the endangered red colobus monkeys, the black & white colobus, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabeys, bush babies as well as potto among many others.

Other wildlife in Kibale Forest National Park include buffaloes, leopards, bush pigs, elephants and duikers, though they hide in the thick forest cover. A keen viewer may also be able to spot some amphibians, reptiles and a variety of colorful butterflies.

Birdlife in Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park is home to over 339 species of birds that have been recorded, the park has the Green breasted Pitta as the most sought-after species along with others. Other birds in Kibale Forest National Park include Chubb’s Cisticola, Black-capped Waxbill, Africa Shrike-flycatcher, African Black-headed Oriole, African Emerald Cuckoo, African Green-pigeon, Black-crowned Tchagra, African Wood Owl, African/Rwenzori/Abyssinian Hill-Babbler, Alpine Swift, Ashy Flycatcher, Barn Swallow, Black Bee-eater, Black Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo-shrike, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Black-and-white Mannikin, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Black-billed Turaco, Black-billed Weaver, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, African Dusky Flycatcher, Black-headed Weaver, Black-necked Weaver, African Citril (Western Citril), Black-throated Apalis, Blue-shouldered Robin-chat, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Blue-throated Roller, African Blue Flycatcher, Bocage’ Bush-shrike, Bronze Mannikin, Zebra Waxbill, Bronze Sunbird, Brown Illadopsis, Brown-capped Weaver, Brown-chested Alethe, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Brown-headed Tchagra, African-pied Wagtail, Cameroon Sombre Greenbul, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Yellow-billed Barbet and Afep Pigeon among others.

Kibale Forest National Park
Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill

Uganda Safari Activities to Do in Kibale Forest National Park

Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking is the biggest drawcard in Kibale Forest National Park, this incredible primate safari activities has been happening in Kibale Forest since 1993. Chimpanzee trekking is done twice a day that is early morning at 08am and afternoon at 2 pm, there you can choose which time is perfect for you to meet the playful chimpanzees.

The excursion starts with briefing at the park headquarters to hear and learn about the expectations while in the forest and about other wildlife in the park, then head into the forest in search for chimpanzees. Normally, trackers go before you and search for where they are located, nestled and then relay ranger guides on this information and lead you towards their location. Remember that chimpanzee keep moving so they give the rangers information on the go.

When you locate the chimpanzees, you are allowed to spend one hour in their presence taking pictures and watching them go on with their life in the forest, groom each and play with each other.

Get ready to walk long distances and carry a long rain poncho because in a tropical forest it can rain anytime, also carry long sleeved shirt, pants, comfortable waterproof boots, binoculars, camera and insect repellant.

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience is perfect for visitors who wish to spend more than one hour with the chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are habituated over a period of 2 years before they get used to humans and then chimpanzee tracking can begin. The CHEX – Chimpanzee Habituation Experience happens every morning every morning and visitors goes along with the rangers and research staff and watch chimpanzees leaving their overnight nests before they start their daily activities, feeding, hunting, copulating, breastfeeding, patrolling and resting.

When the habituation process is done, chimpanzees get used to humans and that family is included on those that can be tracked.

Kibale Forest Hikes/Walking Trail

Kibale Forest Walk trail in Kibale Forest is a 12 km long and hike usually done in the dry season from the month of June to September and mid-November to February, taking between 5 and 6 hours.

Hiking Tours in Kibale Forest offer you an opportunity to discover the park’s assorted habitats such as river line forest, swamp, grassland and tropical rainforest.

Birding in Kibale

Birding in Kibale Forest National Park is a rewarding experience offering visitors an opportunity to spot over 339 birds, birding excursions start every morning. Some of the bird species to lookout for in Kibale Forest National Park include Albertine rift endemics. Morning focus for any birder in Kibale forest is to search for the Green breasted pitta. Other species includeGrey-throated FlycatcherGrey-winged Robin, Crested Flycatcher,Blue shouldered Robin Chat, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Black-billed Turaco, White-naped Pigeon, Red-chested Fluff tail, White-collared Olive-backWhite-bellied, Masked Apalis, Nahan’s Francolin and Tiny Sunbird among others.

Cultural Tors around Kibale

These cultural tours are led by local guides and visitors get a chance to meet the native Batooro People as well as the Bakiga people who stay around the park. On Kibale Cultural Tours you will visit a traditional villages to see the traditional lifestyle of the Batoro, visit the local church, primary school, traditional healer and get a closer encounter with the native people.

You will also be entertained by some energetic traditional dances and songs by the Bakiga.

When to Visit

Kibale National Park is accessible through the year, however the best time to visit is during the dry season when the trails are dry and passable. The dry season runs from December to February and then from June to September, the wettest area in Kibale is the northern area, receiving an average annual rainfall of approximately 1700mm, mainly during March to May and September to November.

The climate in Kibale Forest National Park is usually pleasant with an average annual temperature range of 14C to 27C, the Southern part of the park experiences the maximum temperatures and lower amounts of rains where the terrain drops onto the hot rift valley floor and forests provides way to open grassland.

Routes 

You can get to Kibale Forest National Park by air or road.

By Air – there are domestic scheduled/charter flights to Kasese Airstrip from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip, the flight takes approximately an hour.

By Road – The journey to Kibale Forest National Park is approximately 6 hours via Kampala – Mbarara – Kibale forest via Ibanda and from Queen Elizabeth national park – Kasese – Fortportal – Kibale forest or Queen Elizabeth national park – Kasese – Kasekende craters – Kibale national park.

Where to Stay in Kibale Forest National Park

There are several accommodation options in Kibale ranging from budget, midrange and luxury. These accommodation options include

  • Kyaninga Lodge
  • Mountains of the moon Hotel
  • Rwenzori View Guest house
  • The Dutchess
  • Papaya Safari Lodge
  • Ndali Lodge
  • Primate Lodge
  • Southern Sector
  • Turaco Treetops
  • Chimpanzee Guest house
  • Kibale forest camp
  • Isunga Lodge

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