Kibale forest national park

Kibale forest national park is one of the best destinations for primate safaris in Africa and a great habitat for primates hosting a highest chimpanzee population in East Africa, Kibale forest national park is located in western part of Uganda in a drive of about 348 kilometers. This park lies in a drive of about 5-6 hours from Kampala the capital city of Uganda and about 26 kilometers south east of Fort-portal town the nearest developed town in the region, Kibale national park also lies close to the scenic and serene Ndali Kasenda crater area, Queen Elizabeth national park in a hour’s drive, Rwenzori m mountains.

In South border of Kibale forest national park there is Queen Elizabeth national park creating a 180 kilometers long migrating corridor for wildlife, this corridor stretches from the remote Ishasha sector the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth national park to Sebitoli in northern region of Kibale national park. Kibale national park is great wildlife habitat hosting 13 primate species and is popular for hosting a large population of chimpanzees estimated to be over 1450 individuals, primates in Kibale national park include bush babies, L’Hoest’s monkey, red colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboon, blue monkey, Vervet monkeys and Potto. There are other wildlife species living in Kibale forest national park and these include Elephants, Buffaloes, bush Pigs, leopards, duikers, Amphibian species, reptiles and many colorful butterflies.

 Kibale national park is a prime bird habitat in Uganda and a great birding destination hosting over 375 bird species including 6 Albertine Rift Area endemic species living in the dense vegetation of the park. Birds in Kibale national park include Green breasted Pitta, Red-chested owlet, Purple breasted sunbird, African Grey Parrot, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Crowned Eagle, little Greenbul, Black Bee eater, White-naped pigeon, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Western bronze-napped Pigeon, Nahan’s Francolin, Yellow-throated Nicator, White-headed Wood-hoopoe, Red Headed malimbe , Yellow-spotted barbet , Dusky-blue Flycatcher and many more.

Safari activities to do in Kibale forest national park

Chimpanzee tracking

Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale national park is the main safari activity done in the park, chimpanzee tracking was introduced in Kibale forest national park in 1993 and is offered twice a day that is in the morning and afternoon. Chimpanzee tracking begins with briefing and then hike into the forests of Kibale, chimpanzees are usually found in the territory where they spent the previous night and when you find the chimpanzee you are allowed to stay in their presence only for 1 hour. In one hour you get to observe the behaviors of the chimpanzees and take pictures as long as your flash light is off.

Chimpanzee habituation

Unlike chimpanzee tracking, chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale national park offers more time in the presence of chimpanzees. Chimpanzee habituation is done together with researchers and guides allowing tourists to stay for a whole day in the presence of chimpanzee, chimpanzee habituation is a process of 2-3 years in which chimpanzee are trained to be used to the presence of human being, on this safaris tourists are free to engage in activities like feeding the chimpanzees, watching then build nests, feeding their young ones and many more.

Bird watching

Kibale national park is a very rewarding birding destination, the forests are a home to over 375 bird species including Albertine Rift Endemics thus making the area a birders paradise. Bird watching in Kibale national park usually starts as early 7:00 am in the morning and while in the forests of Kibale look out for birds such as Grey-throated Flycatcher, Grey-winged Robin, Crested Flycatcher, Blue shouldered Robin Chat, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Black-billed Turaco, White-naped Pigeon, Red-chested Fluff tail, Masked Apalis, Nahan’s Francolin, Tiny Sunbird, and many more.

Nature walks and hiking

Nature walks and hiking safaris in Kibale national park offer maximum time to tour the thick forests of Kibale, this activity is done on a 12 kilometers trail running through the forests of Kibale. On this trail you will enjoy spotting many bird species such as Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Crowned Eagle, and little Greenbul, Black Bee eater, White-naped pigeon, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Western bronze-napped Pigeon, Nahan’s Francolin, Yellow-throated Nicator and many animals such as bush baby, hyrax, potto, serval cat, civet, black and white colobus monkeys, duikers and many more.

Community visits and walks

Community walks and visit in Kibale national park is done in various community visits offering an encounter with local people living on the outskirts of the park and their day today lifestyle, on this experience you will get a chance to visit local schools, Tinka’s place where you get to learn and taste local meals and various women’s projects where you will learn how to make handmade crafts such as baskets, necklaces, pottery pieces which are bought as a way of supporting the local women.

How to get to Kibale forest national park

Kibale forest national park is situated in the western Uganda 26 kilometers south-east of Fort portal the nearest developed town, Kibale national park is accessed using road and air means of transport.

By road – Kibale forest national park is very much accessible from Kampala the capital of Uganda and from Kampala the park is accessed using Kampala – Fort portal via Mubende route, this route is considered the northern route and it is of 300 kilometers from Kampala to Fort portal on a tarmac road  and about 36 kilometers to Kanyanchu on a marram road. Other routes to use from Kampala to Kibale national park is Kampala – Mbarara route and Kampala – Kamwenge route.

By air – daily scheduled flights are offered from Entebbe international airport and Kajjansi airstrip landing at Kasese airstrip, from Kasese you connect to the park by road on a drive of 1 -2 hours. Flights to Kibale Forest national park are offered Aero Link Uganda and Fly Uganda.

Where to stay in Kibale forest national park

In Kibale forest national park there are a number of accommodation establishments that are lodges and camps used by tourists while on their safari in the park, these include establishments are offered as luxury, midrange and budget. Accommodation in Kibale forest national park is got from

• Luxury lodges: Ndali lodge, primate lodge, forest cottages, crater safari lodge, Kyaninga lodge and Papaya Lake Lodge.
• Midrange lodges: chimpanzee forest guest house, chimps nest, Kibale forest camp, mountains of the moon hotel and Rwenzori view guest house.
• Budget accommodation – Lake Nkuruba nature reserve and community campsite and Nyinabulitwa country resort and safari camp