Kibale Forest National Park

Located approximately 350 kilometres from Uganda’s capital, Kampala, Kibale Forest National Park is also known as the primate capital of the world due to its highest population of primates. It covers an area of 766 square kilometres with a size ranging between 1,100 meters and 1,600 meters in elevation. Kibale Forest National Park was gazetted in 1932, and in 1993 it was established to protect a large area of forest.

It is also known as one of the last remaining expanses that consists of the lowland and montane forests. Kibale Forest National Park is mainly surrounded by two tribes, the Batoro and Bakiga migrants, who came all the way from the Kigezi highlands and lived around the park.

Things to do in Kibale Forest National Park.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park

This is one of the tourists’ favourite activities in Kibale Forest National ark. It should be noted that this activity always begins with a briefing early morning at the Kanyanchu tourism information center. As you trek through the forest with high expectations of seeing the chimpanzees, expect to see different primates like vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and L’hoest monkeys, among others.

Coming face-to-face with the chimpanzees is a memorable experience of a lifetime as you get to see them carry out their daily activities, from nursing young ones to looking for food as well as grooming each other. Tourists should take note that after finding these chimpanzees, they will be allowed one full hour with them.

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX)

Chimpanzee accommodation in Kibale Forest National Park is one of the wonderful experiences every tourist should not miss out on their trip into the Pearl of Africa. This activity is so wonderful in a way that here you are allowed more extended hours with these closest relatives of men, say from the time they get out of their nests, start looking for food, grooming, and nursing their young ones till the time they get back to their nests to rest.

Nature walks

These are conducted in Kibale National Park, and this is all made possible with the help of a well-trained ranger guide from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). These nature walks start from the Kanyancu tourism information centre, and a walk through this forest helps you learn more about the forest and its species, for example, about different trees used for medicinal purposes. These walks can be taken by both adults and young people, especially those who are unable to track chimpanzees because of their age.

Bird watching experience

With over 380 bird species in Kibale Forest National Park, tourists who are interested in bird watching find it so easy to do this activity. Notable bird species include the Great Blue Turaco, White-naped pigeon, crowned eagle, black bee-eater, Dusky Crimson Wing, Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, and Western Nicator, among others. Research
Uganda prides itself at large for having Kibale National Park because most students from different universities and other higher institutes of learning carry out their internships and research from here at the Makerere University Biological Field Station located in Kanyawara.

Bigodi Swamp Walk

This is a great opportunity to see other primates that you may have missed during chimp tracking. Notable birds can be seen during this walk, for example, black-eared ground thrush, purple-breasted sunbird, green-breasted pitta, yellow-rumped tinker bird, dusky crimson wing, blue-breasted kingfisher, and black bee eater, among others. Primates that can be spotted include grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, and other animals like warthogs, civet cats, and otters that can be seen during the swamp walk.

Cultural encounter

This involves visiting a community around the national park. During this visit, tourists get to understand the difference between the urban and rural setting in Uganda. Learn more about how people carry out their day-to-day activities and how they have managed to live in this area over the years with agriculture despite raiding from the animals coming from the national park. Tourists can also crown the day by tasting a local coffee from the village as well as Uganda’s traditional meal.

When to Visit

Kibale Forest National Park can be visited throughout the year due to the fact that Uganda has a favourable climate.

Accessibility to Kibale Forest National Park

Road

Kibale National Park is located approximately 350 kilometres from Uganda’s capital, Kampala, and 30 kilometres from Fort Portal, the tourism city.
Air
Tourists who are not willing to use road transport can fly to Kasese airport, where they can be picked up by their tour guide and drive a short distance to Kibale Forest National Park.