Activities to do in Kibale Forest National Park : Kibale Forest National Park is located in southwestern part of Uganda, lies at an altitude of 1,590m and 1,100m above sea level along the East African Rift Valley near the Ndali Kasenda crater. The national park is renowned for its stunning biodiversity and lush landscape, making it a premier destination for wildlife enthusiast and nature lovers. Kibale National Park was first identified as a forest reserve in 1932 because of its great bio-diversity before finally being made a game park in the 1990’s. The park has become the primates’ capital of Uganda and to a great extent East Africa and it covers an area of approximately 766 square kilometers. The numerous tree species (over 350) that spread along the vast plains and plateaus include pre-montane forest that are found nowhere in East Africa.
The park also has montane and lowland forests that include endangered species like lovoa swynnertonnii, cordia millenii and entandrophragma. The tall trees that stand at an average of 55m bring over 1700mm of rainfall annually facilitating the group of dense ferns, herbs and grasses, which is the home to a large population of chimpanzees, with over 1,500 individuals inhabiting the park, making it one of the best spots in the world for chimpanzee tracking. Visitors can partake in guided treks to obverse these fascinating primates and learn about their behaviors and social structures.
In addition to chimpanzees, Kibale Forest National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife including over 13 species of primate such as red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus and grey-cheeked mangabey, L’Hoest monkeys, Vervet monkey and Olive baboons. The park also boasts more than 350 species of birds, making its a paradise for birdwatching. other notable fauna includes forest elephants, bush pigs and a variety of reptiles and butterflies. Kibale national park is not only in wildlife but also offers visitors a chance to engage with the surrounding communities. cultural experiences such as visits to local villages, allows tourists to learn about the traditions and lifestyles of the Batoro and Bakiga people.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking is the main highlight of nay trip to the Kibale forest, the chimpanzee tracking is an activity which involves trekking through the lush forest of kibale in foot in search for these intelligent creatures in their natura habitat. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park is conducted in two sections that’s morning (a.m.) and afternoon (p.m.) and its starts by a briefing at the park headquarters about the guiding rules and regulations and expectation during the trek and thereafter you will be allocated an experienced guide who will lead you through the forest in search these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat. during a Uganda chimpanzee tracking safari in Kibale, you will also encounter with other creatures that dwell in the forest such as primates like red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus and grey-cheeked mangabey, L’Hoest monkeys, Vervet monkey and Olive baboons, animals such as bats, bush pig, giant forest hogs, elephants, forest buffaloes, leopards as well as colorful birds and flowering plants among others. Upon encountering with these intelligent primates, you will be allowed to one hour interaction with them in their natural habitat while observing how the carry their daily activities like breastfeeding, feeding, swaging along the trees, as well as playing among others. For one to participate in this trilling activity at Kibale National Park, you need to purchase a chimpanzee tracking permit which allows you to get access to them at a cost of $250 per person for foreign non-residents, $200 for foreign residents, and shs180,000 for East African citizens. These rates include guided fee, park entrance fee, and community development contribution.
Birdwatching
Kibale is a birders paradise with over 375 bird species. While on a birdwatching tour in Kibale Forest, you have the chance to spot a variety of bird species such as Abyssinian Ground thrust, 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 among other.
Primate tracking
Primate tracking in Kibale National Park is a unique and exhilarating experience. guided treks usually begin early in the morning at 8:00a.m and the afternoon at 2:00 p.m., all these treks start at he parks headquarters in Kanyanchu visitor center where you will recivee a brief briefing about the trekking procedures and the expectations along the way. During the primate tracking in Kibale forest national park, you’ll have an opportunity to encounter different animals such as chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus and grey-cheeked mangabey, L’Hoest monkeys, patas monkeys, pottos, Vervet monkey and Olive baboons, animals such as bats, bush pig, giant forest hogs, elephants, forest buffaloes, leopards as well as colorful birds and flowering plants among others
Chimpanzee habituation experience
Chimpanzee habituation experience is the most done activity in Kibale Forest National Park by tourists. Chimpanzee habituation is the process of gradually acclimating wild chimpanzees to human presence, allowing researchers and tourists to observe them in their natural environment without disturbing their daily activities. This process typically takes several months, or even years, as it is essential for the chimpanzees to feel comfortable and safe around humans. Chimpanzee habituation in Kibale Forest National Park begins in the morning at 8:30 am at Kanyachu visitor’s center with a short briefing about rules and regulations of chimpanzee habituation before an armed ranger guide leads you into the forest to search for these primates. chimpanzee habituation in Kibale forest national park takes 4 -4 hours depending on the location of these primates. Chimpanzee habituation experience is also done in Kibale Forest National Park and it costs $300 per person for foreign non-residents, $250 per person foreign residents while citizens of east Africa pay UGX 250,000. The rates include a guide fee and park entrance fees for 4 hours with the chimpanzees.
Activities to do in Kibale Forest National Park : Wildlife viewing
Apart from the primates and birds, Kibale National Park is home to 14 snake species, over 200 butterfly species, 27 frog species and over 20 types of reptiles. Kibale National Park has nearly 70 species of mammal among which include bats, bush pig, giant forest hogs, elephants, forest buffaloes, leopards, hippopotamus, bushbuck antelopes, red/blue duikers, sitatungas semi aquatic antelopes, warthogs, African golden cats, mongooses and the occasionally spotted hyenas. During your wildlife viewing safari in the park, you’ll have the chance to views this incredible wildlife up close in their natural habitat.
Activities to do in Kibale Forest National Park : Forest walks
Forest walks is one of the best ways you can explore the hidden gems of the forest including the up-close view of the forest biodiverse. Forest walks in Kibale National Park involves on walk through the lush tropical forests in search for its wildlife and plants. This thrilling activity can be conducted at Sebitoli or Kanyanchu. Regardless of which section of the park you choose to start your walk, you will be treated to the full spectacle of tropical forests, grasslands, swamps and rivers. For those interested in observing how the local people go about their daily lives and work in the gardens a walk through Nyaibanda, Nyakalongo and Kikoni villages would be perfect. The park also offers a night walks foe visitors who wish the explore the darkness of the forest with its nocturnal animals. during your night walk, you will have the chance of spotting the nocturnal species such as pottos, bush babies and other rare birds that are only active at night.
Activities to do in Kibale Forest National Park : Cultural tours
For those interested in experiencing the local culture, there are a lot of activities worth taking. The Batoro are the dominant tribe living near the park and visiting them should be top on the list for anyone interested in a cultural experience. The Batoro are a proud people with a rich heritage, culture, history and a King called the Omukama. Another tribe you might want to visit are the Bakiga. The Bakiga are known as hardworking people who rely on subsistence farming of various local foods and particularly the famous Matoke. They were welcomed to the area by the Batoro as migrants and their population has since increased. One of the best ways to experience an African culture is to visit a local family or an organized cultural center where you get to learn about the local dances, language, food and ancient stories. The Bakiga and Batoro have benefited a lot from tourism activities in the region.
How to get to Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park is located on the western side of the country in Kabarole district and can be accessed by road transport from Kampala via Mubende – fort portal or Kampala via Masaka – Mbarara to Kamwengwe to Kibale which takes you about 5-6 hours’ drive in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle. For those who want to explore the country through aerial adventure, there are various domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport or in kajjansi airstrip to Kasese airport or Mweya airstrip located in Queen Elizabeth National Park thereafter you can use road means to Kibale National Park
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about tourist activities in Kibale National Park, and then book with our tours and travel companies, such as Achieve Global Safari, who offer the best tour packages while on your safari in Uganda.
