Best time to visit Kibale National Park : What is the best time to visit Kibale National Park? Kibale National Park, known for its rich biodiversity and home to one of the largest populations of the chimpanzees in Africa, attracts wildlife enthusiasts, researchers and nature lovers from around the world. To make the most of your visit, its essential to consider the timing of your trip, as weather and wildlife activity vary throughout the trip.
The tropical climate and location around the equator ensure that tourism activities take place throughout the year in the park. However, there are two seasons in most countries of the equator – the rainy and dry known as the peak season with each season occurring twice a year. The dry season of December to February is characterized by the short dry spell, typically known for warm temperatures and averaging between 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F). During this time the wildlife such as chimpanzees is very active, making it easier to spot them during the trek, the trails are drier providing more comfortable hiking conditions, and tether area fewer tourists compared to the mid-year season, leading to a more intimate experience. The peak season of June to September is the September longer dry season, these dry months are characterized by little or no rainfall. There is less mud making it easy to drive or take walks within the park.
During the dry season, there is less vegetation cover and thick bushes which allows for easy sighting of animals making for an enjoyable holiday. The months of March to May and late September to November are the low seasons with relatively more rain. This may not be favourable to some clients but birders will find this season appealing as it is the breeding season for birds and several migratory species appear filling the forest with beautiful sounds in perfect green. The ideal times to visit Kibale Forest National Park for excellent trekking conditions and wildlife visibility are during the dry seasons (December to February and June to September) these months provide the opportunities for seeing chimpanzees and others wildlife in their natural habitats.
The shoulder seasons of (march to may and then October to Novembre) offers lush landscapes and fewer crowds, though they come with water condition that necessitate more careful planning. During this time the mud has disappeared and the country as a whole is still very green offering amazing scenery. Ultimately, your choice of travel time will depend on your preferences for weather, crowds and the type of experience you desire in this beautiful park.
Things to do in Kibale National Park
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking is the main highlight of nay trip to the Kibaale 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
Birdwatching
Kibale National Park is known as a birder’s paradise hosting over 374 bird species. During your birdwatching safari in the park, you’ll have the chance to a variety of colorful bird species such as the Abyssinian Ground thrust, African Grey Parrot, Black Bee eater, Black capped Apalis, Black eared Ground Thrust, Blue Breasted Kingfisher, Blue headed sunbird, Brown Chested Alethe, Brown Illadopis, Collared Apalis, Crowned Eagle, Dusky Crimsonwing, Little Green Bul, Purple breasted Sunbird, Red Chested Owlet, Red Faced Woodland Warbler, Scaly breasted Illadopsis, the African Pitta, Western Nicator, White naped Pigeon, Yellow Rumped Tinkerbird and yellow spotted Nicator among others
Nature walks through the Bigodi wetlands and bird sanctuary
Guided walks through the Bigodi wetlands and bird sanctuary are one of the most excellent adventurous walks in the park. Guided nature walk can be arranged to visit the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary within the park. This is one of the best places for bird watching and primates viewing in East Africa and attracting thousands of visitors annually. This trilling walks takes about 2 – 3 hours are walk through the Bigodi swamp which marvels you with astonishing views of over bird species. During the walk through the palm trees and different plants, visitors should expect to have a close view of at least 5 species of primate that dwell in the area. 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. Night walks can also be arranged to see nocturnal animals like pottos, bush babies and other rare birds that are only active at night among others.
Primate walks
Primate walk is one of the most popular activities conducted in the park. Kibale Forest National Park is renowned for its vast number of the primate species holding 13 different species of the primates including chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, L’hoest’s monkeys, Demidoff Galago, grey checked mangabeys, Uganda mangabey, patas monkeys, pottos among others. During your primate walk in Kibale Forest National Park, you’ll have the chance to spot these incredible creatures up close in their natural habitat as well have the opportunities to encounter with other wildlife species that dwell in the forest such as African buffalo, African elephants, bushbucks, duikers, lions, giant forest hogs, sitatungas, bush pigs, leopards, and mongooses among others.
Accommodation in Kibale National Park
A safari holiday is worth remembering if it is spent if at the end of each activity, you had to retire to a comfortable room surrounded by beautiful scenery and clean air. Kibali National Park is blessed with a variety of accommodation facilities. The kinds of accommodation during a Uganda safari in Kibale National Park range from up market, mid-range and budget such as Chimps Nest, Primate Lodge Kibale, Kibale forest camp, Nyinabulitwa Country Resort, and Safari Camp, Kanyanchu River Camp, Mountains of the Moon Hotel, Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, Ndali Kasenda Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, Amarada Rift Valley Lodge, Kyanika Lodge, Isunga Lodge, Kibale Safari Lodge, and Kibale Forest Cottages among others.
