Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale: With lush tropical rainforest and a fascinating diversity of animals, the 795 square km Kibale Forest National Park is one of the most beautiful and stunning forests in Uganda.
It is part of the wider Kibale Conservation Area, which consists of Kibale National Park, the Semuliki National Park, and the Toro-Semliki and Katonga Wildlife Reserves. Kibale is not only the most common destination for chimpanzee trekkingin Uganda but also in East Africa at large.
It is situated 20 km southeast of Fort Portal. It spreads in four districts: Kyenjojo, Kamwenge, Kasese, and Kabarole. Two main roads cross the National Park: the Fort Portal – Mubende – Kampala road and the Fort Portal – Kamwenge – Mbarara road. These roads divide the park into the Northern, Central, and Southern sectors. There are three official access points to the Primate Capital of the world. One is Kanyawara, Kanyanchu, and Sebitoli on the Fort Portal-Kampala road.
The forest is worth protecting, as it is home to the largest number of man’s closest living relative, the endangered chimpanzee, as well as the threatened colobus and L’hoest monkey. The forest had one of the highest diversity of primates in the world, totalling 13 species, including the black and white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey, red-tailed monkey, bush babies, and pottos. Kibale is listed as one of the 30 important bird areas in Uganda.
At least 372 species of birds, occurring in 58 families, have been listed. Those that are under threat are the olive long-tailed cuckoo, the red-faced woodland warbler, and the purple-breasted sunbird, among others.
Common birds include black and white casqued hornbill, crowned eagle, great blue turaco, and grey parrot. Reptiles and amphibians are also abundant, but relatively little is known about them. The invertebrates include 45 species of forest swallowtail and Charaxes butterflies. There is an impressive number of mammals, such as the forest elephants, buffaloes, bushpigs, duikers, and bats.
The communities around the park are composed of Batooro and immigrant Bakiga. They are primarily subsistence farmers who grow bananas, sweet potatoes, and other crops. Community tours through local community groups are organized to boost the Kibale Forest experience.
There are organized excursions to the Chimps leaving from Kanyanchu. The morning walk is reported to offer a better opportunity to see the primates, usually to be found in the fig trees.
A community-based organization called KAFRED (Kibale Association For Rural Development) supports ecotourism initiatives and manages Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary alongside the Magombe swamp. The swamp is located 3 km past the Kibale Forest towards Bigodi. Guided swamp walks along a trail with boardwalks are a memorable experience here. The swamp is rich with a variety of vegetation. The prominent vegetation is papyrus.
Along the boardwalks, red colobus monkeys, black & white colobus monkeys, and great blue turacos are a sight to behold. Make sure that you take precautions against the red ant army that might ascend on your legs by wearing boots and tucking trousers into socks.
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