Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is located in western Uganda in Kabarole district covers an area of 766 sq kilometers. The park is near Fort Portal city where the palace of the Batooro king is found. The national park has one of the richest ecosystems in the whole of Africa. It contains over 340 birds species, 14 species of sakes, 27 species of frogs and toads, at least 20 species of other reptiles and at least 200 species of butterflies. Other animals to be seen here include: chimpanzee, elephant, bush pig, giant forest hog, bats and rodents, etc.

Kibale National Park is a primatologist’s dream. It hosts a population of more than 1,000 chimpanzees, of which one 80-strong community has been habituated to tourist visits, as well as half-a-dozen readily observed monkey species, including the acrobatic red colobus and black-and-white colobus, and the handsome L’Hoests monkey.

A fairly new park, Kibale in essence is a migratory route and corridor between Queen Elizabeth National park and parks to the north such as Murchison Falls National Park. Probably the most accessible of Uganda’s large forests it is home to  large diversity of flora and fauna and secret trails, within it’s recesses, pounded by generations of elephant, giving credit to old wives tales of ‘elephant grave yards’ and big tusked, solitary bulls. Chimpanzee groups have been habituated and can be visited with relative ease.

Wildlife in Kibale National Park

The most accessible of Uganda’s major rainforest. Kibale is home to a remarkable 13 primate species, including the localized red colobus and L’Hoests monkey. Kibale’s major attraction, however, is the opportunity to track habituated chimps, these delightful apes, more closely related to man than to any other living creature, are tremendous fun to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees. A network of shady forest trails provides much to delight botanists and butterfly lovers, while birders are in for a treat with 335 species which include the endemic Prirogrine’s.
With lush tropical rainforest and fascinating diversity of animals, Kibale National park is one of the most beautiful and stunning forests in Uganda. Kibale forest is certainly worth protecting as it is home to the largest number (in Uganda) of chimpanzee, as well as the THREATENED red colobus monkey and the rare L’hoest monkey. The forest has one of the highest diversity and density of primates in Africa totaling 13 species including the black and white colobus, blue monkey and grey – cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkey, bush babies and pottos. The park also hosts over 325 species of birds including the yellow spotted nicator, yellow rumped tinkerbird, little greenbul, green breasted pitta, the African pitta, the crowned eagle and the black bee – eater.

Activities to do in Kibale National Park

Chimpanzee trekking and habituation

This is one of the most done activity in Kibale National Park as the visitors get an opportunity to get close to the wild chimpanzees. Chimpanzee tracking is mainly done in two sessions that is to say the morning and afternoon session. The Morning session starts at 8 am and the afternoon starts at 2 pm. Both sessions start with briefing from the head park ranger guiding you about the rules and regulations of chimpanzee tracking.

After briefing the trackers leave for forest in a group of 6 people each accompanied by park guide and for habituation each group has 4 people. The activity takes an hour and for habituation, it lasts for 4 hours. Both activities start from Kanyanchu visitors center. During chimpanzee trekking and habituation you will encounter other primates like olive baboons, red colobus, black and white colobus and red tailed monkeys. Both experiences offer an opportunity to observe chimpanzees feeding, breast feeding, patrolling and copulating.

Bird watching

Kibale National Park hosts 370 bird species including 6 that are native to the Albertine Rift area, for instance, purple-breasted sunbird, dusky crimson wing, red-faced woodland warbler, black-capped apalis, collared apalis and blue-headed sunbird. The park also holds four endemic bird species like blue headed bee-eater, Nahan’s Francolin, Masked Apalis, and Cassin’s Spine tail.

Other species include; blue-breasted kingfisher, brown chested alethe, African pitta, black bee-eater, green breasted pitta, Red faced barbet, yellow rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, Pin tailed whydah, Abyssinian ground thrush, crowned eagle, yellow spotted nicator, Double toothed barbet, black-eared ground thrush, and Great blue turaco. Birding in Kibale National Park is often carried out from Kanyanchu visitors center and Bigodi swamp.

The Bigodi nature walk offers the best birding safaris  opportunities in the park as the swamp alone has approximately 138 bird species. It’s also famous for wildlife such as chimpanzees, red colobus, black and white colobus, red tailed monkey, bushbuck as well as mongoose.

Cultural tours

Kibale National Park is surrounded different tribes for instance the Bakiga who migrated from southwestern Uganda and the Batooro. There are also cultural sites which are close to the park like Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru, and Kings palace in Fort Portal. By the lead of the local guide tourists get an opportunity to visit traditional villages, local schools and traditional healers which offers a glimpse in the traditional life of the Batooro. You will also enjoy some energetic traditional dances and songs by the Bakiga.

Crater lakes tour

Kibale National Park is surrounded by 50 different crater lakes which are also surrounded by steep sioded volcanoes. These volcanoes are found in Ndali-Kasenda area near Fort Portal city. Tourists hike through the top of the world so as to have great views of the crater lakes which pass through the tea plantations and villages. Some other sightings that seen during hiking include; Kichwamba escarpment of the western rift valley, Mount of moons, Kibale rainforest and lake George.

Primate Walk

The ancient rainforest is the home of roughly half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Looking deep into the expressive brown eyes of the gentle giants is surely the most exciting wildlife encounter in Africa. This national park has 90 mammal species including 11 primates, and the prominent black and white colobus, with its lovely flowing white tail.

The forest birding ranks best in Uganda with 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemic present. The activities include Chimpanzee tracking as the main attraction and permits must be booked in advance. Also available are guided forest walks, one popular trail leads to a pretty waterfall and others focus on birding and monkey viewing. Kibale can also be added on your gorilla safari itinerary as you head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. 

How to access Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park can be accessed by road or air transport depending on the travelers choice. By road from Kampala city, the park is 337 km (5-6 hour drive) using Kampala- Mubende- Fort Portal road. When you reach in Fort Portal city drive 26 km south west to Kanyanchu visitors center. By air, you can book domestic flights with Aero link to Kasese or Nyakisharara airstrip in Mbarara. Upon reaching on these airstrip the company guide will pick you up and drive you to Kibale National Park. The journey takes about 2 hours drive.

Accommodation in Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park has a variety of accommodation ranging from budget to mid range and luxury. Some of these facilities include; Kyaninga lodge, Chimpanzee forest lodge, Chimpundu lodge, and Crater safari lodge.