Many places in Uganda are worth adding on your program but few will capture your attention like Kibale Forest National Park, known as the “Primate Capital of the World”. While the chimpanzees are the first thing that come to travelers’ minds when you mention this spectacular Protected Area, there is more to this safari destination than just our closest relatives in the animal Kingdom.
Kibale Forest National Park location
Located in the western part of Uganda, Kibale Forest National Park protects one of the vastest tracts of Tropical rainforests in the country and these range in altitudes of 1100 to 1600 meters above sea level. This Park is also not far from the spectacular Ndali-Kasenda Crater Area hence making it possible for travelers to combine primate treks with Crater tours. Also, Kibale is just 2-4 hours’ drive from Queen Elizabeth (depending on the route), about 3-4 hours from the Rwenzori Mountains and Semliki National Parks.
Kibale Forest National Park History
First becoming a Forest Reserve in 1932, Kibale was then upgraded into a National Park in 1993 and the main reason of gazetting it was to protect an extensive forested region that was initially managed as a logged Forest Reserve. Since then, Kibale Forest National Park has been providing safe home to its rich biodiversity of both lowland and montane forests.
Kibale National Park Size and vegetation
This 795-square-kilometer Protected Area is one of the largest Tropical rainforests in Uganda with 75% of its vegetation cover being a medium altitude moist ever-green rainforest. However, savannah grasslands are also found along its ridges and summits. This National Park also makes a continuous forest with Queen Elizabeth National Park thus forming a 111-mile wildlife corridor.
What to see in Kibale Forest National Park
Wildlife
Kibale Forest National Park is an untouched haven boasting a rich diversity of wildlife species that include 70 mammal species that include over 13 species of primates. It is from here that Kibale got its title of the “Primate Capital of the World”. Over 1500 of Uganda’s 5000 chimpanzees are found in Kibale Forest National Park. Majority of these chimpanzees have been habituated for tourism and this makes Kibale Forest one of the best chimpanzee trekking destination in the East African region. Other primates that you are likely to see in this Protected Area are Ugandan red colobus monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, Pottos, Vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, Olive baboons, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, bush babies, L’Hoests monkeys and blue monkeys among others.
Besides primates, Kibale Forest National Park also protects common warthogs, bush pigs, African golden cats, forest elephants, Mongoose, Forest buffaloes, blue and red duikers, serval cats, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, Otters, and Sitatunga, to mention but a few.
Birds
A total of375 bird species live in Kibale Forest National Park and these include the rare Green-breasted Pitta, Brown-chested alethe, Abyssinian ground thrush, western tinkerbird, Lowland-masked Apalis, Blue-breasted kingfisher, Olive long-tailed Cuckoo, Purple-breasted sunbird, black-eared ground thrush, yellow spotted nicator, yellow rumped tinker bird, crowned eagle, Black-capped Apalis, red-faced woodland warbler, black bee-eaters, Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, the African pitta, blue-headed sunbird, Dusky Crimsonwing, blue breasted kingfishers, Eastern Nicator, little greenbuls, and many others.
Things to do
Chimpanzee trekking and Habituation Experience
With a chimpanzee permit of $200 per person, you can get the chance to meet face-to-face with mankind’s closest relatives in the animal Kingdom. Chimpanzee trekking here is done in two sessions- morning and afternoon sessions, with each starting with briefing at Kanyanchu Reception Center. You then join Rangers for the 1-4 hours’ walk searching for these Great Apes. When found, make good use of your one hour to learn about them, observe and take as many photos as possible.
Also possible in this Park is the life-changing “chimpanzee Habituation Experience” at $250 per person where you get the chance to spend a full-day with these extraordinarily intelligent creatures from the time they leave their nests in the morning to when they make nests in the evenings.
Village walks and Cultural experiences
Kibale Forest National Park is surrounded by two main tribes- The Batoro (who are the dominant) and the Bakiga, who have different cultures and traditions. During the village tours, you will get the chance to immerse yourself into their culture and traditions by tasting their local cuisines, taking part in traditional dances, admiring their homesteads and so much more. During these tours, you can also about herbal medicines from the traditional healer, take part in school and health center tours, and so much more.
Birding tours
Birding tours are also provided in Kibale Forest National Park and these introduce visitors to the sights and sounds of the elusive green-breasted pitta, woodland warbler, grey-winged robin, red-winged francolin, red-faced woodland warbler, grey-throated flycatcher, Abyssinian ground thrush, African Pitta, Purple-breasted sunbird, Black bee-eaters and many others.
Forest walks
Forest walks in Kibale Forest National Park are guided and make it possible for visitors to discover more about this Protected Area- its exceptional tree species, mammals, butterflies, reptiles and others. There are high chances of seeing the different snake species, colorful butterflies species, forest elephants, bushbucks, buffaloes, Sitatunga, giant forest hogs and duikers, to mention but a few. The night forest walks are a perfect opportunity to see tree hyraxes, bush babies, Pottos and leopards.
When is the best time of the year to visit Kibale Forest National Park?
Kibale Forest National Park is open for visitation throughout the year. However, the dry months of January, February, June, July, August and December are usually crowded because they experience warmer temperatures and reduced rainfall levels. This means forest trails are less muddy and slippery hence preferred choice for travelers.
If you don’t wish to contend with crowded forest trails and accommodation facilities, then you will consider visiting during the months of March, April, May, September, and November. However, these are rainy months marked by heavy rains, muddy and slippery trails thus providing more challenging hiking conditions. However, remember that the northern side of this Park is a dense rainforest that receives rains of up to 1700 mm per pear meaning chances of experiencing rains even in the dry months is high.
Where to stay
Primate Safari Lodge is a wonderful choice if you wish to stay inside the Park (It’s just 5-minute walk from the Kanyanchu Visitor Center). The advantage here is experiencing surprise visits from primates including chimpanzees. However, this Park has other wonderful lodging options that include Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Isunga Safari Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Chimps’ Nest, Kibale Forest Camp, Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge, Kibale Forest Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, Mountains of the Moon Hotel, Nyinabulitwa Resort and Safari Camp, Kanyanchu River Camp, and many others.
What to pack when visiting Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park is dominantly a tropical rainforest and most of its activity are centered on walking and for this reason, don’t forget to carry lightweight safari pants, long-sleeved shirts, insect repellant, sunglasses, a safari hat, sunscreen, a lightweight and waterproof backpack, a nice and comfortable pair of hiking boots, energy-giving snacks, a re-usable water bottle, gardening gloves, gaiters and a first aid kit. Also don’t forget toiletries (toothpaste and toothbrush, hand and body lotion, hand sanitizer, and others).
Getting there
Kibale National Park is in the southeastern side of Fort Portal, within western Uganda. You can reach this Park by air or road. Flight from Entebbe International Airport/Kajjansi Airstrip to Kasese Airstrip take one hour then you will drive another 2 hours to Kibale Forest National Park.
You can use two routes to Kibale Forest National Park using road transport. The shorter and most-used is 5-6 hours from Kampala to Mityana, Mubende, Fort Portal until Kibale Forest National Park. The longer route is 6-7 hours from Kampala to Masaka, Mbarara and Fort Portal then to the Park.