Kibale National Park
Being the most pre-montane forest in east Africa the park lies on the western edges of the country, containing a diverse array of landscapes. The primate capital of the world is gifted by 13 species chanced enough with a variety of diurnal monkeys but the east African chimpanzees as said to be the forest's most cherished lead the scene. This magnifique eco-tourism and safari destination was gazetted in 1932 and formally established in 1993 to protect the enormous and endangered forest species. The park has become most popular for chimpanzee tracking and other activities like chimpanzee habituation, nature walks, and birding following the famous Kanyanchu Primate Walk. It would uncertain for a nature lover to miss viewing these great apes because the chances of locating them are extremely excellent. The guided walks start at 8 am and 2 pm given an average of three hours, depending on various factors. Kibale national park is home to 120 mammals, including Uganda mangabey, Ugandan red colobus, chimpanzees, elephants, and antelopes. the park hosts about 370 species of birds, with the most 23 Albertine Rift endemics such as the green-breasted Pita, Purple-breasted sunbird, Dusky crimsongwing, The Nahan’s francolin, Cassin's spinetail, blue-headed bee-eater and low-land masked Apalis..the chimpanzee population surges to about 1,500 individuals subdivided into at least dozens of different communities, having 4 habituated to humans.
Activities in Kibale National Park.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
Chimpanzee habituation is the key process of training the most cherished primates to get used to human beings and preparing them to be tracked, habituation is not a month’s activity it can easily go up to 3 years before being official for normal tracking. Uganda has about 5000 chimpanzees and 1500chimpanzees are found in this tremendous forest. It requires one to wake very early and begin the journey to the jungle at 6:30 am with experienced trackers and also joined by researchers and photographers who may need to spend more time with the chimpanzees, the activity lasts for about 6 hours and it’s always key to book the activity in time at least 3 months earlier
Birding
Over 375 bird species are recorded in Kibale National Park with one of Uganda’s most sought-after birds, the olive long-tailed cuckoo, and African and Green-breasted pitta. Birding in Kibale national park happens all year round, and like all other park activities, all tourists shall be accompanied by one of the expert guides.It requires one to wake very early and begin the journey to the jungle at 6:30 am with experienced trackers and also joined by researchers and photographers who may need to spend more time with the chimpanzees, the activity lasts for about 6 hours and it’s always key to book the activity in time at least 3 months earlier
Nature Walks
Apart from the primates, tourists can pick some interest in other residents like the rich historical vegetation, butterflies, and forest elephants which are primarily chaotic and makes sense as to why a ranger guide gives a company the tourists, the forest hogs, and many amphibians and reptiles are also among expectations while having a walk. The park also offers night nature walks that give a chance to see those nocturnal like tree hyraxes and bush babies.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Kibale Park is most famous for its shooting populations of chimpanzees worldwide, and chimpanzee tracking is becoming the most popular activity and ultimate highlight for visitors. For quite some time of conservation and habituation, chances of seeing the chimpanzees rose to about 95%. The activity is twice done in a day and it takes 2-6 hours depending on the location of the animals, slightly different from gorilla tracking. The trek is formulated by a group of 6 tourists accompanied by a ranger guide. It’s a fascinating experience as joy covers the faces and that love for conserving for future generations shall never fade.
Community Visits
Perfectly located in a most traditional region surrounded by various tribes and green vegetation, tourists are chanced to interact with the communities around the park like Bigodi as they have different explanations about their way of living and blissfully enjoying the cultural dances, the Bigodi swamp walk is also a mind freshener for birding and primate viewing
How to reach Kibale National Park?
BY ROAD
The easiest route is driving from Kampala to Kibale via the Mityana route which may cost you 6 hours of driving. However, there are several connections between Queen Elizabeth and Hoima depending on where you are coming from
BY AIR
The park is connected by either scheduled or charter flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airstrip and Murchison falls national park landing to Kasese Airstrip. The flights don’t exceed 2 hours which makes it easier and flexible.