Kibale Forest National Park Blossoms in the Western part of Uganda. It is referred to as the Capital Primates of the World and the best place to Trek Chimpanzee in East Africa. Kibale National Park is not only Aroma to 1500 Chimpanzees but also Harbors 324 Species of Birds indentified, 250 Species of Trees and Shrubs Identified, 144 Species of Butterflies Identified, and other identified numbers of 12 Primate Species. Kibale National Park Covers 766 square kilometers and protecting Moist Evergreen Rainforest in Uganda and East Africa, (296sqm) in Size located between 1,100meters (3,600ft) to 1,600meters (5,200ft) in Elevation.
Activities in Kibale Forest National Park
Chimpanzee trekking
Kibale forest national park is the best place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, east Africa and Africa where you are given 100% of meeting the closest of human being chimps in its natural habitat that will reward you with unforgettable and ultimate experience. Kibale is referred to as the” primate capital of the world” and its popular known for habituated chimpanzee in the world read for tracking.
This excursion is quiet adventure that only keeps the adrenaline pumping but pleasant the challenges in terrain with obstacles to encounter with the chimpanzees in their natural environment within the tropical rain forest of kibale national park. While on your guided nature walk in the tropical rain forest in search of chimps, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, bush baby and many others are seen while caring out trekking.
Kanyantere community group has 120 individuals and its 30 years old and always ready for travelers for chimpanzee trekking in kibale forest and it is the first to group that was introduced in kibale forest national 30 years back for tourism.
Chimpanzee habituation experience in kibale forest national park
Chimpanzee habituation experience is the one of the exciting activities within kibale forest national park. Here you will learn the lifestyles and behaviors of chimpanzee the closest relative of human of being sharing 98.7 genetic material, you spend full day walking through the forest, the ranger guides will educate you the life and behaviors of chimps and also learn the flora and fauna in the park.
You will witness how chimps’ de- nest their nocturnal nest (something they do each morning), feed, groom the young, play and construct nest in the evening etc. there are 13 species of primates including Black and White Colobus monkeys, red colobus monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys, Baboons, Bush Baby and abundant chimpanzee. While over 325 avian species are recorded in kibale 144 species of butterflies and many more.
Chimpanzee starts early morning at 6:00am and end 7:00am in kibale while learning with kisongi community group with of 180 individuals and it was established in 2018 for habituation experience and its now for travelers that are ready for habituation experience in kibale forest national park, and many other groups are still under habituation but still wild like burange community group soon to be introduced for tourism and habituation experience.
Bigodi swamp walks for primate watching, birding and then community visit.
Bigodi swamp is the community based organized that was started by organized group of few individuals 20 years with the aim of promoting tourism in the community. The sanctuary offers great birding opportunities and nature walks while learning identifying and viewing different birds and primates and then after swamp you can participate in the village walk to Bigodi community you have chanced to mix with the African traditions in terms of lifestyles and entertainment with their cultural dances and learning their culture heritages and customs.
How to get kibale National Park
Kibale National park is located in Western part of Uganda in Districts of Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyenjonjo and Fort Portal Tourism City it is Accessible from kampala/Entebbe from North Route through Mityana, Mubende ,Kyegegwa, Kyenjonjo District Road and you can also use Kampala Masaka, Mbarara Ibanda-Kamwenge then to Kanyanchu Visitation Centre of kibale National Park where most Activities are done like Chimp Trekking, Chimp Habituation Experience, Primate Walk and Community Swamp Walk along Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for Primates and Home of Great Blue Turacco Bird Species. Uganda Chimpanzee Experience Travelers Mostly use the Northern Route because it is shorter and faster with the distance of 358km with Tarmac Road to kibale National Park Kanyawara Head Office and Kanyanchu visitation point.
Kibale forest National Park has the Highest Number of Primates in Uganda, East Africa and Africa. With 13 Species of Primates Identified as Chimpanzees, the Closest Relative of Human being sharing 98.7% Genetic material. Kibale has 1500 Chimpanzee which proves Uganda’s biggest number of this Endangered Species. Kibale is Also a home of Rare I’Hoest’s monkey as well as East Africa biggest population of Endangered Red Columbus monkeys, Red Tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Olive baboon, Bush baby among others with a number of mammals like forest Buffaloes, forest Elephants, Bush pig, and many others like Reptiles and Amphibians
Travelers can also choose to fly from Kajansi Airfield or Entebbe Airport. It’s a domestic flight with Aero link and it takes 45-50minutes to Kasese Air Strip in Nyankasanga and from there you can be picked up driven to kibale National Park by Road.