Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is among the 10 National Parks in Uganda and is a blessed forested area that harbours the rare Chimpanzee Species. Kibale National park inhabits the largest number of chimpanzees in Uganda and happens to be the main national park of the primates where one can have a live encounter with the primates.

Kibale National Park is located in the western part of Uganda and it protects the moist evergreen rainforest. The park is approximately 800 square Kilometres in size and it’s located between 1,200 metres to 1,650 metres in elevation.

Kibale National Park contains both Montane and lowland. It was gazetted in 1934 and established in 1993 to protect the large area of forest which is managed as a logged forest reserve. The park is located close to Queen Elizabeth National park, creating a 190 kilometres wildlife corridor. The park is an eco-tourism and the best safari destination. It’s very famous as mentioned above as a home to the habituated chimpanzees and primate species.

The main tribes around the Kibale National Park are the Bakiga and Batooro. The park provides fuel, food and other resources however it’s done under the Authorization of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Kibale National park reserve has the highest diversity with a high number of primates in Africa and it is the best home to the endangered species as well as the white and black colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Ugandan red Colobus, Mangabey ,Blue Monkey, Mammals such as blue duikers, bushbucks, sitatunga, giant forest hogs, warthogs, Buffaloes, Bush pigs, elephants which keep moving from the nearby park of Queen Elizabeth National park.

Kibale National park is a hub of bird species such as the Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, African Pitta, Green-breasted Pitta, Afep Pigeon, White-naped Pigeon, Crowned Eagle, Red-chested Owlet, Black Bee-eater, Western Nicator, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Little Greenbul, Brown-chested Alethe, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, and the African Grey Parrot among others. This makes Kibale a birders paradise and therefore a nice place to do Birding safari tours in Uganda.

There are over 300 tree species which are within the tropical forest park, such as the Lovoa swynnertonni, Entandrophragma anglense. The shade torent shrubs and herbs include Pollia Condensata and Palisota Schweinfurthii.

Activities in Kibale National Park

The famous activity in the park is Chimpanzee trekking which most travellers add to their Uganda Primates Safaris and tours. In this park, you can have a chance to spot the chimpanzees in their habitats.

Chimpanzee Habituation: During chimpanzee habituation, you can spend the whole day and enjoy chimpanzee habituation experience. It takes place throughout the whole day, where you have a chance to train the chimpanzees to live close to human beings as they groom each other, play, feed and many more. Kibale National park is the best area for habituation with researchers, guides and trekkers in Uganda. During the habituation, you won’t only see the chimpanzees but also trees, butterflies, bird species and mammals.
Chimpanzee trekking starts early morning after a short briefing at the park headquarters where you get to learn the dos and don’ts. The trek takes 30 minutes to 7 hours to located the chimpanzees and after locating them, you will be given one hour to spend with them as they eat, play and groom each other in their habitant as you observe and take photos.
Bigodi wetland sanctuary tour: Bigodi wetland, is a tropical swamp jungle with some primates and a large number of bird species such as the blue Turaco, tree species, butterflies, palms, wetlands, trees and many more.
Hiking and Nature walk: You can enjoy the nature hiking walks in Kibale forest national park and have great views of rivers, swamps, and the grassland.
Nocturnal forest walks: At night you can enjoy seeing the Pottos, Bushbabies, Tree Pangolins, and other nocturnal mammals.
BushCraft children, this is an activity for children below the age of 15 years. They can opt for bushcraft as their parents are trekking the Chimpanzees, friendly rangers will see the wildlife species, bird species, monkeys.
Visit the Amabere caves: In this activity on your Uganda Tour of Kibale National Park, you have a chance to learn about nature and culture. The area is a stopover for those visiting the Kibale National park.
Nakayima Witch tree: On your way to Kibale National park you can opt for a stopover at Nakayima tree, which is commonly known as the witch’s tree. Some people believe that it has powers to heal, cure infertility, diseases, and relationship failures.

There a number of accommodation facilities to cater for tourists who are their Uganda Tours to Kibale. There lodges at the park range from budget, midrange and luxury. They include Kyaninga safari lodge which overlooks the Crater Lake, Ndali lodge, Crate Lake Safari Lodge which is a luxury lodge and many others.