Top things to do in Kibale forest national park; Kibale forest national park also known as the chimpanzee capital is located in the western part of Uganda in Kamwenge district. The national park covers a total land area of 795 square kilometers and is a home of different wildlife species including forest elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, bush pigs, duikers, 13 primate species including 1,500 chimpanzees, grey cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, bush babies and over 375 bird species like the great blue turaco to thrill while on Uganda Tours. Kibale forest national park offers a number of interesting safari activities which include,
Top things to do in Kibale forest national park
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is an adventurous and the most famous activity in Kibale forest national park that involves moving into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated chimpanzee family and once found spend one hour with them in their environment. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park starts early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters where after you will start trekking in the forest with a park guide who is well conversant with different chimpanzee trekking trails. Trekking of chimpanzees in Kibale forest national park takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking you will be able to view other primate species like black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, view different bird species, plant and tree species among others. Once the chimpanzees are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, habits, lifestyle, watch them feed, breastfeed, hunt, fight, play, take photos and record the moments to show people back home after the Uganda safari.
Chimpanzee habituation experience
Chimpanzee habituation experience is an interesting activity where the wild chimpanzees are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park takes about 2 to 3 years to be complete and it involves a team of researchers, scientist, park rangers, park guides among others. Chimpanzee habituation starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking at the park headquarters. After the briefing you will start trekking in the forest which takes a whole day and during trekking you will be able to view other wildlife species including primates, birds, plants among others. Once the chimpanzees are found, you will be allowed to spend four hours with the chimpanzees which helps you to watch them feed, breastfeed, hunt, patrol, rest, fight, watch them build new nests among others.
Bird watching
Kibale forest national park is a home of more than 375 recorded bird species including Albertine rift endemics, forest birds, migratory birds among others which make it one of the best birding destinations. During bird watching in Kibale forest national park, you will be accompanied by a well-trained bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species including black eared ground thrush, collared apalis, African pitta, green breasted pitta, blue breasted kingfisher, little greenbul, purple breasted sunbird, black bee-eater, yellow spotted nicator, brown chested alethe, nahans francolin, red faced woodland warbler, dusky crimsonwing, Ruwenzori apalis, red chested owlet, grey parrot, black capped apalis, Abyssinian ground thrush, cassins spinetail, masked apalis, red chested fluff tail among others.
Hiking/ nature walks
Nature walk is an interesting activity in Kibale forest national park where tourists get an opportunity to explore the tropical rainforest on foot with the company of an experienced park guide. During the guided nature walk you will be able to view different animals, primates, variety of bird species, view beautiful butterflies, listen to sweet sounds of bird species in trees among others.
Kibale forest national park also offers nocturnal/ night nature walks where you will be able to explore the park at night with a park guide and spotlight torches for clear viewing of nocturnal animals. During the nocturnal night walk, you will be able to view different wildlife species like tree hyrax, nightjar, pottos, serval cats, bush babies, civet among others.
Best time to visit Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest national park can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season the national park receives less rainfall therefore chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable compared to the wet season when the trails are muddy and slippery which make trekking difficult.
Kibale forest national park can also be visited in the wet season also known as the rainy season during the months of March to May and November because that’s the best period for bird watching where you will be able to view migratory and colorful bird species. During the dry season there is plenty of food for the chimpanzees therefore chimpanzees will easily be located compared to the dry season when tourists move deep into the forest in search of the chimpanzees.
How to get to Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest national park is located in western part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala or Entebbe through Mubende, Fort Portal or Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi road which takes about 5 to 6 hours’ drive in a 4WD safari vehicle.
Where to stay in Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest national park has a number of accommodation facilities where you can stay during your safari. The accommodations range from luxury, midrange and budget including Rwenzori Guest House, Nyabulitwa Country Resort and Safari Camp, Chimpundu Lodge, Chimps Nest, Kibale Forest Camp, Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, Mountains of the Moon Hotel, Ndali Kasende, Primate Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge, Ataco Country Resort, Isunga Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Kibale Safari Lodge, Rweetera Safari Park, Turaco Treetops among others.
For more information about the top things to do in Kibale forest national park, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various safari packages in Kibale forest national park.
