Kibale Forest National Park is referred to as the kingdom of primates and the best destination to stop for chimpanzee trekking safari in Africa. The Park has the highest concentration of primates in East Africa with over 13 species of primates including the chimpanzees among other species. More fact, the park sits on ana area of about 795square kilometers of land, covering with the most beautiful and most diversified tracts of tropical forest in the whole of Uganda. Kibale forest covers predominates in the central and northern part of the park on the raised Fort Portal plateau. At the park’s northern part stands 1590m above sea level.
Kibale National Park Uganda stands as the finest destination in Aafrica for chimpanzee tracking safari. See explained information about the park below;
Location of Kibale National Park;
Kibale National Park is located in western part of Uganda about 348kilometers ‘’5-to-6-hour drive’’ from Kampala or Entebbe via south east of the beautiful Fort portal town to make it to the park. Interestingly, the park lies close to the Serene Ndali Kasenda crater area and it takes a half day’s drive to Uganda’s popular park – Queen Elizabeth National Park, Rwenzori Mountain, Semuliki National Park and the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve.
Vegetation Areas in Kibale National Park
Well, Kibale’s varied vegetation offers different varieties of wildlife habitat ranging from the moist evergreen forest along the Fort portal plateau, then through the dry tropical forest and then to the woodland and savanna along the rift valley floor. More so, the vegetation rises to over 55m and creates a semi- closed canopy of massive stratified tree crowns. The area is dotted with tolerant herbs, a variety of ferns, shrubs, broad leaved forest grasses and the undergrowth is sparse. And over 351 tree species have been registered in the park.
Wildlife in Kibale National Park
The Park boosts with more than 13 different species thus making it a capital of primates. Uganda hosts a total of over 5000 chimpanzee individuals and more than 1500 individuals are found in Kibale National Park. This make Kibale the best destination to enjoy a Chimpanzee Tracking Tour. Apart from chimpanzee, Kibale is also home to the uncommon Lhotse’s monkeys, red colobus monkeys, the black and white colobus, Red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, Olive baboons, Grey cheeked mangabeys, bush babies as well as Potto many more.
There is a number of other wildlife to see in Kibale National Park, however they are hardly to be found, including buffaloes, leopards, bush pigs, elephants and duikers. During your visit, expect to spot some amphibians, reptiles and variety of beautiful butterflies.
When to Visit Kibale National Park
Ideally, Kibale National Park can be visited throughout the year but the best time to visit the park is during the dry season when the trails are dry and passable. The dry season runs from December to February and then from June to September.
The wettest area in Kibale, receive an average annual rainfall of about 1700mm, starting from March to May and September to November.
The climate here usually pleasant with an average annual temperature range of 14C to 27C.The southern part of the park experiences the maximum temperatures and lower amounts of rain where the terrain drops onto the hot rift valley floor forest make way to open grassland.
Activities to do in Kibale National Park
Chimpanzee Trekking; This is the mainly done activity in the park and the main reason Kibale houses the largest population of chimpanzees in the entire East Africa.
Chimpanzee trekking is an exciting experience which starts early morning at around 8:00am with a briefing. After briefing, you will be grouped in a group of 8 people, accompanied with the park range to lead you through forest trails in search of chimpanzee individuals. Once you find them, you will be allowed one hour to spend with them, observing how to they feed, play, groom their younger ones, enjoy taking photo shoot as well as capturing videos.
For one to do Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, you’re required to pay a fee of USD 250 for foreign non resident ,200USD for foreign resident and East African citizen pay UGX180,000
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience; This is a full day life time experience that involves in 4 hours stay with chimps, park ranges, researchers, doctors, guide among others. This process can take 2 to 3 years when chimpanzees are under training and if the park range notices that the group of chimps is got used with eye contact with humans. They will open it for tourism.
Chimpanzee Habituation in Kibale goes at USD300 for foreign nonresident, USD250 for foreign resident and East African citizen at UGX250,000 per person.
Note; Remember to carry a useful essential for your successful chimp trek safari in Uganda including;
Waterproof knee -length hike boots
Neutral -colored long -sleeved shirts
Long cotton stockings
Insect repellent
Sunscreen
Binoculars
Waterproof day backpack
Flashlight and extra batteries
Wet wipes
First aid kit
Chimp tracking rules
Energy giving snacks, Warm sweater
Waterproof rain jacket, coat or windbreaker
Birding in Kibale
Truly the park is paradise for birders ,hosting over 350 species of birds ,including 6 native to the Albertine Rift area such as dusky crimson wing, black-capped apalis ,blue-headed sunbird ,collared apalis ,red -faced woodland warbler and purple -breasted sunbirds and other rare birds in Kibale are the green breasted pitta ,Abyssinian ground thrush ,black bee-eater ,Yellow spotted nicator ,little green bull, brown chested alethe ,Yellow rumpled tinker bird ,Blue -breasted kingfisher ,along with the crowned eagle but few mentioned. Bigodi nature walk offers the best birding safaris opportunities and primates viewing such as chimpanzees, red colobus, black and white colobus, red tailed monkey, bushbuck and mongoose.
Cultural Tours around Kibale
An amazing cultural tour in Kibale can be led by a skilled local guide with all information about the park and the community around. You will have a chance to meet the native Batooro people and Bakiga immigrants who stay around this park. You will also visit a traditional village to watch their amazing lifestyle of the Batoro, visit the local church, traditional healer and get a closer encounter with these natives.
Crater Lakes Tour
On your tour to Kibale, you will have chance to visit this picturesque which offers the unique landscape view of this area.
Where to stay?
There is no worry when it comes to accommodation selection in Kibale National Park. The Park has got classic accommodation facilities ranging from Luxury to Budget lodges with good amenities and locations. Here include; Chimpundu Safari lodge, Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Kibale Tourist Safari lodge, Isunga Lodge among others.
Inconclusion, you can combine your Chimpanzee tracking safari with gorilla trekking tour or Uganda wildlife safari tour through visiting other parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park or Climb Mount Rwenzori. If don’t mind, you can email or contact us to arrange for you the most incredible and affordable tour package. We also organize combined trips to Kenya and Rwanda tours. Get started Now.