KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Kibale National Park is located in western Uganda containing ever green moist forest known to be home to many species of primates, birds and many others.
The forest also has expanses of both low land and montane forest. It joins Queen Elizabeth National Park which makes a wild life corridor very important in tourism.
Kibale forest national Park, is a home to 13 species of primates and most attractive among the 13 are the chimpanzees. This attracts many visitors to the park.
Besides chimpanzees kibale National Park has different plants and trees, some are medicinal. Kibale is among the Uganda safari destinations mostly included on visitors’ packages.
Activities in kibale National Park.
Chimpanzee Tracking.
This activity is among the most done in kibale. It is done on foot and start in the morning with briefing at the park headquarters.
Chimpanzees are one of the endangered species in Uganda and it’s 98% like humans. Visitors prefer to see a primate intelligent like a human being. It is a life time experience to be up close to these majestic primates.
What to know about chimpanzee tracking
– keep silent in the forest while tracking chimpanzees
– Have good walking shoes for tracking in the forest
– Have good cameras and batteries and take memories at home.
– Do not feed the chimpanzees
– Do not litter in the forest
– After finding the group, 1 hour is granted to observe the chimpanzees
– Visitors can track in the morning or afternoon sessions
– All visitors to kibale whether on car hire services or all-inclusive tours in Uganda have to secure chimpanzee permits to be allowed to do the activity. The company can secure permits for their clients from Uganda wildlife Authority. Booking gorilla permits prior to the rental is important as they are subject to avialablity.
– children under 12 years are not allowed to track chimpanzees.
Nature walks
Safaris to kibale also can involve Nature walks in the forest. This will make visitors enjoy other attractions on the foot like different monkeys, plants, and many others. Nature walks here in kibale are guided where park guide will be explaining different attractions around.
Birding.
Kibale National Park is an important bird area. There are many forest birds here and the birder will help to identify them and the best places known for certain birds.
Community Encounters.
There are so many communities of people around kibale National Park. Spending some time with these people to learn more of their life is one of the measures of conservation.
Bigodi swamp walk.
Bigodi swamp is located near kibale national Park, most visitors after doing chimpanzee visit the swamp. Small animals can be seen during the walk, birds and many others.
How to Access Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is accessed mostly by road. The park is located in the western Uganda. Visitors are picked from Entebbe international airport and then head to the park in safari vehicles.
Another way to Access Kibale National Park is by air transport; domestic flight can connect to kibale to nearby air strips like kasese. Then from the airstrip visitors are transferred using safari cars to their lodges around kibale
The best time to visit kibale National Park
The best time to visit kibale National Park is during dry season known as peak season months in Uganda. This is when rain is little making many of activities in the park easier. The weather is cool and clear enabling good photos.
Also In rainy season, the park can be visited and when it comes to activities like birding, there are activities where specific birds can be seen.
Accommodation facilities in kibale National Park.
Kibale forest camp
This is located in the southern part of kibale national park near magombe swamp where Bigodi wetland sanctuary is located. The lodge offers comfortable accommodation to visitors.
When it comes to kibale safaris, kibale forest camp is the appropriate place to stay as it just 10 minutes’ drive to kanyanchu visitor center.
The camp has ensuit safari tents, non-self-contained grass thatched tents and also lazy camping.
Turaco tree tops
Turaco tree tops offers both luxury and standard cottages. They are beautifully built facing the forest. When at turaco tree tops, look out for great blue turaco, black colobus monkeys and many other attractions.
The lodge has good restaurants, bars dining and many others services. The staff is friendly and caring.
