Also called the primates capital of Africa, Kibale Forest National Park located in western Uganda is a unique tour destination in the Pearl of Africa. The park covers a total land area of 766 square kilometers hosting 13 species of primates. Whereas the forest was garzetted in 1932, it was officially established as a national park in 1993 to provide shelter for the endangered chimpanzees and other critically endangered and vulnerable primates, which reside there. Bakiga and Batooro are the two major tribes living around Kibale Forest National Park. Given the high number of primates in Kibale Forest National Park, the forest is one of the important ecotourism sites in Uganda. African Apes Tours and Travel gives you a detailed guide to Kibale Forest Park, accommodation, wildlife, vegetation, birds, attractions and customized safaris
Wildlife in Kibale Forest National Park
Like said before, Kibale Forest is home o 19 primate species. The common primates in this forest are the endangered chimpanzees which are the key attractions for most traveler o this Park. Kibale Forest is believed to shelter over 1000 chimpanzees, which make it a prime chimpanzee safari destination in Uganda and East Africa in general. The Forest is also home to the central African monkey species, which include Uganda red colubus, L’Hoest Monkey (Vulnerable) and the Uganda Mangabey. Other primates include the Black and White Colubus, Vervet Moneys, Blue Monkeys; Red tailed Monkeys, Red Columbus Monkeys, Olive baboons and Grey Cheeked Mangabey among others. Beside primates, Kibale Forest National Park is home to other terrestrial mammals, which include Elephants, Buffalos, Bush pigs, Red Duikers, Common Warthogs, Blue duikers and Giant Forest Hogs. You will also see Occasional Lions, African Golden Cats, Mongoose and Leopards among other predators. For birders, Kibale Forest National Park is home to over 325 bird speices which make it a best place for Uganda birding tours. Among the birds to see in Kibale Forest include Grey Parrot, Olive Tailed Cuckoo, African Wood Owl, Chubb’s Cisticola, Black Crowned Tchagra, African Shrike, Abyssinian Ground thrush and African Pied Wagtail among others. The Park is also home to over 300 butterfly species, which make it a best place for butterfly watching. A visit to Kibale Forest National Park therefore offers you chance to meet a variety of animals and birds on a single Uganda tour
Vegetation in Kibale Forest Park
The park is dominated by a rain forest comprised of western Lowland Forest and Eastern Afro montane forest. Other vegetation include swamp and grasslands which all provide food and habitat to different animals and birds in the Park.
Attractions and Activities in Kibale Forest National Park
The Park offers you a variety of interesting things to see and do on your Uganda primate’s safari to meet and satisfy your travel interests. The top travel experiences in Kibale Forest National Park include:
Chimpanzee Trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is the most done travel experience in Kibale Forest National Park. Several communities of chimpanzees have been habituated in Kibale forest to ease trekking. The cots of a chimpanzee permit in Kibale Forest costs $200 for foreign nonresidents, $150 for foreign residents and UGX 150,000. African Apes Tours helps you book and secure a chimpanzee permit giving you chance to meet your closest relatives. All chimpanzee trekking sessions in Kibale Forest National Park begin at Kanyanchu visitor Information Center preceded by a brief guide on the rules and regulations of chimpanzee safaris. Some of the regulations of chimpanzee trekking include keeping a seven meter distance away, avoid direct eye contact, avoid flashlight camera, do not touch the chimpanzees, donot eat and drink near the chimps and do not trek when sick among others. These rules are put to safeguard the endangered primates from contracting some communicable diseases from travelers. There are two chimpanzee trekking sessions in Kibale Forest during morning and afternoon Permit booking is recommended at least 6 months in advance. Travelers are allowed to spend an hour with the chimpanzees to have fun and enjoy the company of their lost cousins. A 3 Days Kibale chimpanzee trekking tour offers you chance to enjoy this lifetime experience.
Do not miss spending half day with the wild a chimpanzees in the jungle on your chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale Forest National Park. The experience entails spending four hours with the chimpanzees taking part in the training process to get familiar with people. You will hike along veterinary doctors, researchers and conservations the major participants in this 2-3 habituation process. The chimpanzee habituation permit costs $250 for foreign residents, $250 for foreign residents and UGX 250,00 for East African Citizens. Permit issuing on is first come first serve basis Uganda Wildlife Authority. Take Part in the guided forest/nature walk to best explore the hidden gem, in Kibale Forest National Park. Enjoy a 12 kilometers hike through Kibale forest National Park, crossing over shaky branches up to waterfalls and other interesting spots in the forest. Walking on foot through the jungle forest is an opportunity to and enough time to discover all treasures in the forest, the birds, butterflies, reptiles and even primates seen crossing over tree branches over your head. The experience costs $30 for foreign non-residents, $15 for foreign residents and UGX 10,000 for East African citizens. The Bigodi swamp is a not miss on your Uganda safari to Kibale Forest National Park. Bigodi swamp is home to numerous birds and animals that await you! The Kibale Association manages Bigodi Wetland sanctuary for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED) a local owned project purposed to conserve the environment t and improving the standards of living for local people. You will visit different project under KAFRED such as the water project which provides clean and safe water for the locals, the secondary school to enhance quality education for local children, the bee keeping project, waste management project, the Community survey project and the Riverbank Re afforestation project among others. Visiting Bigodi wetland is one way of supporting and improving the livelihoods of local people. In conclusion, Kibale Forest National Park offers it all! Contact us today, book your chimpanzee trekking tour to Kibale Forest and enjoy this lifetime experience.
Kibale Forest National Park s home to over 250 bird species hence a haven for birders. Some notable birds to see in Kibale Forest include Pin tailed whydah, African Pied wagtail, Slender billed weaver, Tropical boubou, little greenbul, African Pitta, Masked Apalis, Ruwenzori Apalis and Afep pigeon among others. March to May and September to November is the best time for bird watching in Kibale Forest National park. The good time to see migratory birds in Kibale forest is between November and April. African Apes Tours helps you to customize a Uganda birding tour to Kibale Forest National Park.Forest/Nature Walks
Visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Accommodation in Kibale Forest National Park
Choose from our list of best accommodation facilities in Kibale Forest National Park for safe and comfortable stay on you chimpanzee trekking safari. Lodges, hotels and camps in Kibale Forest are categorized into budget, midrange and luxury to suit all travelers budget. Some luxury lodges in Kibale Forest include Primate Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge and Crater Lodge. The midrange accommodation in Kibale Forest includes Mountains of the Moon Hotel, Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, Chimps Nest, Kibale Forest Camp and Papaya Forest Lodge. For budget accommodation, consider staying at Nyinalibulitwa Country resort, Kitojo guest cottages, Fort Heights Homestay and Rwenzori View guesthouse among others. All these lodges and hotels provide excellent food and sleeping at the request of the client. African Apes Tours helps you book and reserve a suitable lodge room in Kibale Forest National Park.