5 Things to do in Kibale forest national park 2022/ 2023
5 Things to do in Kibale forest national park 2022/ 2023; Kibale forest national park also known as the primate capital is located in western part of Uganda in Kabarole district. The national park is known for harboring 13 primate species including about 1,500 chimpanzees, other primates like black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey checked mangabey, vervet monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, olive baboons, pottos and animals like giant forest hogs, bushbucks, forest elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, duikers, bush pigs among others. Kibale forest national park offers 5 activities that visitors can engage in 2022/ 2023 including,
5 Things to do in Kibale forest national park 2022/ 2023
- Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the major activities in Kibale national park that visitors can engage in during the safari. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will be sub-divided into groups of 6 people where each group will be allocated a habituated chimpanzee family to trek and an experienced park guide. Chimpanzee trekking 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 primates like black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, view different bird species among others and 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, watch them feed, breastfeed, hunt, play, fight, rest, mate, take photos and record videos.
- Chimpanzee habituation experience
Chimpanzee habituation experience is another interesting activity in Kibale forest national park where the wild Chimpanzees are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale forest national park takes a period of 2 to 3 years to be complete and the experience starts very early in the morning with a briefing at Kanyachu park headquarters. After the briefing you will be allocated a park guide and start trekking in the forest in search of the chimpanzees and once they are found, you will be allowed to spend four hours with them in their environment where you will be able to learn and monitor their behaviors, habits, watch them carry out their daily activities, takes photos among others.
- Bird watching
Kibale forest national park is a home of over 374 recorded bird species including Albertine rift endemics, forest birds and migratory birds which makes it one of the best birding destinations in Uganda. During bird watching, you will be accompanied by an experienced bird guide and follow different birding trails where you will be able to spot different bird species like African pitta, Cassins Spinetail, Blue Headed Bee-eater, Nahan’s Francolin, Masked Apalis, Great Blue Turaco, African Pied Wagtail, Pin-tailed Wydah, Slender-billed Weaver, Tropical Boubou, Purple Breasted Sunbird, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Western Nicator, Ruwenzori Apalis, Black-eared Ground Thrush, Little Greenbul, Grey Parrot, African Emerald Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Brown Sunbird, Brown-throated Wattle Eye, Blue-throated Roller, Black-throated Apalis, Abyssinian Hill-babbler among others.
- Nature walks/ hiking
Nature walk is an exciting activity in Kibale forest national park where visitors will get an opportunity to explore the park on foot with the company of an experienced park guide and an armed ranger guide to protect you from any danger. During the guided nature walk, you will be able to view different primate species, birds, colourful butterflies, mammals, plant and tree species, listen to sweet sounds of bird species singing in trees, enjoy the cool breeze, take beautiful pictures among others. During the guided nature walk in Kibale forest national park, you will also be able to explore Bigodi wetland where you will be able to view variety of bird species, primates among others.
- Cultural tour
Cultural tour is another safari activity in Kibale forest national park where tourists will get a chance to interact with the Bakiga and Batoro in the neighboring communities. During the cultural tour you will be able learn about the local people culture, way of living, visit their homesteads, farmlands, enjoy their traditional performances among others.
Best time to visit Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest national park can be visited all year round 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, there is less rainfall in the park therefore nature walk and chimpanzee trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy.
Kibale forest national park can also be visited in the wet season during the months of March to May and October to November because that’s the best season for bird watching where bird lovers will be able to view colorful and migratory bird species.
Where to stay in Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest national park has a number of accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury where you can stay during your safari including Primate Safari Lodge, Chimpundu Lodge, Ataco Country Resort, Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Chimp Nest Lodge, Isunga Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, Kibale Guest Cottages, Kyaninga Lodge, Kibale Safari Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Mountain of the Moon Hotel, Papaya Lake Lodge, Rwetera Safari Park, Turaco Treetops among others.
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 where you will drive from Kampala via Mubende, Fort Portal and then to the park headquarters which takes about 6 to 7 hours’ drive.
Kibale forest national park can also be accessed by air transport means whereby you will book scheduled or charter domestic flights with Aerolink Uganda or Bar aviation from Entebbe international airport o Kasese or Semuliki airstrip and then connect to Kibale forest national park.
Kibale forest national park offers interesting Uganda safari activities that can be combined with other activities for memorable experiences including gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, wildlife viewing in Murchison falls national park and Queen Elizabeth national park, boat cruise, night game drives among others. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various safari packages.
