Best of Uganda safari in Kibale National Park

Kibale Forest National Park is one of the sought-full safari destinations in Uganda as well as Africa at large. The park is famous for hosting the largest population of chimpanzees in the Africa. The Park is located in western Uganda covering the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjonjo, Kamwenge, and Kyegegwa.

The park was gazetted in 1932 and formally established in 1993 to protect a large area of forest previously managed as a logged forest reserve. It covers an area of about 766 square kilometres and forms a continuous forest with Queen Elizabeth National Park. More so, the park boasts 351 recorded tree species, some towering over 55 meters and surpassing 200 years in age. It holds the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest in Eastern Africa. Kibale is home to 70 mammal species, including about 1,500 prized chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys (Endangered), and the rare L’Hoest’s monkey, bird species, reptiles, butterflies, Mammals, and other wildlife. The road trip from Kampala/Entebbe is about 4-5hours drive. Visiting Kibale Forest National Park is the biggest advantage to enjoy thrilling experiences such as chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation as the most sought activities.

Exciting activities to do at Kibale National Park

Chimpanzee tracking

The activity is a major highlight of safaris in Kibale forest National Park. Tourists can spend either a half day or a full day observing these fascination primates in their natural habitat. Trekking in these forests will also grant you great opportunities to connect with nature and also spot different forms of flora and fauna. The most done activity in Kibale forest national park by tourists. The adventure starts at 8:30 am at Kanyachu visitor’s center, where a brief orientation covers the rules and regulations of chimpanzee trekking. After that, you’ll be allocating an armed ranger guide, who will lead you the lush forest in search for these fascination creatures while pointing out the important information.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park typically last between 2-4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are allocated. During the trek, you’ll also have the chance to spot other creatures that make the forest home such as other primate species like vervet, red-tailed, L’Hoest’s and blue monkeys, red colobus, black and white colobus. You will also have the chance to sight stunning butterflies, birds, flowering plants as well as animals’ species.

Once you find the chimps, you will be giving 1 hour interaction in their presence where you’ll have the chance to observe how they live in their natural habitat including feeding tactic, play and grooming each other.

Kibale Chimpanzee trekking permits for Kibale forest national park cost $250 for foreign non- residents, $ 200 for foreign residents, and shs180,000 for East African citizens.

Chimpanzee Habituation experience

Chimpanzee Habituation experience is another must-do and most rewarding safari activity to embark while on a Uganda safari. Habituation is the process of slowly introduction chimpanzees to humans so that they become more comfortable with their presence. During this remarkable activity, Kibale forest National Park, you will well spend 4 hours with the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. During your you Chimpanzee Habituation, you’ll visit the chimp’s community that is under the process of habituation with researchers, guides, and rangers as they make effort for the chimpanzees to get used to humans. While with the chimps, you’ll have the chance to watch them do about their daily lives, learn about the chimpanzee’s social dynamic, feeding habitats and other behaviors and take pictures to take home.

Chimpanzee habituation experience is also done in Kibale Forest National Park and it costs $300 for foreign non-residents and $ 250 for foreign residents while citizens of east Africa pay UGX 250,000. The rates include a guide fee and park entrance fees for 4 hours.

Forest walk

Forest Walks in Kibale National Park is another rewarding activity to do while on a safari in the park. guided forest walk offers opportunity to explore the hidden gem of the forest. Walking in these forests will also grant you great opportunities to connect with nature and also spot different forms of flora and fauna.  The Nature walks usually start from either Kanyachu or Sebitoli. Guided forest walks in Kibale forest starts from Kanyachu at 8:00 am and 14:00 daily and last between 2 to 6 hours. The excursion will take you into the forest park where you will enjoy incredible sightseeing experiences majorly spotting the chimpanzees. During the walk in the forest, you will enjoy the picturesque lush tropical forest, grasslands, and marshes.   The activity is Unique and fantastic however requires a lot of preparation before you embark on it

Primate walks

Exploring the Kibale Forest National Park through primate walks is a highlight of any African safari experience in Uganda. These walks kick off with a briefing at the Kanyachu visitor center, with morning sessions starting at 8:00 AM and afternoon ones at 2:00 PM. Each trek typically lasts between 2 to 3 hours, depending on factors like the group’s pace, the terrain, and the season.

During these walks, tourists have the opportunity to spot variety of wildlife. You see various species of primates, including chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Demidoff Galago, grey checked mangabeys, Uganda mangabey, patas monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys and pottos. During the walk, you will also have added chance to see other wildlife for example African buffalo, African elephants, bushbucks, duikers, lions, giant forest hogs, sitatungas, bush pigs, leopards, and mongooses.

Hiking Nyamirima Hill

Embark on a scenic hike up Nyamirima Hill, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of five picturesque crater lakes that encircle the Kibale Forest National Park. This adventure offers you the perfect opportunity to soak in the breathtaking scenery, snap some memorable photos, and interact with the local community, who are eager to share their everyday experiences with you. For a little more fun, you can also paddle around in some of the lakes, enjoying the tranquillity of the water.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching is another rewarding activity to do in Kibale Forest National Park on your safari to Kibale. The park is home to cover 370 bird species, making its Uganda’s best birding destination.  Birdwatching tour in the park is most conducted at Bigodi wetland walk. Some of the bird species you may spot while on your birdwatching tour here includes Green-breasted Pitta, Red-chested Owlet, Scally-breasted, Pale-breasted and Brown Illadopsis, Red-caped and Blue-shouldered Robin-chat, Fire-crested and Brown-chested Alethe, Forest Robin, Buff-spotted, Brown-eared, and Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Red-winged Francolin, Black-billed Turaco, White-naped and Afep Pigeon, Red-tailed Ant-thrush, Rufous Flycatcher mentioned but few.

Cultural encounter

Kibale Forest National Park is home is surrounded by two indigenous tribal groups, the Batoro and Bakiga communities.  During your cultural encounter, you will have opportunity to visit the local communities where you will have cultural encounters including local dances, local way of life, local juices and foods among others.

Contact our trusted tour operators for more information and inquiries about best Uganda safaris at Kibale Forest National Park and book with our tours and travel companies, such as Achieve Global Safaris, who offer the best tour packages while on your safari in Uganda.