What to do in Kibale Forest National Park

What to do in Kibale Forest National Park: Kibale Forest is one of the national parks of Uganda located in the Kabarole district. It was gazetted in 1993 to protect the different attractions and natural vegetation. Kibale Forest is also known as the primate capital of the world harboring over 13 primate species including the famous chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are the main attractions in Kibale bringing thousands of travelers from different parts of the world and this is because these primate species are close relatives to human beings with more than 98% human DNA.

Kibale Forest National Park is home to 120 mammals, 13 primate species, and over 339 different species of birds. Tourists who are intending to visit this forest have a lot of things to do within the park. It’s these activities that give tourists an opportunity to meet some of the forest attractions as they move around the forest. Below are the things tourists can do on a safari to Kibale Forest National Park.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest

Chimpanzee tracking is the most done activity in Kibale Forest National Park. This activity involves trekkers heading into the jungle where they search for habituated chimps and be around them for one hour. On a safari to Kibale, tourists need to try out this chimpanzee trekking in order to get some time around the members as they carry out different activities in their natural habitat.

Chimpanzee trekking is an activity done by those who have valid trekking permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. On the day of trekking, the activity starts at Kanyanchu Visitor’s Centre with a briefing from the rangers, and thereafter groups not exceeding 8 people are formed and given armed ranger guides to lead them in the jungle.

While in the jungle, different Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale trails are used to search for the chimpanzees. As searching is going on, the trekkers get an opportunity to meet some of the forest mammals, primates, and birds. After 2 to 3 hours of searching, trekkers meet the chimpanzees and get to spend one hour around the members. Trekkers are allowed to take photos and record videos as they learn about their habits.

Chimpanzee habituation in Kibale Forest

Tourists who want to spend more time with chimpanzees can carry out chimpanzee habituation on their safari to Kibale Forest National Park. The activity is carried out by tourists who have habituation permits. Just like Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, Chimpanzee habituation in Kibale Forest starts early in the morning with a briefing from the park rangers who teach the rules and regulations of the activity.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale is done by a few people who are led by armed ranger guides in the jungle where they search for the semi habituated chimpanzees. The search takes a few hours and when the chimpanzees are spotted, trekkers are given 4 hours to be around the members taking part in the activities that make these chimps get used to human presence around them.

Bird watching in Kibale Forest

Kibale Forest National Park hosts over 339 bird species making birding watching one of the activities to do while on a safari to the park. Bird watching is done in the form of nature walks in different areas of the park allowing birders to see as many bird species as they can. The most sought-after bird species within this park is the green-breasted pitta.

Other bird species one can can spot an a Bird watching safari in Kibale Forest include Africa Shrike-flycatcher, Chubb’s Cisticola, Black-billed Turaco, Black-crowned Tchagra, African Black-headed Oriole, African-pied Wagtail, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Cameroon Sombre Greenbul, African Dusky Flycatcher, Blue-throated Roller, Bocage’ Bush-shrike, Black-billed Weaver, Black Cuckoo-shrike, Ashy Flycatcher, Black-capped Waxbill.

Brown-capped Weaver, African Blue Flycatcher, Zebra Waxbill, Bronze Mannikin, Barn Swallow, African Green-pigeon, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Brown-headed Tchagra, Black-necked Weaver, Afep Pigeon, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Black-throated Apalis, African Emerald Cuckoo, Bronze Sunbird, Black-headed Weaver, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Barbet, African Citril, and Brown Illadopsis among others.

Nature walks in Kibale Forest.

Kibale Forest National Park is home to more than 120 mammals, 13 primates, and 339 bird species. To see most of these animals, tourists must participate in different forest activities which include nature walks. During nature walks, tourists get to see giant forest hogs, forest elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, waterbucks, side-striped jackals, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red colobus monkeys, and different bird species to mention but a few.

When to visit Kibale Forest

The driest months of the year June to September and December to February are the best months to visit Kibale forest. They have the best weather which is characterized by little rainfall and plenty of sunshine. Tourists that visit the park during that time find the trekking trails dry and easier to walk through, and the vegetation short with great views of attractions especially the chimpanzees.

Tourists who are looking at discounted tour packages can still visit Kibale Forest during the rainy season from March to May and October to November. Travelers should know that there is plenty of rainfall during that period which sometimes makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery. The vegetation also tends to be tall with unclear views of some of the attractions in the forest.

Where to stay on a safari in Kibale Forest

Tourists that are intending to visit Kibale Forest National Park and would love to stay for a night or more around the park have a lot of accommodation facilities where they can stay. These range from luxury to mid-range to budget with where to stay depending on the traveler’s budget. Lodges include Turaco treetops, Isunga, Chimpundu, Rubalika, Kibale, Chimpanzee Forest, and Bweza to mention but a few.

Accessing Kibale Forest National Park

Tourists can get to Kibale Forest National Park using road transport means. The park is located in the Kabarole district in Fort Portal where tourists can get to in 5 to 6 hours from Kampala/Entebbe. Tourists drive through Mityana, Mubende, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, and Kabarole where the park is found. The journey comes with great views of different attractions along the way.