Kibale Forest National Park: Chimpanzee trekking Safari in Uganda

Kibale Forest National Park 

Kibale Forest National Park is among Uganda’s ten most visited national parks. It is located in Kaborole District in western Uganda. It is “the home of chimps and primates’ capital of the world.” It is famous for its high number of primate species in East Africa. It has 13 different primates, such as:

  • Chimpanzees
  • The red colobus monkey
  • The black and white colobus
  • The red colobus monkeys
  • Blue monkeys
  • Olive baboons
  • Grey-cheeked mangabeys
  • Red-tailed monkeys
  • L’Hoest’s monkey

Kibale Forest National Park Information & Facts 

Kibale Forest hosts over 1400 chimpanzees. It’s home to some endangered species that are eye-catching to tourists. The chimpanzees have 90% human DNA and human-like behaviors. It is the best safari destination in Africa that offers Chimpanzee tracking tours. Chimpanzee tracking involves walking through the rainforest, looking for them for 2-5 hours, depending on their location. Tourists and guides have followed these habituated chimpanzees since 1994 in Kibale’s forests; the primates are tolerant of human presence. Several other wildlife species live in this tropical rainforest, such as Elephants, Buffaloes, Leopards, bush pigs, and duikers. You may spot some amphibians, reptiles, and some colorful butterflies. 

Kibale National Forest has over 370 bird species and 351 recorded tree species, making it a good destination for birdwatching. It also has one of the last remaining expanses of both montane and lowland forests in East Africa. It is one of Uganda’s most visited protected places because it is an important ecological area that protects a moist evergreen tropical Forest.  

Kibale Forest National Park  Safaris and Tours

Available Activities in Kibale Forest National Park 

Here are some of the top fun activities you can do at the Park:

Chimpanzee habituation and Tracking

Kibale National Park offers trekking to see habituated chimpanzees. They are trained to get used to having human beings around them; the process can take up to 3 years before they can be tracked. When tracking these primates, you will be allowed to spend an hour with them, take pictures, observe their behaviors, and record moments. It’s an unforgettable and thrilling experience seeing them face-to-face.

Guided nature walks and hiking

Take a nature walk through the Kibale National Forest. Pass through Grasslands and swamps with various wildlife to see, such as Elephants, bushbucks, primates, different bird species, and plants. Enjoy the sweet sounds of birds and the cool breeze.

Birding & Photography

Kibale Forest National Park harbors over 370 species of birds. An experienced guide will help you identify the different birds. They include the African pied wagtail, Olive long-tailed cuckoo, black bishop, white-naped pigeon, Crowned eagle, and African grey parrot, among others

Cultural tours

Visit the local communities and interact with them, learning about their way of life, cultures, and traditions. The local people are mostly the Bakiga and Batoro communities, who preserve their culture through dances, language, and folklore.

Best Time to Visit Kibale Forest National Park 

The dry season from December to February and June to July is the best for tracking chimpanzees because the trails are dry and easier to walk on. The forests are clear, making it easy to spot different primates.

The wet season starts from March to May and October to November. Due to heavy rainfalls, the tourists are few, the camp and lodge charges are low, and it’s the best time for nature lovers to see migratory birds in the forest, making it the best time for bird watching.

Hell's gate national park

Safety Guides and Tips 

  • Use anti-malarial drugs when visiting the Kibale Forest National Park
  • Stick to designated trails and listen to your guide at all times
  • Maintain a safe distance from wild animals
  • Do not go to the forest after dark
  • No flash photography to ensure you don’t startle the animals
  • Do not trek if you’re ill.
  • Always go with a trained guide from a reliable tour guide

Accommodation in Kibale Forest National Park 

Whether you’re seeking a luxury lodge or budget-friendly accommodation. Kibale Forest has various accommodations available in and around the national park. They include:

  • Chimpudu Lodge
  • Jungle Lodge
  • Kibale Forest Lodge
  • Kibale safari lodge
  • Kibale Forest camp
  • Primate Safari Lodge
  • Papaya Lake Lodge
  • Kyaninga Lodge
  • Chimpanzee Capital Safari Lodge
  • Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
  • Crater Safari Lodge

Popular routes to Kibale Forest National Park 

  • By Air: Entebbe International Airport is usually the entrance point to Uganda. Kampala is approximately 40km from the airport.
  • By Road: The Kibale-Mubende-Fort Portal Highway is the shortest route to Kibale National Park. It’s about 5-6 hours’ drive.

Another route is to drive from Kampala via Masaka to Mbarara to Fort Portal and then to Kibale National Park, which takes 7-8 hours in our safari vehicles. 

Nature wonderland safaris

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