Kibale Forest is a national park located in southern Uganda protecting moist evergreen rain forest containing a diverse array of landscapes. Kibale Forest National Park has one of the highest diversity and concentration of primates in Africa. Kibale is not only the best place to track chimpanzees in Uganda, but also harbours its greatest primate diversity and a thrilling variety of forest birds.
Situated ideally in the heart of the Toro kingdom in western Uganda, near fort portal, the park lies close to the tranquil Ndali- Kasenda crater area and is within a half days’ drive of Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori Mountains and Semliki National Parks. The 180km long migration corridor for wildlife also habits mammals like the elusive forest elephants, buffaloes, giant forest hogs and half a dozen antelope species, thereby making it one of the most stunning parks in Uganda.
The most famous destination for tracking chimps is Kibale Forest National Park, but you can do chimp tracking at Semliki wildlife reserve which is also a rain forest Jungle down the fabulous Albertine Rift Escarpment, Budongo Mahogany Forest at Murchison Falls, and Kyambura Gorge in Maramagambo forest located in Queen Elizabeth Park and Budongo forest which is located just near Murchison falls national park. The other place is Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary where these orphaned primates are kept as well as the zoo at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.
Primates are very common in Kibale National Forest. The forest has some of the highest abundances of species of primates in the area. There are many species of primates and these species persist in the less disturbed areas of the forest in their natural habitats. There are disturbances that are hindering some of these species.
Getting there:
The 795 sq. km can be accessed from Uganda’s capital Kampala, along a newly surfaced road via Kasese near Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park can also be reached from Kampala via Mubende and fort portal or through Mbarara and Kamwenge. There is daily public transport between Kampala and fort portal by bus.
Kibale National Park has access to two airstrips; Nyakisharara airstrip in Mbarara about 98km through Kamwenge from Kanyanchu and Kasese air strip, 75km from fort portal town. It can also be reached from the airstrip in Toro / Semuliki wildlife reserve, only 86 km from Kanyanchu.
What to see
Kanyanchu, in the central part of Kibale, is the main trail head for the park’s famous forest walks, the most popular of which is the daily Primate Walk. There are 13 species of primate to search for, including habituated chimpanzees. Bird watching, nature walks for both kids and adults and guided night treks are also available here.
Sebitoli Forest Camp, a secondary tourism center, is even easier to reach. This stands directly on the Kampala road, 12km before Fort Portal. Public transport runs throughout the day between Kampala and Fort Portal (passing Sebitoli) and Fort Portal and Kamwenge (passing Kanyanchu).
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Rich in biodiversity and beautiful scenery, the wetland is a birder’s paradise with about 138 species. Located outside the park in Magombe Swamp it also hosts eight species of primates including the black-and-white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed, L’Hoest’s and blue monkeys, and olive baboons. Bush bucks and mongooses can also be found here. The sanctuary was set up to preserve the exclusive environmental features along with the wetland and is managed by the local community.
Activities to do
Chimpanzee tracking
Tourists who visit Kibale forest enjoy the one hour with chimpanzee the most favorite of Kibale’s walks. The tracking starts from Kanyanchu Visitor center at 08.00 & 15.00 and lasts 2 to 3 hours. Chimpanzee are the most sought after primate by visitors, you will hear them hooting before you see them. You should look out for the black & white colobus, red tailed monkey or the grey cheeked mangabey. Your guides will be able to show you pittas & different bird species and will give details of the types of the plant species within the forest. This walk is for 6 people in a group. Advance booking is all-important especially during Peak Sea.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
The full-day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) works with a chimp community which is undergoing habituation. Early visitors can watch chimps leaving their overnight nests between 6:00 – 6:30am with an armed guide before feeding, copulating, hunting, breastfeeding, resting, patrolling and displaying until it is time to build new nests around 7pm.
Nature walks
This is an experience of the parks’ diverse habitats providing very close contact with nature. The walks begin at 08:00 am, 10:00 am, and 02:00 pm from Kanyanchu tourist centre and take about 2-3 hours. Remind your guide to show you the naked Adam and Eve tree, one of Kibale’s unique wonders.
Birding
Kibale national park boasts of 372 bird species of which 60 percent are recorded Uganda’s forest birds. Bird watchers can spot various activities in the park. Also there is a night nature walk which allows visitors to track the unique species of birds, animals and insects such as Bat, Owl, Pottos, bush babies, civets, genet cats and Eastern needle nailed; that are most active at night.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
This small sanctuary protects the Magombe swamp, adjacent to Bigodi trading centre and immediately outside the national park boundary. Located just outside the park, is home to 138 bird species which may be seen during guided walks along the boardwalk trail and viewing platforms. These could include the White-spotted Fluff tail, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Yellow-billed Barbet, Western Nicator, Grey-winged Robin-chat, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Brown-backed Scrub-robin, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Superb Sunbird, Brown-crowned Tchegera, Boscage’s Bush-shrike, Black Bishop, White-breasted Negrofinch and Black-crowned Waxbill among others.
Where to stay
The park has excellent accommodation with Kibale primate lodge that is located in Kanyanchu. Others include up-market accommodation, tree houses and undemanding cottages are discovered at Sebitoli. Every accommodation has a campsite with a restaurant serving both local and international cuisine. Budget accommodation is also found at Bigodi, Nkingo and Ndali crater area. Ndali is well known for its up-market accommodation and other budget alternative such as Chimpanzee guesthouse along with Lake Nkuruba Fort Portal town also has high standard accommodation. Some of the places where to stay include;
- Kluges Guest Farm
- Kyaninga Lodge
- National park Bandas and campsite
- Ndali Lodge
- Ntoroko UWA campsite
- Rainbow Inn
- Semuliki Safari Lodge
For more information visit http://www.budgetgorillatrekking.com/