Top Safari activities in Kibale National Park; Kibale Forest National Park famously known as a capital of primates in the world, positioned in the western part of Uganda in Kabarole and Kamwenge districts. More so ,the park lies on total area of about 766 square kilometers composed of tropical rainforest and Afromontane forest that habitat with 13 primates species including the unique Chimpanzees ,Black and White colobus monkeys ,Red tailed monkeys ,Grey cheeked mangabey ,Olive baboons ,Vervet monkeys ,Bush babies ,L’Hoest monkeys ,other mammals can also be seen here such as elephants ,buffaloes ,sitatunga ,wild dogs ,bush pigs ,duiker bee-eater , Cassin’s spine tail ,Nahan’s francolin ,Collared apalis ,Crown eagles many more. Despite fact, Kibale forest houses over 1,500 chimpanzees out of the Uganda’s total population of more than 5,000 individuals and the rest can be encountered in Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth, Kalinzu forest among others.
Below is the top done safari activities in Kibale Forest National Park;
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park
Chimpanzee tracking is the major highlight activity done in Kibale Forest National Park since it hosts highest concentration of chimpanzees with over 1,500 individuals. However, this activity starts early after visitor’s morning breakfast with a briefing at Kanyanchu visitors center about dos and don’ts of chimpanzee tracking. Then after briefing meet up the park ranger guide who is knowledgeable about chimpanzees and tracking might take about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located.
During Chimpanzee tracking experience as you will be hiking through thick forest, you will be able to view other primate’s species like black and white colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, L’Hoest monkeys, plant species, bird species among others.
Once chimpanzees are located, trackers will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives a chance to observe them feed, breastfeeding their younger ones, play, hunt ,mate ,fight ,rest ,learn about their life style, behaviors ,take memorable photos for your future remembrance.
Chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale National Park
Chimpanzee habituation experience is a fabulous activity done full day around through allowing you to spend four hours with them in their nature habitat with an opportunity to learn about their habits ,lifestyle ,behaviors ,learn how to identify them by their marking ,scars ,personalities ,watch chimpanzees leaving their nests ,feeding ,breastfeeding ,hunting mating resting ,playing and watch them as they build their nests for the night as well as enjoying unforgettable life experiences on your Uganda safari in the park.
Bird watching in Kibale Forest
Kibale forest national park is hoven of birders with more than 441 recorded bird species including forest birds, endemic birds which cannot be found in other destination for bird watching and also a great destination to encounter migratory birds which can be present in the month of November to April. The Uganda birding experience is more interesting during morning hours or late evening accompanied with an expert bird guide who will give you collect information about different bird species and some of the birds to see here include; great blue turaco ,black billed turaco ,yellow spotted barbet, Cassin’s spine tail ,Red winged francolin ,black crowned waxbill ,masked apalis ,black bee-eater, yellow spotted barbet ,purple headed starling ,grey throated tit flycatcher .tiny sunbird ,white collared olive back ,white napped pigeon ,black bishop ,hairy breasted barbet , red winged francolin, Abyssinian ground thrush many more, Top Safari Activities in Kibale National Park.
Guided nature walks –Hiking in Kibale national park
Guided nature walk is one of the most exciting activity done in the park which starts with a briefing at Kanyanchu visitors center. Then after head out to interesting trails with in the park lead by the park ranger ,trails leads you through grasslands ,swampland where you get a chance of spotting the hidden treasures of the park as you come closer to them for clear view of wildlife species such as forest elephants ,duikers ,blue monkeys ,grey cheeked mangabey ,red tailed monkeys , bushbucks ,view different bird species like plants and tree species as your walking around the trails you will be able to listen to sweet sounds of bird species ,enjoy the cool breeze as well as enjoying breath fresh air.
Nocturnal forest walks in Kibale Forest
In Kibale Forest national park, visitors can be able to experience nocturnal forest walk very stunning and you can be able to view nocturnal species such as bush baby, pottos, galago, tree Hyrax, Cricket, Nightjar many more. The activity can be done by well experienced guide holding a strong spotlight torches for clear viewing and it starts at around 6:30 to 19:30pm.
Where to sleep while on Uganda safari in Kibale National park
Kibale national park boasts with comfortable and excellent accommodation facilities with good amenities ranging from Luxury, Mid-range and Budget. They include ;Primate Lodge Kibale ,Chimps Nest ,Papaya Lake Lodge ,Crater Safari Lodge ,I Sunga Lodge ,Aramaga Rift Valley lodge, Kanyanchu River Camp , Kibale safari Lodge
When is the best time to visit Kibale National park?
Kibale Forest national park is can be visited throughout the year though the best time is to enjoy the experiences is in dry season which starts from June to September and December to February when the tracking trails are out of muddy and slippery thus making tracking gorgeous activities.
During dry season the park experience less rainfall that leads to low growth of vegetation cover through allowing you with clear view of chimpanzees, colobus monkeys ,enjoy the scenic landscape. During wet season the tracking trail becomes muddy and slippery thus making tracking difficult.
Although you can still the park’s activities during wet season which starts from the month of March to May and November just imagine this is the best time for birding –bird lovers that will allow you to encounter migratory bird species.
Getting to Kibale National Park
The park is located in the western region of Uganda and can be easily reached by road transport, you drive from Kampala via Mubende –Fort portal road or Mbarara-Kamwenge road to main destination which takes about 5 to 6 hours drive in a 4WD safari vehicle.
