Kibale forest is one of the most beautiful tropical forests in the whole of Uganda. Kibale Forest national park is one of those popular natural protected areas in the country due to the fact that it is an ore of primates. Among the primates it has, are the playful chimpanzees the closest relatives of mankind in the animal kingdom. Kibale Forest National Park is one of the best safari destination in Africa and major tropical rainforest in East Africa. This forest has the highest concentrations of primates in Africa, with 13 recorded species. The most outstanding tourism activities in the game park are chimpanzee trekking and habituation experiences that provide spectacular sightings. There are almost 1,500 chimpanzees in the forest including the habituated Kanyantale group.
This forest is home to 325 bird, 351 tree and 13 species of primates with the most notable being our closest cousin – the chimpanzee with whom humans share 98.8% of their genetic material.The density and diversity of primates in Kibale National Park is the highest in the whole of Africa. Kibale forests over 1450 chimpanzees indicate Uganda’s biggest population of this threatened primate.
Amphibians and reptiles plus a variety of colorful butterflies can also be seen. To the southern part of Kibale forest is Queen Elizabeth National Park. A 180 kilometer long migration corridor for wildlife stretches from the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in “Ishasha” to the north of Kibale in “Sebitoli”.
Besides being an exciting holiday destination. Kibale forest is an important site for conservation and research. The Uganda Wildlife Authority with assistance from the Jane Goodall Institute started the Kibale Primate Habituation Project which focuses on habituating the chimpanzees to human presence. This has increased the chances of viewing chimpanzees to over 90%, allowing visitors the fantastic opportunity to view these great apes in their natural environment.
Kibale at a Glance
Location: In the West near Fortportal
Animals: The park hosts 13 primate species including Chimpanzees, Red Colobus, L’Hoest’s Monkey. Good number of mammals can also be seen including Buffalo, forest elephants etc
Activities: birding, forest walks, game viewing
Main Attractions: Tracking Chimpanzees
Entrance: East African Citizens: Ush10,000(Adults), Ush5,000(Children). Foreign Residents in E.Africa US$25(Adults), US$10(children). Foreign non-residents US$35(Adults), US$20(Children). School children in groups Ush2,500(E.Africa Residents) Entrance permit is valid for 24 hours from time of entrance
Kibale Forest National Park covers about 776 square kilometers. It is home to over 13 primate species, including the red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkey.
However the main attraction is the opportunity to track the chimpanzees. It also has over 335 species of birds.
The shady forest is also of much interest to botanists and those who have special interest in butterflies. Other animals include buffaloes, elephants, giant forest hog and a half dozen antelope species.
GETTING THERE:
Travelers say that the northern route is shorter and faster and has a distance is about 300km with a tarmac road going to Fort Portal and also a distance of 36km on murram to Kanyanchu.The sebitoli forest camp is accessible and its second in the tourism sector.
Its direct route from Kampala takes driving on about 16km prior to Fort Port. In case you want to use a bus, it will be easy because it runs daily from Kampala to Fort port via Sebitoli then Fort Portal along with Kamwenge via Kanyanchu.
WHERE TO EAT AND SLEEP:
There are a number of lodges and campsites such as; Kibale Primates lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, Chimps Nest,, Sebitoli Camping Ground (Northern park of Park),Kanyanchu River Camp, Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, Tinka’s Homestead
Getting There
A tropical rain forest located in the western part of Uganda. It can be accessed from Kampala or Entebbe via road through Mityana – Mubende – FortPortal Road.
The forest is home to around 335 bird species including four species not recorded in any other National parks. The National park has two types of vegetation that is the Grass land and Forest ranging from 1110m-1590m from south to north.
Attractions
There are 13 primates in this forest, Chimpanzees being the unique attraction that one cannot miss out to encounter. A group of chimpanzees is called a party and under each party, there are 100 chimpanzees. The chimps are omnivorous animals meaning they feed on both plants and meat. Chimpanzee trekking experience is more or less like a gorilla trekking experience only that the chimps are aerial and quick but more to their advantage, they are more live and intelligent than the gorilla so a tracker can get more intrigued by their social antics. On top of all there are other attractions in this forest that is to say; the Olive Baboons, Black and White monkeys, Grey checked, Red colobus (these dont have thumbs but have hucks), Blue monkeys, vervate monkeys, L’hoest’s monkey, bush Baby and many more.
Activities
Are you a primate enthusiast and wish to spend a memorable time with mankind’s closest relatives? Then visit Kibale Forest National park-the primate capital of the world, and you will be totally amazed by the treasures that this Forest National Park holds. Chimpanzee tracking is the major activity and it requires one hour viewing the chimps while 3 hours are required when walking in the forest however a chimpanzee permit has to be paid in time before the actual date of tracking. In addition to this, there is also Chimpanzee habituation. Habituation is more of an extensive activity than the trekking as the trackers spend more time with the chimps as they observe their whole day activities as also the small apes get used to hanging around with the people. You will witness them feeding, playing while getting first-hand information from guides. This means you will be able to see other primates, birds, butterflies, and mammals.
Bird watching cannot be left out since the park is a habitat to a variety of bird species for example the Green Breasted Pitta, dusky crimsonwing, black-capped apalis, blue- headed sunbird and collared warbler, African pitta, the crowned eagle, yellow rumped tinker bird and 6 species of birds are endemic to the Albertine Rift region.
Community walks by visiting Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary a top birders spot, its famous for wildlife such as chimpanzees, red colobus, black and white, bush buck as well as mongoose. In other wards it is rich in biodiversity and beautiful scenery. It has about 138 bird species on nature walks within. It is located outside the park. For the adventurous visitor who wants to enjoy the forest more may take a 64km guided walk which starts from either Kanyanchu or Sebitoli and ends at either site, passing through different habitants and local communities over a period of 2-6 days, camping at the community camp grounds. Community campsites offer traditional local dishes, traditional dances, story telling and also walks to the shambas. Porters can be hired to carry the bags.
Other mammals found in the forest are buffalos, leopards, bush pig elephants. There are also Amphibians and Reptiles including a variety of colorful butterflies thus butterfly watching. Village walks are also carried out the daily life of Batooro can be discovered during village walks including stop over’s at the villages’ primary schools, church and traditional healers.
Night Nature walks are done to watch the bush babies since for them are always active during the night. One should put this in mind that, in order to participate in any mentioned activity; there are charges or fees one has to pay depending on which type of activity to engage in therefore payment in advance is highly recommended.
Local people demonstrate the best of their local cultures through a lively long hour performance in dancing. Among the Bakiga, men and women dance by stamping the ground barefooted. The harder one stamps the sign of growth to that person.
Accommodation
Budget accommodation in and around Kibale include Rwenzori Guesthouse, Nyankuruba Nature Reserve & Community Campsite. Midrange facilities include Chimp’s Nest, Kibale Forest Camp, Mountains of the Moon Hotel and luxury facilities include Ndali Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, Primate Lodge, etc.
Different people have different tastes and preferences; they have choices of lodging that is from luxury to budget while in Kibale Forest. Under budget range there is Chimpanzee guest house, Mid-range Kibale Forest Camp, and Primate Lodge then Luxury Kyaninga lodge and Ndali lodge.