Kibale National Park
“primate capital of the world"
Kibale National Park is located on the western side of Uganda, covering an area of 795 square kilometres (493 sq mi) and an elevation of 1590m above sea level. Kibale is one of the most stunning parks in Uganda, with varied vegetation ranging from moist green forest, Fort Portal Plateau, dry tropical forest, woodland and savannah. The vegetation rises above 55m and establishes a semi-closed canopy. Kibale Forest National Park is one of the best and most exciting parks, with many attractions making it one of the top destinations in Uganda.
There are 13 primate species, including L’ Hoest’s monkeys, East Africa's largest population of the endangered species, Ugandan red colobus monkeys, the black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys, grey-checked mangabeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and bush babies. The park has approximately 350 bird species and approximately 250 Butterfly species.
The Kibale National Park Highlight:
Chimpanzee Trekking - The park is prominent for chimpanzee trekking in Africa. Kibale has an estimated population of 1,500 chimpanzees and Africa's highest number and diversity of primates
Experience the Kibale National Park
Kibale supports a range of habitats over different altitude zones. The tropical forest on the Fort Portal plateau changes to savannah in the Albertine Valley floor in the south. The forest has suffered less from logging in the past compared to some other forests in the country. It is therefore still relatively pristine and home to some very big mahoganies, figs and other hardwood trees. Chimp trekking runs twice daily, at 8 AM and 2 PM. The habituated chimp community here is very relaxed and sightings are often excellent, but you might find that several trekking parties converge on one chimp group. For this reason, Kibale can feel crowded compared to other chimp trekking sites, especially in the morning (which is busier than the afternoon). Other guided activities include a full-day chimp habituation experience, forest walks, birding, night walks (to look for pottos and other nocturnal creatures) and visits to neighboring Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Best time to visit: Kibale National Park
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary was founded in 1998 and is home to 52 orphaned and confiscated chimpanzees rescued from the illegal pet and bushmeat trade. The sanctuary provides these magnificent creatures a haven in a semi-natural environment, which helps in their recovery from traumas. You will observe the chimps feeding on their supplemented diet from a viewing platform when you visit the place. The chimps can spend the night in the forest or return to their nighttime enclosures and receive an evening meal.
Chimpanzee Trekking
It is the top attraction in Kibale, with 90% of tourists visiting to participate in this unique and thrilling experience. The park has the best views of the chimpanzees, and it does not disappoint due to their large population. You can easily spot these beauties, the most sought-after apes after the endangered species of the mountain gorillas. Other places to spot these apes are Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Kalizu Forest and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Habituated chimpanzees' trek takes about 2-5 hours through the tropical rainforest jungles. Once found, you will have only one hour to watch their interaction and take photos or videos.
Wildlife Experience
The chimpanzee community visited by trackers in Kibale National Park is the most habituated in Uganda and sightings can be excellent. Primate diversity in the park is the highest in East Africa, with 13 species identified. Olive baboon, black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkey, Ugandan red colobus and Uganda mangabey are all regularly observed. Nocturnal primates include potto and three different species of bush baby. Kibale is one of only five places where Ugandan red colobus has been recorded, and it supports the world’s largest population of this endangered monkey. It is also an important stronghold for the endemic Uganda mangabey. Other seldom-seen forest dwellers include elephant, buffalo, giant forest hog, warthog, bushpig, bushbuck, blue duiker and Weyns’s duiker. Leopards are probably resident and lions might occasionally venture across from Queen Elizabeth National Park. Smaller forest carnivores include palm civet and golden cat.
Birdlife
Kibale Park is home to more than 350 attractive and colourful bird species, making it a paradise for birders. The park is home to endemic and migratory birds, which include the African pitta, tinker bird, little greenbul, woodland warbler, yellow spotted nicator, white-napped pigeon, African grey parrot, olive long-tailed cuckoo, blue-breasted kingfisher, red chested owlet, purple breasted sunbird, black bee-eater among others.
Best time to visit
Kibale National Park can be visited anytime. It is a tropical rainforest with unpredictable weather; rain can pour anytime. However, the rains are less during the dry seasons.it is advisable to carry warm clothing. The best times to visit the park are during the dry seasons, December to February & June to September.
Getting There?
By Air: Kibale Forest National Park is accessed by flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield in Kampala using Aerolink or Fly Uganda to various airstrip including Nyakisharara near Mbarara, Mweya, Kihihi, Kasese and Semliki. The flight time is approximately 1 hour to either Mweya or Kasese. After landing, proceed on a road transfer for about 1 hour 30 minutes to your lodge.
By Road: Kampala-Mubende-Fort Portal Highway is the shortest route to Kibale Forest National Park. The drive is about 309km and takes approximately 5-6 hours on a suitable surface road. From Fort Portal Town to Kibale Park headquarters (Kanyachu Visitors Center), a further drive of roughly 26km takes 30-45 minutes.
Route 2: Kampala -Hoima-Fort Portal Kibale Route: The drive starts from Entebbe to Ziwa Rhino in Nakasonga for Rhino tracking. The journey is about 305km, taking an approximately 4-6 hours drive. After a memorable experience in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, you will proceed to Murchison Falls National Park on an approximately 68.7 km and 1-2 hours drive. Later, proceed to Fort Portal Town, Uganda’s cleanest town, and drive to Kibale Park headquarters, approximately 26 km away.
Related Top Destinations
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Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is Uganda’s main gorilla trekking destination and a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is home to 460 mountain gorillas, which is some 43% of the global population.
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Kibale National Park
There are 13 primate species, including L’ Hoest’s monkeys, East Africa's largest population of the endangered species, Ugandan red colobus monkeys, the black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys, grey-checked mangabeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and bush babies. The park has approximately 350 bird species and approximately 250 Butterfly species.
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Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo is Uganda’s third largest national park, and only Queen Elizabeth National Park contains greater biodiversity. Kidepo is home to 77 mammal species and the park offers great opportunities for game viewing.
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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest park in Uganda. It is located on the southwestern side and covers an area of 33.9 sq km (13.1 sq mi). It is one of the few parks in the world that is a haven for mountain gorillas. Additionally, the park is home to golden monkeys, a unique type of primate that is also found in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The park is also home to about 39 mammal species and 115 bird species.
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Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is the largest park in Uganda. The park covers an area of 1483 sq miles(3840 sq km). It is located in northern Uganda at the reaches of the Albertine Rift Valley, with its terrain bisected by the Victoria Nile River. The park is a must-see when visiting Uganda. It is renowned for its most powerful Murchison Waterfall, which emits approximately 300 cubic meters of water per second or 11,000 ft3/s and is the park's main attraction.
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Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular safari destination. Dominated by grassland savannah, this diverse park also incorporates rainforests, swamps and volcanic crater lakes. Four of the Big Five are present (no rhino), along with chimps and various antelopes and monkeys. A staggering 610 bird species have been recorded.
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Semuliki National Park
Semliki national park is famous for being home to the largest population of Uganda kobs and birds. The park is a rich wildlife destination with a variety of tourist attractions. The reserve hosts a number of mammals approximately 53 species for example antelopes, buffaloes, Uganda knobs, waterbuck, leopards, lions and forest elephants, primates such as black and white colobus monkey, olive baboons, red tailed monkey, and vervet monkey.