Kibale National park

Kibale National park

Kibale national park  is found western Uganda lieing at the altitude range between 1100 meters to 1600 meters, kibale national park protects a moist green forest covering an area of 766 square kilometers thus being one of the last remaining expanses on earth to contain both lowland and montane forests. Kibale national park forms a continuous forest with queen Elizabeth National Park which is a 180 kilometers wildlife corridor, this corridor stretches from north of kibale in sebitoli to Queen Elizabeth’s southern sector Ishasha and it is used by animals to migrate between two areas. The park was first gazetted in 1932 to conserve the diverse flora and fauna from human activities of poaching and cutting down of trees and in 1993 it was declared a national park.

Kibale national park is found in kibale- fort region one of the most prominent tourism regions in western Uganda, the park is close to areas like Ndali- kasenda crater region, Rwenzori Mountains and semuliki national park. The park is a re-known ecological system with moist green forest protected in the park is consists of various species of trees recorded to be over 381 species such as herbs, ferns, shrubs and many more, the forest is a habitant for many primates especially chimpanzee recorded to be over 1500 individuals which are the reason why kibale national park is famous and loved by tourist who come to the park for chimpanzee tracking experience. From chimpanzee kibale national park forests there is other primates found in the park such as Vervet Monkeys, Red Tailed Monkeys, L’hoests Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, gray-cheeked Mangabey Monkeys, Red Colobus, Black and White Colobus and Olive Baboons.

Kibale forests and kibale national park habit other mammals such as Forest Elephants, Forest Buffaloes, Hippos, Warthogs, Giant Forest Hogs, Bush pigs, bushbuck Antelopes, Golden Cats, Leopards, Sitatunga, red, blue Duikers and nocturnal animals such as bush babies and Pottos. Kibale national park is also a good birding home with many bird species recorded to be over 250 in number which live in the thick forests of kibale, these birds include green-breasted pitta, African pitta, Abyssinian ground thrush, crowned eagle, dusky crimsonwing, black-capped apalis, collared apalis, purple-breasted sunbird, black bee-eater, yellow spotted Nicator, little greenbul, black-eared ground thrush, brown-chested alethe, yellow-rumped tinker bird, blue-breasted kingfisher and many more

The forest is dominated by patches of swamps, grasslands, dry tropical forest, woodland and savannah vegetation, which are home to most of the wildlife find in the park. Kibale national park offers many tourist attractions for a great experience and entertainment of tourists. These activities include

Chimpanzee tracking

Kibale national park is a forested destination hosting a huge population of chimpanzees and other primates in the thick forests, because of the big numbers of chimpanzees in the forests the park offers one of the most breathing taking chimpanzee tracking safaris in Africa. Chimpanzee tracking involves hiking through the thick forests looking for chimpanzees in their habitants, these chimpanzees tracked in the forests underwent through habituation procedure which means these are used to the presence human beings/ tourists and they are less hostile towards them. Chimpanzees are known for wondering through different regions of the forests that is why you have to embark on their search, after finding these amazing creatures you are allowed to stay with them for only one hour but that one hour is enjoy your experience memorable. On chimpanzee tracking experience you do not only see chimpanzees but also see other primates such as black and white colobus monkeys, baboons and many more you also view many bird species. To participate in chimpanzee tracking in kibale national park you need a chimpanzee tracking permit which is bought at the offices of the Uganda wildlife authority.

Chimpanzee habituation experience

Chimpanzee habituation experience in kibale national park is a bit similar to chimpanzee tracking but unlike chimpanzee tracking it offers you more time with the chimpanzees. This activity kicks off early in the morning with briefing then ascend into the forests, chimpanzee habituation experience allows you a full day with the chimpanzees and you can participate in activities like feeding the chimpanzees and the habituation process in guidance of researchers and guides. Like chimpanzee tracking to participate in the habituation experience you need a chimpanzee habituation permit which costs a bit higher than the chimpanzee tracking permit

Forest nature walks

Kibale national park is Avery fascinating destination cover with green nature created by evergreen thick forests trees, the forest trees are home to many animals and give out cool breeze and unpolluted air in the park. Nature walks in kibale national park is an opportunity for you as a tourist to enjoy the nature of the forest on foot, while walking in the forests you view many animals such as chimpanzees, blue monkeys, black and while colobus monkeys, olive baboons and many more. Nature walks start from kanyanchu or sebitoli and it cover a distance of approximately 12 kilometers as an activity.

Night forest walk

Night forest walk in kibale national park happens during the evening hours offering you an opportunity to see nocturnal animals living in the forests of kibale, with the help of a spotlight the 1 and a half hour walk you view spot like Pottos, bush babies and many more peacefully hanging on the trees.

Hiking to the crater lakes

Kibale national park is located near the magnificent Ndali-kasenda crater lakes where crater hiking safari takes place, on this activity you hike through the forests reaching to the top of the crater lakes. These lakes include lake Nkuruba, lake Nyabikere, lake Nyinambuga, lake lyantonde and many more.

Cultural visits

Kibale national park’s boundaries are habited by local communities that the batooro and baking a people where community visits take place, these commune are adjacent to the park which makes it easy to reach them. In these communities you are entertained by local songs and dances, local cultural wears and various local activities like local methods of cultivating the land, rearing of livestock and many more.

Bush craft activities for children

Kibale national park offers bush craft activities for children who cannot take part in activities like chimpanzee tracking, bush craft activities involves children friendly activities like painting and nature walks on the low altitude  of the forests. This activity is led by child friendly rangers which make sure your child is not only entertained throughout the safari but also safari.

Where to stay in kibale national park

Kibale national park is surrounded by many hotels and lodges which offer beds, rooms, and other services. These establishments include primate lodge, Kibale forest camp, Turaco treetops, Rweteera safari park, Ndali lodge, crater safari lodge, crystal safari lodge, Kyaninga lodge and many more.