Kibale national park
The park is found in western part of Uganda in the districts of Kibale and kabarole. The park is close to Rwenzori Mountains, Queen Elizabeth national park and Semuliki national park.
The park was first was first gazetted in 1932 as a crown forest area by the British. Besides protecting the lovely nature authenticity of Kibale. In 1948 Kibale forest was gazetted as a forest reserve under the British control that confirmed to cut down trees. In 19933 Kibale forest reserve was upgraded into Kibale national park to protect the great bio diversity of this forest. In years of 1994, the Uganda national parks (UNP) took over this park and full control of all the conservation work in Kibale forest.
Activities in Kibale national park
Chimpanzee trekking.
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the best activities that is sought after by many tourists who come to Uganda. Just like gorilla trekking, it involves trekking through the forest in search of chimpanzees that keep on swinging from one tree to the next. The activity might take few hours, or less but once you get to the chimpanzees, every group gets to spend an hour with them before trekking back to the camp.
Chimpanzee trekking starts early in the morning and every trek begins with the tour guides giving tourists the guide lines and rules that need to be followed. The best way to get a chimpanzee trek permit is by booking through a trusted local tour operator.
Bird watching
Kibale is a birdwatchers paradise. With more than 370 species have been recorded and many are forest specials including the sought after African pitta. Birding in the –park starts early in the morning at kanyanchu visitor center, under the guidance of an experienced bird guide. With a bird guide, travelers are guaranteed to spot a variety of bird species given that the guides know the best trails to take. The key bird species in the park include; green breasted pitta which is the most sought after, African pitta, Abyssinian ground thrush, crowned eagle, and black bee-eater among others.
Nature walks /hikes.
The Kibale forest walk trail is 12km long and the hike is usually done in the dry season from the month of June to September and mid-November to February, taking between 5 and 6 hours. Hiking tours offer you an opportunity to discover the parks assorted habitats such as swamps, grassland and tropical rainforest. The park offers several nature walk options catering to different interests and energy and these include the following; morning forest walk, night/nocturnal walks, the crater walks walk, swamp walks.
Culture visits
During cultural visits, you will be able to get a chance to meet the native Batooro people as well as the Bakiga immigrants staying around the park. During the Kibale cultural tours, you will visit a traditional village to see the traditional lifestyle of the Batooro, visit the local church, primary school, traditional healer and get closer to encounter with the natives. You will also enjoy the some energetic traditional dances.
Chimpanzee habituation.
Chimpanzee habituation is one of the most popular activities in the park. Kibale is special because it’s one of the few places where tourists can do both the standard chimpanzee trekking and go for the chimpanzee habituation experience. Chimpanzee habituation is the process of making chimps used to humans around them which takes about 2 years to complete the process. Chimpanzee habituation experience is more demanding and visitors are involved in all habituation activities. By the end of chimpanzee habituation, visitors should be familiar with all the individuals including their body markings and personalities.
Attractions in Kibale national park
Wildlife and bird species
Kibale national park animals are the wildlife that is found in the park premises that includes mammals, primates, birds and Reptiles. The Park is a natural haven to 120 mammals and 13 species of primates. The park is a unique eco-community with a range of animal species, birds and insects. Kibale forest and bigodi swamp are some of the reasons for the large number of bird species in the park. Majority of the birds have been spotted and recorded in the park between November and April. Visitors should not be surprised ton find lions and buffalos in Kibale forest because the Kibale wildlife corridor helps the animals to move freely from Queen Elizabeth national park to Kibale national park. Some of the bird species include; African pied wagtail, great blue turaco, and pin-tailed whydah among others.
Crater lakes
The crater lakes in Kibale national park were as a result of vulcanicity many millions of years ago. Some of the crater lakes contain fresh water and others are just empty depressions. Among these gorgeous lakes, some emit volcanic gasses and contain toxic green colored water.
Lake Nyabikere is the most popular Crater Lake, and is translated as the lake of frogs in the local language because of the number of frogs in the area. This ranks among the most visited crater lakes by most visitors on Uganda tours and safari in Kibale forest. Other crater lakes in Kibale national park include Lake Nkuruba, lake Kyaninga, lake Lyantonde and Lake Nyinambuga. For a memorable experience on your crater lakes tour in Kibale, you can decide to undertake a boat ride or do mountain biking just to explore the scenic beauty of these crater lakes.
Culture
Kibale national park is a home to authentic African culture, the park is surrounded by settlements of 2 local groups that is Bakiga and Batooro. These communities offer numerous authentic cultural activities like local dances and songs, local handmade crafts through their association.
Best time to visit Kibale national park
Kibale is always open throughout the year for any activity from chimpanzee trekking to night walks and camping. However the best time to visit the park is the dry season i.e. June to august and December to February. Despite the thrill in the dry season, the park is also awesome in the wet season. The wet season is the best time to plan your budget vacation to Kibale national park.
Accommodation in Kibale national park
Kibale national park has a wide range of accommodation facilities both inside and outside park, these accommodations are hospitable welcoming all visitors regardless of your status because they offer tailor made to fit your needs. The only accommodation facilities in Kibale inside the national park is primates’ lodge. Other accommodation facilities in the park are available outside and every lodge has a campsite with a restaurant serving both local and international cuisine. Budget accommodation is also found at bigodi, nkiga and ndari crater area known for its up market accommodation.
Take in the breathing views while you relax, read, enjoy a drink or catchup with friends in a restaurant and lounge.
Getting to Kibale national park
Each route to the park offers its own unique sights and experiences. Visiting Kibale is an adventure its self with both air and road transport options available.
By road
It makes a 5 hour drive from Kampala via Mityana, Mubende, and fort portal route. Alternatively Entebbe or Kampala – mbarara kamwenge.
By air
Direct flights to Nyakisharara air strip or kasese airstrip are available for those preferring to fly, then followed by a 3 – 4 hour drive.
