Kibale National Park is the most magnificent of Uganda’s tropical rainforests and one of the most rewarding areas to explore. Established at the end of the 18th century, Kibale boasts 13 species of primates, including the localized Red Colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys and the endemic Uganda Mangabey. Kibale’s major attraction is the chimpanzee, the delightful ape, most closely to humans than to any other living creature. These can be seen on tree branches as one trek through the forest trails. While you enjoy your tour in this sunny side of nature, you have a lifetime opportunity to sight over 300 bird species. The 180km long migration corridor for wildlife also inhabits mammals like the elusive forest elephants, buffalos, giant forest hogs and half a dozen antelope species; thereby making it one of the most stunning parks in Uganda.
Situated ideally in the heart of the Tooro Kingdom in western Uganda, near Fort Portal, the park lies close to the tranquil Ndali-Kasenda crater area and is within a half-day drive of Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori Mountains and Semuliki National Parks. The park became a government forest reserve in the early 1940s.
Accessibility:
Roads
The 795km park can be accessed from Uganda’s capital Kampala, along a newly surfaced road via Kasese (near Queen Elizabeth National Park). The park can also be reached from Kampala via Mubende and Fort Portal or through Mbarara and Kamwenge. There is daily public transport between Kampala and Fort Portal by bus.
Air Travel
Kibale National park has access to two airstrips; Nyakisharara airstrip in Mbarara (about 98km through Kamwenge from Kanyanchu) and Kasese airstrip, 75km from Fort Portal town. It can also be reached from the airstrip in Tooro/Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, only 86km from Kanyanchu.
Activities:
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) allows you to accompany Kibale’s researchers and habituators as they follow chimpanzees during their daily activity, thereby getting them used to human presence without altering their natural behaviour. This is an all day, and early visitors may see the spectacular scenes of chimps de-nesting, feeding, copulating, hunting, breastfeeding, resting, patrolling and displaying until they build new nests and retire for the night around 7:00 pm. (Note: Advance booking is essential.)
Primate Walks (Chimpanzee Tracking)
Also, you can experience and participate in the chimpanzee tracking walks, which start from the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre at 08:00 am and 02:00 pm and last 2-3 hours. Park guides are readily available to take tourists through this ritual. This walk is for six persons per group, and advance booking is essential.
Day Hikes/Nature Walks
This is an exploration of the park’s diverse habitats providing very close contact with nature. The walks begin at 08:00 am, 10:00 am and 2:00 pm from the Kanyanchu Tourist Centre and take about 2-3 hours.
Bird Watching and Night Nature Walk
Kibale National Park boasts 372 bird species, of which 60 percent are recorded in Uganda’s forest birds. Bird watchers can spot various species of these birds as they enjoy the various activities in the park. Also, there is a night nature walk which allows visitors to track the unique species of birds, animals and insects, such as bats, owls, pottos, bush babies, civets, genet cats, and eastern needle nailed, that are most active at night.
Children’s Activities
Only children above 12 years are allowed to go into the forest to view the chimps. Kibale has a variety of activities for children under 12 years, including educational forest walks of 1-2 hours followed by creative activities like pond dipping, cyanotype photography and batik-making. The children can learn about the ecosystem and its inhabitants through these educational forest walks. Parents can enjoy their forest walk with the knowledge that their children are occupied in worthwhile activities with trained ranger guides.
Cultural Heritage and Nature Trail
Follow a 2-6 days cultural heritage and nature trail through the tropical forest and meet local people and gain insights into their cultures. The full walk can start or end at either Kanyanchu or Seboitoli. Explore the forest during the day, and end for a rest at the community-run campsites near the villages of Kinono, Nyaibanda and Nyakalongo. Porters can be hired to carry equipment. The walk is most exciting in groups of up to 6 people. (Note: Pre-booking is essential).