Kibale National Park is a great place to see a variety of Chimpanzee primates. It’s geographically located in the Western part of Uganda, covers a total area of 560 square kilometers and was declared as a National Park in 1993.
The biggest part of the Park is occupied by moist evergreen and semi deciduous forests, then other parts taken by Savannah grasslands and swamps. Forests in the Central part of the Park around Kanyanchu consists of a blend of evergreen trees and deciduous, vegetation rise up to 55m establishing a semi closed canopy of massive tree crowns.
According to rankings, this park harbors the greatest concentration of primates not found anywhere else in East Africa. More than 13 varied species breathe life in this 560 square kilometer area such as Blue monkey, Red tailed monkeys, Grey cheeked Mangabey, Chimpanzees, together with Black and White Colobus monkey species.
Since 1991 up to now, the population of chimpanzees is approximated to over 1000 individuals and part is habituated for tourism in Kanyanchu granting visitors a grand opportunity of meeting these primates in their natural habitats.
Besides Primates, the park is also home to over 325 species of birds including water birds and forest bird species. Some of these species include Orange tufted sun-bird, Green breasted pitta, White bellied crested flycatchers and Woodland warbler. What’s more are number of mammals including forest elephants, duikers, bush pig, buffaloes and bushbucks though some are rarely seen.
How to get there
Placed in the western part of Uganda, Fort portal is the nearest town to this Park. It can be accessed via several Options as highlighted below.
Direct from Kampala its 358 km taking about 5-7hours for the drive depending on speed used and stopovers included. Kampala – Mityana – Mubende – Fort portal is the usual route used. From Fort portal town, take the road to Kamwenge which starts near the bridge over Mpanga River.
This murram road runs for 36 km up to Kanyanchu tourism Centre where most of activities start from. Sebitoli forest camp is along the direct route from Kampala, about 16km to Fort portal. You can as well connect from Mbarara via Kamwenge road up to the suburbs of the Park.
Activities to do in the Park
Bigodi Walk
Bigodi Walk, a 4.5km long walk takes you through the corridors and swampy wetlands via boardwalks that are just above the waters. A mixture of multiple primate and bird sights, lush vegetation and serene atmosphere overwhelms a lot.
This walk takes three hours, you can do a morning walk which starts from 7:30 Am up to 9:00 Am or choose for the evening walk which starts at 3:00 PM. The walk costs $23 USD for non-residents, $20 USD residents but not Ugandans and $5 USD for Ugandans per person.
Chimpanzee Tracking
This must do rewarding activity is the main reason for most of Safaris to this evergreen packed Kibale Forest National Park.
With its variety of chimpanzee primate species, it’s very rare missing out on any single spot of a chimp. It’s where you go with 100 percent assurance of spotting a lot of the Chimpanzees.
For beginners, chimpanzee tracking generally involves meeting with these primates in the Jungles, see them feeding, playing, swinging up in the tree branches, mating and you are free to take a lot of photos and videos.
It’s done in a group and for Kibale, these excursions are offered in different sessions including morning, afternoon and evening. It requires a permit and this permit costs $250 USD per person.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience.
This is almost similar with Chimpanzee tracking but what differs is the time spent with these primates in the Jungles, for tracking the maximum time is one hour and then for habituation experience you can be with them for four hours or even full day. Its permit costs $300 USD per person.