Kibale Forest National Park is located in western Uganda covering the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjonjo, Kamwenge and Kyegegwa. Kibale forest national park is a tropical forest and is a habitat of number of forest wildlife, about 1500 chimpanzee individuals, bird species, Tree species, reptiles, Monkeys, butterflies, Mammals and other wildlife. The road trip from Kampala/Entebbe is about 4-5hours drive. Visiting Kibale forest national Park is the biggest advantage to enjoy thrilling experiences such as chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation as the most sought activities. Chimpanzees are among the endangered species in the world, Kibale National park is referred to as the Primate capital having about 20 primate species which is the highest density in all of Africa. Chimpanzees are the second famous primates after the Mountain Gorillas, and they also have 95% human DNA.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Kibale National Park
Chimpanzee Habituation experience is one of the things to do in Kibale National Park. During this activity, you will well spend four amazing hours with the chimpanzees in Kibale forest National Park. Here, you will visit the chimpanzee community that is under the process of habituation with researchers, guides and rangers as they make effort for the chimpanzees to get used to humans. The chimps can seem wild, hide and run away for the visitors, but once you meet them you will observe the way they feed, move, and live in communities and their interaction.
According to the UWA-Tariff for 2021-2022, The chimpanzee habituation permit for Kibale forest national park costs USD250 per person Non-Foreign Residents, USD250 Per person Foreign Residents and Uganda shillings 200,000 for East African Citizens, This chimpanzee habituation permit allows you to view and stay with the chimpanzees for four hours as you move with them, observe the way they feed, live and communicate. It is an experience conducted by the Researchers and Forest guides.
Bigodi Wetland Walk and Cultural encounter
Bigodi wetland walk takes place at the Bigodi wetland sanctuary located in Magombe swamp, the swamp is a wide array of attractions with prime attractions being the primates and birds, primate species include the red colobus monkey, baboon, black & white colobus monkey, blue monkey grey cheeked, mangabey, vervet monkey, red tailed monkey and the L’Hoest monkey. Additional Mammals such as chimpanzees, Sitatunga, mongooses, bush pigs, otters plus bush bucks. Bird species so we will expect to encounter specialties that includes; Green-breasted Pitta, Red-chested Owlet, Scally-breasted, Pale-breasted and Brown Illadopsis, Red-caped and Blue-shouldered Robin-chat, Fire-crested and Brown-chested Alethe, Forest Robin, Buff-spotted, Brown-eared and Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Red-winged Francolin, Black-billed Turaco, White-naped and Afep Pigeon, Red-tailed Ant-thrush, Rufous Flycatcher
During the walk you will as well have a chance to visit the local communities where you will have cultural encounters including local dances, local way of life, local juices and foods among others. The walk gives a luxury experience as it is very Authentic.
How to get to Kibale National Park?
By Road: Kibale national park can be accessed by road as it only 4-5 hours’ drive from Kampala/Entebbe. The road trip takes you through the beautiful scenery of western Uganda, the plantations and the hospitable Uganda people. Our road trips start early morning at 8:00am to beat off traffic and arrive in the afternoon at your booked hotel/camp/lodge.
By Air: You can as well fly to Kasese Airstrip and then access Kibale forest national park with in 2hours and less tiring than a road trip. There are daily domestic flights to Kasese Airstrips, Aerolink Uganda operates Morning and afternoon flights to Kasese Airstrip from Entebbe international Airport, considering your itinerary you can opt for chattered or scheduled flights for your honeymoon vacation in Kibale National Park.
What is the best time to visit Kibale National Park?
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park is best done in the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for Chimpanzee trekking in the Forest, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for viewing the chimpanzees offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of April, May and November which is normally a wet season this makes the vegetations grow high making the sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact chimpanzees don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park can be done throughout the year given the fact it is a very well organized activity and you have 99% chances of seeing the Chimpanzees.
Where to stay in Kibale National Park?
Kibale national park has a number of choices for you to select where to stay, there are number of options ranging from budget to Luxury lodges, most hotels and lodges have something special for newlyweds from complimentary cocktails to room upgrades. The lodges are found in the out skirts of the forest which cottages having views to the forest or crater lakes and you will have to drive a few minutes to the park headquarters. You can stay at Ndali lodge, Crater safari lodge, Kyaninga lodge and Papaya as luxury options, then Primate Lodge and Turaco tree tops for midrange option, you can stay chimpanzee forest guest house, Isunga lodge for those on a tight budget. There is also an option of staying in hotel is Fort portal town which is the closest town to Kibale forest.
Activities in Kibale Forest National Park
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee trekking is the main adventurous thing to do in Kibale Forest National Park. The activity allow you to see the chimpanzees in their natural Environment and they are very interesting to Watch. Kibale National Park is referred to as the Primate capital and it has the highest population of Chimpanzees in Uganda. The chimpanzee Trekking permit is issued to those interested to see the chimpanzees that are already used to people and only allows one hour of viewing and staying with the chimpanzee once you find them. This permit costs USD 200 per person Non-Foreign Residents, USD150 Per person Foreign Residents and Uganda shillings 150,000 per person for East African Citizens. There are three sessions for chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale forest national park Namely; Morning session that starts at 8:00am, Mid-morning session that starts at Mid-day and the afternoon session that starts at 2pm through put the year. You will enjoy this experience with your loved one in the jungle of Kibale National Park.
Birding in Kibale Forest National Park
For couples who love birds, Birding is another activity to do in Kibale Forest National Park, it is among Uganda’s best birding spots with over 350 bird species which include; Albertine rift endemic birds which 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 among others.
Crater Lakes Tour in Kibale Forest National Park
This involves a walk to the top of the hill called Nyamirima where you will see 5 beautiful crater lakes surrounding Kibale Forest National Park, you will have a chance for sightseeing, taking pictures and meeting up with the local community who will share with you their day to day life. You can as well access some of the lakes for canoeing.