5 Luxury things to do in Kibale National Park

Are you planning a trip and you are not sure of the time you want to spend with the primates while on your visit? Here are 5 Luxury things to do in Kibale National Park. Most travelers’ expectations are to see the chimpanzees in their natural habitat and interact with them, your dream will come true when you visit the chimpanzees in Kibale forest National Park. 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 most famous primates after the Mountain Gorillas, and they also have 95% human DNA.

About Kibale National Park

Kibale Forest National Park is one of the best chimpanzee safari destinations in Africa to visit. The chimpanzees in their natural environment.  The forest 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 a number of forest wildlife, about 1500 chimpanzees, bird species, Tree species, reptiles, monkeys, butterflies, Mammals, and other wildlife. The road trip from Kampala/Entebbe is about 4-5hours drive. Kibale national park has contributed immensely to the tourism industry in Uganda through primate tourism and cultural experiences as leading activities.

Visiting Kibale forest national park is the biggest advantage to enjoying 5 luxury things such as chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation as the most participated in activities. The park is under the management of the Uganda wildlife Authority. Chimpanzee permits are very essential to determine how many hours you will spend with the chimpanzees in Kibale forest national park. Contact Encounter Africa safaris to tailor your interest into a memorable experience on your chimpanzee safari to Kibale forest national park.  We do provide adequate information to travelers on chimpanzee permits, trekking, habituation, Uganda general travel information, and alternative activities in Kibale National Park.

What are the 5 luxury things to do in Kibale forest National Park?

Chimpanzee tracking

Chimpanzee trekking is the main Luxury thing to do in Kibale Forest National Park. The activity allows 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 for 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; the Morning session that starts at 8:00 am, the Mid-morning session that starts at Mid-day, and the afternoon session that starts at 2 pm throughout the year.

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience

Chimpanzee Habituation experience is one of the 5 luxury things to do in Kibale Forest 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 from 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 for 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, velvet monkey, red-tailed monkey, and the L’Hoest monkey. Additional Mammals such as chimpanzees, Sitatunga, mongooses, bush pigs, otters plus bushbucks and Bird species so we will expect to encounter specialties that include; 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 luxurious experience as it is very Authentic.

Birding in Kibale forest National Park

Birding is also a luxury 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

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 locals community who will share with you their day to day life. You can as well access some of the lakes for canoeing.

How can one access Kibale forest National Park?

Kibale forest national park can be accessed by road as it is only a 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 8:00 am to beat off traffic and arrive in the afternoon at your booked hotel/camp/lodge.

You can as well fly to Kasese Airstrip and then access Kibale forest national park within 2hours which is less tiring than a road trip. There are daily domestic flights to Kasese Airstrips in Queen Elizabeth national park, Aero link Uganda operates Morning and afternoon flights to Kasese Airstrip from Entebbe international Airport, considering your itinerary you can opt for chattered or scheduled flights to see the chimpanzees in Kibale forest National Park.

Where can one stay in Kibale forest National Park?

Kibale forest national park has a number of choices for you to select where to stay, there are a number of options ranging from budget to luxury lodges, all with a service worth your money paid. Most of the lodges are found on the outskirts of the forest which cottages having views of 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 are luxury options, then Primate Lodge and Turaco treetops for midrange option, you can stay at Chimpanzee forest guest house, Isunga lodge for budget clients.  There is also an option of staying in hotels in Fort portal town which is the closest town to Kibale forest.

Why book with Encounter Africa safaris

Encounter Africa safaris is experienced in organizing amazing experiences to Uganda and Rwanda and has recently expanded to offer safaris services to Tanzania, Kenya, and D R Congo. For the last ten years, we have overtime assembled a team mixed with young and energetic staff guided by well-experienced mature managers and directors who are Ugandans and passionate about what they do. If contacted, one of our staff will assist in providing accurate and timely information that you can rely on within the Five Minutes. Encounter Africa Safaris is highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor and safari bookings, Visit our Website www.gorilla-tracking-uganda.com for a tailored trip advising you on the 5 luxury things to do in Kibale Forest National Park.