Frequently Asked questions about Kibale National Park

Find top frequently asked questions about Kibale National Park here. Kibale National park is the epitome of habituated chimpanzees in Africa. Each day chimpanzee trekking takes two shifts the morning and afternoon. Kibale National Park occupies about 795 sq km of land. This tropical forest also gives home to an array of birds including the rare shoe bill.

The southern part of Kibale National Park is neighbored by Queen Elizabeth National Park and these protected areas are adjoined by 180km long migration strip. Several wild animals like elephats, duikers, Giant Forest Hog, warthogs cross into the forest to enjoy foliage and others hunt in the forest. This strip stretches from Ishasha in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park then Sebitoli Forest in Kibale

Kibale National Park is also the hang-out point for over 13 primate species like black and white colobus, olive baboons, Bush baby, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey to mention but a few.

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Questions Asked Questions about Kibale National Park

Where is Kibale Forest Located

Kibale National park is in East Africa in the western part of Uganda. Kibale is a divinest tropical forest and habitat to one of the biggest numbers of Primates in Uganda. Most parts of the park is forest cover especially in the North and central parts close to Fort Portal plateau.

The park lies at an altitude of 1590 m above sea level. The varied altitude of Kibale forest provided comfortable habitats for different wild animals like primates, forest elephats, duikers, giant forest hogs, a rich bird life, warthogs to mention but a few. The forest is made up of wet tropical forest on Fort portal plateau to dry tropical forest to woodland and savannah close to the rift valley floor.

Kibale National Park receives varying rain fall especially the northern sector with about 1700mm. The park’s wettest months are March to May and November. Kibale National Park lies in the view goldmine of Ndali to Kasenda. Some of the outstanding views include Kyaninga Lake view.

What To Do In Kibale National Park

Chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee trekking is the main activity in Kibale National Park. Two shifts are available that is morning and afternoon chimpanzees trekking shifts. You follow the chimpanzees with the ranger guide but the chimpanzees may get to see you before you find them. They operate a spy network that warns the rest of the group of your presence.

 The Chimpanzee habituation is also available where you follow the partially wild chimpanzees in the forest familiarize them to human presence. This is done especially in the shoulder seasons that is March to May or November when there less tourist visits. With researchers, you rise up early morning ( 0500 hrs to 0630 hrs) to watch the chimpanzees de-nesting. Follow them till nesting time in late evening.

A number of other primates also spend the day in the forest like red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, bush baby, L’Hoest’s and others. A visit to Bigodi swamp gives you chance to enjoy more of these incredible primates

Other Actvities To Do In Kibale National park

Birding in Kibale National park

This tropical rain forest is home to a rich birdlife including some Albertine endemics. It rich habitats like the swampy vegetation give safe haven to water birds like the shoe bill.  The best forest birding is along the main road from Kanyanchu Visitor Center to the bridge.

Some of the birds you may identify in Kibale National Park include, Scaly Francolin, Grey-headed olive-back, Black-crowned Waxbills, Black and White Mannikin

Community Walks

Bigodi Wetland Sactuary

This is a community bases walk situated on the outskirts of the park in Magombe Swamp. During this walk, you have higher chances to identify primates like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons and others

A number of other forest wild animals also enjoy this swamp like bush bucks, otters, mongoose and sitatunga.

An awesome number of birds about 138 species spend the day in the forest. These can be seen when at the view platform plus the board walk trail.

Kihingani Wetland Walk

You go through the Kihingani wetland on the fringes of Kibale National Park Sebitoli sector. You get to identify a number of birds that linger the Swamp all day.

Children Activities in Kibale National Park

Travelling with family including children below 12 years yields a lot of questions whether they will be included in the forest experiences. Although the age limit for chimpanzee trekking is 12 years and above, children below this have activities to do while in the park too.

With there special ranger guide, the children take an educational walk for about 1 hour to 2 hours learning about birds, plants, small creatures that are less harmful, monkeys. They get a personal insight into the ecosystem and its inhabitants.

They do some engaging games like pond dipping, cyanotype, photography and batik making. As you go chimpanzee trekking, you are rest assured that the children are catered for.

What Accommodation To Book In Kibale National Park

Overnight in Kibale National Park or outside Kibale National park is amazing as you feel the effect of the forest cool breeze. A number of accommodation facilities ranging from Luxury to Moderate to Modest are available.

Some accommodations in Kibale National Park Include

Primates Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Kibale Safari Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, chimps Nest, Chimps guest house, Mountains of the moon hotel, Virika guest house

Most of these facilities offer full board services and those that do not run restaurant services too.

How To Get To Kibale National Park

By road

Two routes can be used to access Kibale National Park from Kampala city.

1. Kampala to Mubende to Fort Portal

This is the northern route to Kibale National Park. It takes about 4 hours driving on 300km of tarmac Fort Portal town then drive through 36m of murram to arrive Kanyanchu. You may opt to overnight in Fort Portal and trek chimpanzees in Kibale National Park.

• Kampala to Mbarara to Kamwenge

This route goes passed Queen Elizabeth National Park then to Sebitori forest camp the other tourists center for Kibale National Park.

By Air

Daily domestic schedules flights depart from Entebbe or Kajjansi Air strip to Kasese air strip then one needs a transfer vehicle to Kibale National Park. These operate morning and afternoon daily flights.

Charter flight arrangements are available upon request.

What To Pack For Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park

• A pair of binoculars to give you a clearer picture of the chimpanzees especially during severe rainy season when they feed from up the trees.
• Energy treats to keep you moving while searching to locate the chimpanzees
• A camera with a good lens to capture moments with the chimpanzees and forest inhabitants that come into view.
• Long trousers and sleeved shirt with a dirt friendly color like khaki, army camouflaged is forbidden to wear in Uganda so try not to pack it.
• Insect repellant comfortable on your skin that will protect you from insect bites. The jungle has stinging insects that roam the park all day long.
• Tracking boots comfortable enough to take you through the jungle without slipping or getting pricked by sharp objects.
• Rain proof gadgets as this is a tropical rain forest that may receive rain even out of season.

When Is The Best Time For Visiting Kibale National Park

Kibale National park being a chimpanzee tracking destination is best visited in the drier months that is June to September and December because the chimpanzees feed closer to the ground.Even the wet months March to May or November one can do chimpanzee trekking but expect some rain showers while searching.

How Much Is Chimpanzee trekking In Kibale National Park

Each Chimpanzees trekking permits cost foreign Nonresidents $150 per person per trek, Foreign residents $100 and east African Residents Ugsh 100,000 in Kibale National park. These permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority.

How Long Is Chimpanzee Trekking In Kibale National Park

Each day two chimpanzee trekking shifts are conducted in Kibale National Park that is morning and afternoon shift.

Only 6 people are allowed per group and depending on the conditions in the forest, chimpanzee trekking may take between 3 hours to 5 hours in the forest. You follow the trail where the chimpanzees were seen the previous day.

When you locate them, just one hour is allowed with the chimpanzees so that they can be left to continue feeding. They need to feed without any interference.

How safe is Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park being a forest park raises questions about its safety. Kibale is safe for all activities like chimpanzee trekking, birding nature walks and more.

Before proceeding for any activities, tourists gather at the visitor center (Kanyanchu or Sebitori) for briefing. This is to equip each body with information about the forest and its inhabitants like chimpanzees, forest elephants, duikers and so much more. Never enter the forest without a ranger.

You need to stay close to the rest of the group so that you are not lost in the forest. The ranger guide follows the pace of the slowest trekker but do not drag the entire crew.

What Do Chimpanzees Feed On

Chimpanzees are mainly vegetarian but during times of extreme scarcity and drought, they may eat monkeys though it’s a rare situation especially for a park as rich in vegetation as Kibale Forest.

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