What Is Kibale National Park Famous For

Here is What Is Kibale National Park Famous For, Kibale National park is the largest habitat for habituated chimpanzees in Africa. Chimpanzees are famous for being the closest human cousins in the animal kingdom baring about 96% human DNA.

You must have a chimpanzee trekking permit for Kibale to be part of this expedition. This tropical rain forest occupies 795 sq km. A number of other primates also enjoy the freebies of Kibale Forest National Park some of which include black and white colobus, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, bush babies, olive baboons, bush babies to mention but a few

Over 325 bird species spend there day in Kibale National park busy constructing nests, searching for food, taking care of there chicks and so much more. With the help of an experienced birding guide, you can identify a wide range of birds including over 6 Albertine endemics.

Paying a visit to places like Bigodi Swamp you may get to see Collared Apalis, red faced woodland, Green-backed Twin Spot, blue-breasted kingfisher, yellow spotted nicator, purple-breasted sunbird, Black and White Mannikin, the scarce Grey-Headed Olive back to mention but a few

Most Popular Gorilla Safaris

• 3 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking
• 5 Day Gorilla and Chimp
• 8 Day Gorilla Tracking
• 2 Day Bwindi Gorilla Via Kigali
• 3 Day Uganda Gorilla Via Kigali
• 5 Day Chimp and Gorilla Habituation
• 3 Day Fly in Gorilla Habituation
• 3 Day Fly in Safari to Murchison Falls National Park
• 3 Day Bwindi Double trek via Kigali
• 5 Day Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Highlights

• Chimpanzee Trekking
• Guided Nature Walks
• Forest Hike in Kibale National Park
• Birding
• Chimpanzee Habituation
• Children’s Activities
• Mabere ga Nyinamwiru And Tooro Kingdom

Chimpanzee Trekking In Kibale National Park

The top activity in Kibale National park is chimpanzee trekking. You must acquire a chimpanzee trekking permit to be part if this life changing experience. Two sessions morning and afternoon chimpanzee trekking schedules are planned per day.

Having some chimpanzee trekking gears make you comfortable while in the forest. Each session you have to go for briefing at the Kanyanchu Visitor center. A number of guidelines are in place to protect the endangered lives of the chimpanzees. Some of which include do not eat near the chimpanzees, keep a distance of about 8 meters from the chimps when you find them, flash photography is prohibited to mention but a few.

The age limit for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National park is 12 years and above because children below this age may be frightened by the chimpanzees. They cannot withstand walking for a long time in case the chimpanzees are feeding from far.

Chimpanzees are suspicious of intruders in there vicinity even when they have been habituated to be in from of humans. There wild nature doesn’t vanish completely so do not feed them at any one time. they must look for there own meal. Only one hour is allowed with the chimpanzees when you locate them so use it maximum.

A number of other primates also find the Kibale forest comfortable habitat. Some of which include olive baboons, L’hoests’, black and white colobus monkeys, Bush babies, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and so many more.

Chimpanzee Habituation

Chimpanzee habituation in Kibale National park is an activity that helps chimpanzees get used to the presence of humans. In Kibale National Park you follow researchers and habituators who often follow the wild community of chimpanzees to get them used to human presence but not altering there nature.

Normally chimpanzee habituation is set for the low seasons that is March to May and November. you may get to see the chimpanzee de-nesting from about 0530 to 0630 hours then follow them for the entire day until renesting.

Forest Hike In Kibale National park

During the dry season, a forest walk for about 12 m starts from Kanyanchu Visitor center from 0800hours. This guide walk takes you through forest, riverine forest, swamp and grassland. The walk ends at the elephant wallow. Advance booking is necessary to go through all necessary requirements

Enjoy the soothing hymns from a variety of birds including Grey-headed Olive-back, Black-crowned Waxbills, sun birds, Green-backed Twin Spot, shoe bill, Abyssinian horn bill to mention but a few.

Incredible primates may be spotted too during this walk including blue monkeys, black and white colobus, blue monkeys, L‘hoest’s to mention but a few.

Birding In Kibale National Park

More than 325 bird species including 6 Albertine endemics are residents the so far recorded resident birds in Kibale forest National Park. By driving along on the main road from Kanyanchu Visitor Center to the bridge check out some birds like African Pitta, Francolin, Green-backed Abyssinian ground thrush, blue breasted Kingfisher, black bee eater, little greenbul to mention but a few.

Although Bigodi Sanctuary is located in Magombe swamp on the outskirts of the park, over 138 birds find a safe haven for them to stay. During a guided walk you may stand at the visitor platform or board walk to watch the fascinating avian life of this sanctuary.  

Children Activities

As parents move on for chimpanzee trekking, children below 12 years are not allowed to go. The Kibale forest authorities have programs for children that teach them about eco-tourism. The professional children’s guide takes them through short walks, pong dipping, cyanotype, batik making and so much more.

Parents need not worry about their children during chimpanzee trekking because all is in control.

Visit Mabere Ga Nyinamwiru and Tooro Kingdom

The surrounding of Kibale forest is very interesting so stepping outside the forest toMabere Ga Nyinamwiru the famous stalactites and stalagmite cave of Uganda. The Word Amebere ganyina Mwiru locally means breasts of Nyinamwiru. The local story surrounding them is interesting to listen too from the guide

To get through this walk, you slope to the bottom of a ridge, walk up to shrubs before a sparkling water fall comes into view.  Listen to the guide’s talk about the falls and its mythical story takes you through the romantic mythical story that led to its formation.

Taking of time to tours the Tooro Kingdom Palace is awesome. The Tooro King is the youngest to every be enthroned in the world at just three years old. Omukama is the title given to the Tooro King and the one reigning now is where the King is Omukama Oyo Rukidi Kabamba Iguru. The place lies on a hill giving you a beautiful panoramic view of Fort Portal town.

How To get To Kibale National park

Whether driving from Entebbe or Kampala the main capital of Uganda two routes can be used to get to Kibale National Park.

From Kampala to Mubende to Fort portal route at a distance of 300 km

Kampala to Mbarara to Kamwenge to Fort Portal then proceed for another 36 km to Kibale National Park.

To Sebitori Forest Camp expect to drive for about 16 km from Fort Portal. This center is located close to the Fort Portal Kampala road.

This circuit to or from Kibale National Park has great views along the way and you enjoy the experience of the country side of western Uganda. For a wonderful safari experience, you can decide to take Kampala-Mubende- Fort portal at the beginning and depart with Kibale-Fort Portal-Mbarara-Kampala.

By Air Flights

Domestic daily flights depart Kajjansi Air strip or Entebbe Airport in the morning and afternoon to Kasese air strip. Hire a transfer vehicle to Kibale National park prior to connect you to your final destination. There no ready Airstrip Cabs ready for you.

Charter flight services are available upon request a flights from Kajjansi Air Strip or Entebbe Air strip.

How To Book Chimpanzee Trekking Permits For Kibale National Park

After choosing the itinerary for your Uganda safari tour and the possible dates to start then chimpanzee permits can be booked. The Uganda wildlife Authority is the selling body for chimpanzee permits so we need to get availability. Just like gorilla trekking permits, chimpanzee permits are restricted in number.

Two sessions the morning and afternoon chimpanzee trekking times are available.  They get sold out to as per the conservation policy to limit the number of tourists who would trample on the vegetation which is the main food supplier for the chimpanzees.

$200 is the price for chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale National Park per day per person per trek.

What Accommodation To Book In Kibale National Park

Different accommodations of all budgets exists in Kibale National park and outside. These and graded according to Luxury facilities to Moderate Facilities to Modest accommodation facilities.

You can select your chimpanzee trekking safari accommodation from the list below. Ndali Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Primates Lodge, Mantana Luxury Tented Camp, Mountains Of the Moon Hotel, CVK, Chimpanzee Guest house, Rwenzori Guest house, Chimps Nest Camp to mention the list is endless.

What To Pack For Chimpanzee Trekking In Kibale National Park

• Safari hat to cover your hair from dripping water off the leaves.
• Sunscreen to protect your skin from sun rays that may damage it.
• Travel adapter to use in case you wish to recharge when your battery runs low
• A fleece or sweater to keep you warm especially in the morning and during severe rains seasons.
• Toiletries just in case your lodge doesn’t offer them like tooth paste, soap, bathing foam to mention but a few.
• Rain coat because this is a tropical forest with severe rainy seasons at times.
• Closed canvas shoes comfortable enough to with stands the forest conditions that are wet and dirty.
• Sun glasses to wear while at the pool relaxing or during the walk where flying insects can get into your eyes.
• Insect repellant to keep insects away during the chimpanzee trekking experience.
• Safari Long trousers and shirt especially convertible ones just in case you need to remove the bottom part or the arms while on safari.
• The camera to capture photos of your meeting with the chimpanzees

• A pair of Binoculars in case the chimpanzees are feeding from the tree top especially the severe wet seasons.

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