Kibale Forest National Park is located in the western part of Uganda covering 795km2 with an altitude of 1590m with a beautiful and tract tropical rain forest close to the beautiful town of Fort Portal. The park inhabits plenty of forest wildlife most especially chimpanzee and 13 species of primates, 375 species of birds, there are also an incredible 250 species of butterfly.
Kibale National Park was established in 1995 primarily to protect the forest, The Kibale – Fort Portal area is one of Uganda’s most rewarding destinations to explore whereby the Park has the largest chimpanzee population standing at approximately 1500 individuals and is the best place to trek habituated wild chimpanzees in the whole of Africa.
The park visitor center is at Kanyanchu, 35km southeast of Fort Portal
Chimpanzee trekking
Kibale National Park has a well-established Chimpanzee-tracking program with a high success rate. Primate species here are; the olive monkeys, grey checked Mangabey, red-tailed monkey, baboons, black & white colobus, and the blue monkeys.
Among the other animals living inside the park are: elephants, buffaloes, leopards, bush pigs, Duikers, warthogs, hippos among many others. The guided night walks are also rewarding: Potto, Spectacled Demidoff’s and Thomas’s Galagos
Birding
The area is blessed with over 375 bird species and 250 species of butterflies, this, therefore, makes a great potential to bird lovers to explore forest birds and view different species like Grey-throated Flycatcher, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Masked and Black-capped Apalis, Uganda Woodland Warbler, Chestnut-winged Starling, Orange-tufted and Tiny Sunbirds, Grey-headed Olive-back among others.
Swamp walk
This yet another activity that can supplement your tracking experience as you walk through local community projects which can include visiting coffee plantations, Ndali kitchen where a variety of fruits and vegetables are grown, vanilla plantations among others where you can as well directly support local communities.
Chimpanzee habituation
This is yet another thrilling experience where you get to enjoy four hours of experience with Chimpanzees in the jungle. The process is aided by researches along with the guide who is willing to describe the entire process that chimpanzee undergoes before being open for visitors upon trekking. Chimpanzee habituation experience, therefore, gives you a chance to learn about the behaviors of the chimps and as well as develop research skills.
Bigodi wetland
This is another outstanding and interesting experience where you can get to observe different bird species with the great diversity of sights and sound and as well upon this, you can be able to see various different primate species in just a short while.
There several accommodation centers, Rwenzori View Guest House, Kibale Safari Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Papaya Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge among others.
A variety of interesting activities make Kibale Forest National Park a worthwhile Uganda safaris destination. Book with safari vacations & travel services Ltd for a marvelous trip to Kibale forest-Fort Portal tourism city.