Kibale Forest National Park, Chimpanzee Tracking Tours in Uganda
Kibale Forest National Park is located in Southern Uganda covering an area of 766 square kilometres (296 sq mi) at an elevation between 1,100 metres (3,600 ft) to 1,600 metres (5,200 ft). It was officially opened as a National Park in 1993 and has continuous forest vegetation with Queen Elizabeth National Park with chimpanzees which are the most prominent attraction here. There are other 12 primates that can be tracked here as well and these include; Uganda mangabey, L’Hoest Monkeys, White and black Colobus Monkeys, blue monkeys and wildlife animals like the red and blue duikers, Bushbucks, Sitatungas, Bush pigs, Giant forest hogs, Warthogs and African buffalo.
The bird species that can be seen here include; the olive long-tailed cuckoo, western tinker bird, African and Green breasted pitas, grey parrot, the ground thrush (Turdus kibalensis) which is endemic.
The park is surrounded by two different tribes of people and these include the Batooro and Bakiga of Uganda.
Activities to Do in Park
Chimpanzee Tracking
This is the most prominent safari activity here due to the numbers of travelers that transfer here to experience the rare species of Chimpanzee. The process requires you to transfer through the forest from one place to another searching for the rare species of chimpanzees. You will take a period of 3-5 hours looking for these and when you meet them you will spend some time around them taking photos to keep for memories. The chimpanzee tracking permit costs US $150 per person interested. Book this to enjoy remarkable chimpanzee tracking safari tours.
3 Days Flying Safari to Bwindi Forest
4 Days Chimpanzees and Gorilla Tour
4 Days Gorillas and Golden Monkey Tracking Tour
5 Days Gorillas and Wildlife Tour
5 Days Wildlife and Gorilla Flying Tour
6 Days Chimps, Gorillas and Golden Monkeys
6 Days Gorillas and Wildlife Tours
6 Days Mt. Elgon and Sipi Falls Tour
7 Days Chimpanzees and Gorilla Tour
7 Days Mt. Rwenzori Hiking Tour
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
The chimpanzee Habituation experience is different from the tracking process since this takes the whole day staying with the chimpanzees from the time they wake up in the morning until night when they build new nests to spend the night. The chimpanzee habituation experience permit costs US $220 per person interested. You get a chance to stay and follow the chimpanzees throughout their daily activities. This will take you a whole day with the chimpanzees.
Nocturnal Forest Walk
This amazing safari activity is very exceptional as it gives travelers an opportunity to experience and adventure the nocturnal wildlife animals. You will spot the night hunter animals like the leopard, lions and primates like the potto, tree pangolins, bush baby and some species of birds. These are done in company of a skilled ranger guide as well as a torch to help you navigate easily through the forest.
Hiking and Nature Walks
The hikes and nature walks in the park are carried out both within and outside the park and these offer remarkable views of the forest vegetation, bird species and other primates like the monkeys jumping and interacting in their natural environment. There are numerous trails on which you can hike in Kibale Forest and the primates you will spot include the red monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys etc.
Bird Watching
With its beautiful forest vegetation, Kibale Forest is also a very good birder’s destination due to the numerous species of birds that inhabit the trees and vegetation. There are numerous bird species here that can be watched and these include; Chubb’s Cisticola, Black-capped Waxbill, Africa Shrike-flycatcher, African Black-headed Oriole, African Emerald Cuckoo, African Green-pigeon, Black-crowned Tchagra, African Wood Owl, African/Rwenzori/Abyssinian Hill-Babbler, Alpine Swift, Ashy Flycatcher, Barn Swallow, Black Bee-eater.
