Kibale national Park is located in the western part Uganda and it carries a large number of primates. It is famous for its inhabitation of about 1500 Chimpanzees. Kibale national park is located in the districts of Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kasese and kyenjojo. It is covered with green rain forests and is approximately 348km from Kampala city to Kibale National Park. Kibale national park however has numerous wildlife species besides chimpanzees and primates such as; buffaloes, elephants, spotted hyenas, warthogs, genets, wild African cats, serval cats, forest hogs, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, bush duikers including red and blue duikers, rock hyraxes, tree hyraxes, leopards, klipspringers, squirrels, side striped and black backed jackals, bush pigs among others.
Kibale national park is also filled with numerous birds species such as; western nicator, little greenbull, green beasted pitta, black bee-eater, white-naped pigeon, blue breasted kingfisher, Abyssinian, ground thrush, afep pigeon, lowland, masked Apalis, red chested owlet, blue headed sunbird, cassinn’s spinetail, purple breasted sunbird, red faced woodland warbler, brown chested alethe, black ered ground thrush, tropical bou bou, speakled tinker bird, brown eared wood pecker, brown earned wood pecker, bronzy sunbird, African pied wag tail, white collared olive back, speckled tinker bird, yellow billed barbet, black headed, blue throated roller, white winged swamp warbler, pin tailed whydab, papyrus gonolek, dusky crimson wing, Apalis, double toothed barbet, black and white casqued hornbill to mention but a few making it a birders ideal destination.
Tourist activities at Kibale national park.
Chimpanzee trekking and habituation experience; Chimpanzees are the most outstanding species of Primates at Kibale national park and while chimpanzee trekking, one can observe their behaviours, learn about how they create their houses for the night, learn about how these chimpanzees socialise with each other and other fun activities like how they mate to mention but a few .To be able to view these habituated Chimpanzees one requires a chimpanzee trekking permit of 250 USD for a foreigner who is non- resident, 200 USD per foreign resident and 200,000 UGX for each East African resident.
Wildlife viewing; Besides Kibale national park being known for its habituated chimpanzees, the green rain forests is also a home to numerous wildlife species like; buffaloes, elephants, spotted hyenas, warthogs, genets, wild African cats, serval cats, forest hogs, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, bush duikers including red and blue duikers, rock hyraxes to mention but are few. That are spread throughout the national park one with the aid of a guide can tour the Kibale national park to view the different wild animals while on a Uganda wildlife safari at Kibale national park.
Night forest walks; Guided night forest walks in the rain forests of Kibale national park can be a thrilling and fun filled activity. This happens while one takes the various trails in the forests and gets opportunity to view nocturnal wildlife species in Kibale National Park. However, It is important to note that this activity should only be done in the presence of a guide and an armed guide as it could be dangerous if carried out at individual basis.
Bird watching; Kibale national park is filled with various bird species that are spread throughout the trees at the national park. These numerous bird species shall indeed fulfil a bird viewers interest. The bird species at Kibale national park include; western nicator, little greenbull, green beasted pitta, black bee-eater, white-naped pigeon, blue breasted kingfisher, Abyssinian, ground thrush, afep pigeon, lowland, masked Apalis, red chested owlet, blue headed sunbird, cassinn’s spinetail, purple breasted sunbird, red faced woodland warbler, brown chested alethe, black ered ground thrush, tropical Bou Bou, speakled tinker bird, brown eared wood pecker, brown earned wood pecker, bronzy sunbird, African pied wag tail, white collared olive back, speckled tinker bird to mention but a few.
Cultural experience; Kibale national park is surrounded by the various tribes but it is mainly occupied by the Bakiga tribe of Ankole region. Tourists can learn about the cultural practices and traditions of the Bakiga people like their local crafts, traditional dances, traditional songs to mention but a few all these experiences shall brighten one Uganda chimpanzee trekking at Kibale national park.
Cycling; At times walking through the national park is more hectic, one can decide to use the bicycles available and ride throughout the national park while viewing the different wildlife species in Kibale National Park. This experience is more fun and thrilling as a tourist can do this as a group with the aid of the tour guide who guides them through the trails in the national park.
The best time to visit Kibale National Park is during the dry months of the year such as January, February, June, July, December, August and September. These are the best months to visit Kibale national park as the trails are more passable and it is easier to view the wildlife during this period.