Kibale National Park is a protected area in western Uganda known for its largest population of chimpanzees in Africa. It is estimated that the park is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees, making it one of the best places in Africa to observe these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. The park also supports a wide array of other wildlife, including 13 species of primates, over 300 bird species, and various mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
The park is a popular destination for eco-tourism and scientific research. Visitors can participate in guided walks, habituation activities and chimpanzee tracking. Kibale’s most popular activity is the Kanyanchu Primate Walk where thirteen species can be sought, and a good variety of diurnal monkeys invariably encountered.
In 1932, it was first established as Kasenda-Kibale forest reserve and later in the 60s, the government created Kibale forest reserve aimed to conserve the diverse ecosystems and wildlife found in the area, including chimpanzees, forest elephants, and various species of monkeys and birds. In 1993, the reserve gained a national park status which enhanced protection of the park’s diversity and increased opportunities for tourism and research.
Kibale is one in all the most attractive national parks in Uganda with tropical rainforest, and a multiplicity of animals. Kibale Forest harbors the principal figure of chimpanzees and more than 1,450 are protected inside the park. At Kanyanchu, a community chimpanzee has been habituated for 16 years. This gives tourists a chance to see the great apes in their natural environment at this exclusive. The threatened red Columbus monkeys and the rare L’Hoest monkey are found in the park. At the same time the forest has one of the highest diversity and density of primates in Africa.
Activities here include chimp trek, chimp habituation, nature walks, bird and primate watch, Bigodi wetland walk; children activities, visit local communities and home stay tourism.
The 795km2 Kibale National Park contains one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. This is home to a host of forest wildlife, most famously 13 species of primate including chimpanzee. Forest cover predominates in the northern and central parts of the park on the elevated Fort Portal plateau. Kibale is highest at the park’s northern tip which stands 1590m above sea level. Northern Kibale is also the wettest area, receiving a mean annual rainfall of up to 1700mm, mostly during March-May and September-November. The climate is generally pleasant with a mean annual temperature range of 14-27oC. Temperatures are highest (and rainfall lower) in the south where the terrain drops down onto the hot rift valley floor and forest gives way to open grassland.
Southern Kibale adjoins Queen Elizabeth National Park and together these protected areas maintain a 180km-long migration corridor for wildlife which extends from Ishasha, the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth NP, to the Sebitoli forest in the north of Kibale. The Kibale-Fort Portal area is one of Uganda’s most rewarding areas to explore. The park lies close to the tranquil NdaliKasenda crater area and within a half day’s drive of the Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori Mountains and Semuliki National Park and the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve.
Fauna and Flora of Kibale National Park
Kibale’s varied altitude supports different types of habitat, ranging from wet tropical forest (moist evergreen forest) on the Fort Portal plateau, through dry tropical forest (moist semi deciduous), to woodland and savanna on the rift valley floor. Around Kanyanchu, in the central part of the park, the high forest contains a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees with the evergreen species dominant. Trees rise to over 55m and exhibit a semi-closed canopy of stratified tree crowns. The undergrowth is sparse with shade tolerant herbs, shrubs, a variety of ferns and broad leaved forest grasses. 351 tree species have been recorded in the park.
The diversity and density of primates in Kibale is the highest in Africa. The most famous of its 13 species is the chimpanzee, our closest relative. Kibale’s 1500 chimpanzee represent Uganda’s largest population of this endangered primate. Kibale is also home to the rare I’Hoest’s monkey and East Africa’s largest population of the threatened red colobus monkey. Other primates include the black and white colobus, blue monkey, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkey, olive baboon, bush baby and potto. Other mammals are present, though rarely seen. These include forest elephant, buffalo, leopard, bush pig and duiker. A keen observer may also spot reptiles and amphibians as well as a colourful variety of butterflies.
The park boasts 325 species of birds, including 6 that are endemic to the Albertine Rift region, namely black-capped apalis, blue-headed sunbird, collared apalis, dusky crimsonwing, purple-breasted sunbird and red-faced woodland warbler. Other Kibale specials include the African pitta, green breasted pitta, black bee-eater, yellow spotted nicator, yellow rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, black-eared ground thrush, brownchested alethe, blue-breasted kingfisher, Abyssinian groundthrush, and the crowned eagle.
Things to See in Kibale
Local Communities around Kibale Moist Forest
The people living around the park are mainly Batoro and Bakiga. The Batoro are indigenous to the area while the Bakiga are immigrants from the densely populated southwestern part of Uganda. The Batoro take pride in the cultural heritage of the Toro Kingdom, a scion of the ancient kingdoms of Africa’s Great Lakes region. The Omukama (king) and the kingdom embody the traditional and cultural values of the Batoro. The Bakiga immigrants still maintain their tradition and culture as expressed in their folklore, dance, and language. The park plays an important role in the lives of the local people who enjoy a variety of benefits from the forest. The forest provides them with many traditional forest products such as wild coffee, food, fuelwood, building materials and herbal medicines.
Things to Do in Kibale National Park
Kanyanchu River Camp and the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
Kanyanchu is the hub fortourism activities in the central part of the park. The main attraction is the opportunity to track chimpanzee in their rainforest home. A community of chimpanzee has been habituated since 1991 and the chances of locating the good indeed (over 90%). Note that the park is only acc foot; there are no motorable tracks open to tourists.
The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience allows accompany Kibale’s researchers and habituators as t chimpanzee during their daily activities, thereby ge1 used to human presence without altering their natural I You can expect to see t he chimps de-nesting (com their nocturnal nests) between 05.30-06.30, before them during the day until they create new nests and the night around 19.00. The Habituation Experience runs during tourist low season months (March, April, May and November
Primates walk (Chimpanzee tracking)
The most popular of Kibale’s walks starts from the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre at 08.00 and 15.00 and lasts 2-3 hours. Ch are the primate most sought after by visitors, but you sl look out for the black and white co lobus, red tailed m( grey cheeked mangabey. Your guides will point out pittas and other bird species and will explain the tradit of plant species within the forest. This walk is for six pE group. Advance booking is essential during peak sea:
Forest Hike
This seasonal 12km hike is restricted to the dry SE mid November-February and June-September. It eXI park’s diverse habitats including tropical rainforesl forest, swamp and grassland. You will have the chan a wide variety of birds a nd primates and perhaps al and bush buck. The walk begins at 08.00 from Kanyanc Centre and ends at the elephant wallow around 14 drinks and snacks. Pre-booking is recommended.
Children’s Activities
Children of 12 years and below who are not all owe, the chimps or go into the forest can instead enjoy ec forest walks of 1-2 hours duration followed by creative Parents can enjoy their forest walks in the knowledge that their children are occupied in a worthwhile activity with tarined ranger guides. The children visit the forest and learn about the ecosystem and its inhabiutants through short interesting walks, games and creative activities which inclkude pond dipping, cynotype, photography and batik making.
Sebitoli Forest
Sebitoli is located 12km from Fortportal town on the Kampala-Fortportal road. this part of the forest offers excellent bird and primate viewing in moist evergreen forest with a semi-closed canopy of stratified tree crowns.
Cultural Heritage and Nature Trail
Reffered to as the former Long Distance Walk, an adventurous visitor can follow a 2-6 days trail through the forest. the full walk starts or finishes at either Kanyanchu or Sebitoli. The route explores the forest during the day, emerging in the evening to sleep in community-run campsites near the villages of Kikoni, Nyaibanda and Nayakalongo. These provide the opportunity to meet the local people and gain insights into their Batoro and Bakiga cultures. Porters can be hired at the trailheads to carry equipment. Groups of up to 6 people can undertake the walk. However Pre-booking is essential for effective organization of the walk.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Bigodi wetalnd sanctuary is situated just outside the park in Magombe swamp. This is known for a wide range of wildlife that includes primates, such as chimapnzees, red colobus, black and white colobus monkey and other mammals such as siattunga, bushbuck, otter and mongoose. the wetland is also home to 138 bird species. These can be seen during guided walks from viewing paltforms and a boardwalk trail.
The sanctuary is a community-run initiative aimed at conserving the unique biodiversity and environmental values of the wetland.
Kihingani Wetland
Guided walks, similar to those at Magombe, are conducted in the Kihingani wetland, just outside the national park near Sebitoli.
How to Get There
Kibale National Park is located in western Uganda, 26km south-east of Fort Portal town. Kanyanchu River Camp, the primary centre for tourism activities, can be reached from Kampala either from the north, via Mubende and Fort Portal, or the south through Mbarara and Kamwenge. The northern approach is shorter and quicker, with a 300km tarmac road running to Fort Portal followed by 36km on murram to Kanyanchu. Sebitoli Forest Camp, a secondary tourism centre, is even easier to reach. This stands directly on the Kampala road, 16km before Fort Portal. Public transport runs throughout the day between Kampala and Fort Portal (passing Sebitoli) and Fort Portal and Kamwenge (passing Kanyanchu).
Where to Stay in Kibale
Kibale Primate Lodge provides a choice of accommodation at Kanyanchu including stone cottages, tree houses and n upmarket tented camp. Simple cottages are found at Sebitoli. Both sites provide campsites and canteens that provide basic meals to order.
Basic and mid range accommodation is available in the nearby villages of Bigodi and Nkingo while a wider choice is to be found in the Ndali Crater Area. This ranges from the upmarket Ndali Lodge to good budget options at Chimpanzee Guesthouse and Lake Nkuruba. Accommodation can also be found in Fort Portal town.