Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park is located in the districts of Kabarole and Kamwenge which is approximately 320 kilometers about 200 miles west of Uganda’s capital –Kampala. Fort Portal town is the nearest large city to the National park.
Kibale Forest National Park contains one of the beautiful and most diverse zones of tropical forest in Uganda. The park is home to about 70 mammal species, most famously 13 species of primate including the chimpanzee. It also contains over 375 species of birds.
Kibale Forest National Park adjoins Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south to create a 180km-long corridor for wildlife between Ishasha, the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Sebitoli in the north of Kibale Forest National Park. The following primates can be found in Kibale forest national park; chimpanzees which are our closest relatives, colobus and the rare I’Hoest’s monkey, olive baboon, bush baby, the threatened red, black-and-white colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, and potto monkeys. The park occupies about 766 km2 in size and is one of the remaining expanses to contain both lowland and montane forests. Chimpanzees are the stars at Kibale and hundreds of them are found here including gangs of monkeys.
How to access the Kibale Forest National Park
The park lies 26 km south –east of Fort Portal town and can be reached from Kampala either from the North, via Mubende and Fort Portal. The park can also be reached via Mbarara and Kamwenge road with a 300 km tarmac road running to Fort Portal than a murram to Kanyanchu.
Attractions in the Kibale Forest National Park
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking is a very interesting experience and the activity is a life experience. During the tour, you will come across chimps in their nests. Chimp tracking can be done all year around however the low season is March, April, May, and November. Chimpanzees just like humans share over 98 percent of their DNA. The activity allows you to spend some time with human relatives observing them swing from one tree to another. Chimps’ life expectance is about 40 years whereas those living in captivity can extend up to 60 years. To track chimpanzees you are greatly advised to book in advance. You are advised to carry with you wear shoes with good grip, suitable for climbing steep moist muddy slopes. Carry along with your rain gear and binoculars.
Forest Hike
Forest hikes in Kibale forest National Park are usually done during dry seasons during the months mid-November – February, June, and September. During this forest hike, you will get the opportunity to see different species of birds and primates in the forest. The forest walk begins at about 8.00 from Kanyanchu center and ends at the elephant wallow.
Bigodi Wetland
The swamp is situated just outside the park in Magombe swamp. The swamp is well known for a wide range of wildlife including chimpanzees, red colobus, black and white colobus monkey,sitatunga, bush buck, otter and mongoose offering opportunity for primate watching..The wetland is also a home of about 138 bird species guaranteeing to bide watchers an opportunity to see a number of birds.
Cultural Heritage and Nature Trail
The cultural heritage is adventurous and visitors can follow a 2-6 days trail through the forest. The full walk starts of finishes at either Kanyanchu or Sebitoli.
Sebitoli Forest
The forest is located about 12 km from Kabarole’s main town, Fort Portal, the forest offers outstanding opportunities for bird and primate viewing in the moist evergreen forest with a semi-closed canopy.
Accommodation in the Kibale Forest National Park
Primate Lodge Kibale
The lodge is an exclusive eco-lodge situated in the heart of Kibale Forest National park and is surrounded by a luxurious tropical forest that is home to 13 different species of primates the most outstanding being the chimpanzees. The primate lodge features a has eight safari tents, seven comfortable forests, cottages, and an adventurous tree house. All the rooms are located in the forest.
The lodge has eight luxury safari tents that are raised on a wooden platform and are covered by a grass-thatched roof that blends with the environment. Each lodge has a private veranda with a superb view of the surrounding forest. The interior is decorated with an African style and comfortable queen-sized beds which are brightly colored. There are also forest cottages which are seven and the rooms are well equipped with large twin beds and a sitting area, nicely decorated with traditional African art. The tree house is also exciting and comprises a simple bedroom and basic washing facilities. The camping is also available more especially to clients who wish to bring tents.
Facilities at the lodge
The primate lodge has a restaurant serving both international and traditional dishes, a well-stocked bar which is situated adjacent to the restaurant and where fresh coffee can be served, and the lounge area which is furnished with comfortable large chairs.
Nyinabulitwa Country Resort
It’s located about 20 km off Fort Portal in the western part of Uganda.
Facilities and services at the resort
– The resort has got well-designed self-contained cottages that put up both double and single beds with high-quality services.
– The resort has got a restaurant serving both international and local cuisines
– There is a lake which offers swimming services, fishing, canoeing and Kayaking
– There is also mountain biking and hiking.
– There is a craft shop with African items which is managed by the community women group.
Kibale forest camp
The camp is located off Fort portal-Kamwenge after passing Bigodi, you will meet a sign post that will take you to the dirt road heading to the camp
Facilities
The camp has 7 safari tents with double beds and an en-suite bathroom. The toilets are Eco-friendly toilets. The verandah will give you a very superb view of the colobus monkeys in the forest.
Chimps Nest
The lodge is located 15 minutes drive from Kanyanchu which is a focal point of UWA for chimp tracking.
Facilities
– The park has well-contained cottages and a tree house which offer a perfect view of wildlife such as birds, chimps, elephants, and monkeys.
– There is a restaurant which serves both international and local foods with very hospitable waitresses.
– All cottages have
Activities at the Chimp Nest
Natural trail
Forest walk,
Chimp tracking,
Cultural heritage,
Bigodi Village walk along with the discovery of the Crater Lakes
At Bigodi region
Kibale Safari Lodge is located on a hillside overlooking the forests of Kibale National Park and the mountain of the moon (Rwenzori Mountains). The lodge is designed in the way that it blends with the surrounding natural environment and when you are on the verandah, you can watch wild animals.
Facilities at the lodge
– The lodge has a restaurant serving both local and international dishes
– There is a gift shop at the lodge providing opportunities to visitors who wish to shop facilities at the lodge.
– There are also laundry services in the park
– Chimp tracking
– Guided forest walks including nocturnal walks
– Bird walks which include visits to the Bigodi wetland Sanctuary
– There is also Bigodi women’s Swamp or village.