Kibale Forest National Park – Affordable Chimpanzee tracking experience
Kibale Forest National Park is a home to the undisputed jewel of primates and wild life diversity nestled in the western part of Uganda this park was gazette in 1932 later in 1993 it was upgraded to national park status and extended southward to form a contagious block with the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park covers an area of almost 766 square kilometers (296) miles squared and ranges between 1,100 meters (3600 feet) and 1600 meters (5200 feet) in elevation.
The Ecological System of Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park supports the highest diversity and concentration of primate species in Africa there are almost twelve species of primates in the park including chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, rare L’Hoest’s monkeys, Uganda mangabeys, olive baboons among others.
These species are often seen by tourists during the forest walk from Kanyanchu as well as seen along the main road to the park.
The other terrestrial mammal species that are found with in this destination include bushbucks, sitatungas, bushpigs, giant forest hog, red and blue duiker, civets, buffaloes, common warthogs, elephants to mention but a few.
Additionally, Kibale Forest National Park consist of almost 325 bird species a number of which are endemic hence an perfect spot for bird watching experience the commonly seen ones include shoebill, Klass cuckoo African piculet, bates, nightjar, black dwarfs, black -collared lovebirds, cuckoo, napped pigeon, eagles’ chestnut, little greenbul, brown chested alethe, wahlbergs eagles, grey crowned crane, African grey parrot, hairy breasted barbet, barn swallow, blue checked bee eater, western tinkle birds among others.
Last but no least this place is a home to more than 150 butterfly’s species, with large number of moths and other insects as well as gifted with dominant tree species namely parinaric, piptadeniastrum cynometra (iron wood) with lush vegetation species hence a good spot for nature enthuastic.
Activities offered at Kibale Forest National Park
Chimpanzee Tracking
The highlight of any visit to Kibale National Park is chimpanzee tracking, this excursion starts from the Kanyanchu Visitors Centre at 8:00 in the morning and 14: 00 in the afternoon daily. The activity lasts for almost 2-3 hours.
Chimpanzee tracking begins with briefing session then visitors are divided in to groups and each led by the park guide and armed ranger later hit the forest to search for these primates.
Upon locating the chimpanzee community, you will enjoy absolute one hour face to face with these chimpanzees sighting at them breast feeding feeding on bamboo trees, playing, grooming each other hence having a once life time experience in the wilderness.
Note for guests who want to spend more time with chimpanzees can opt for chimpanzee habituation experience that lasts for a full day.
Bird Watching Experience
Engaging into bird watching activity at this park it is really unavoidable because of the presence of many bird species that inhabit this destination during this experience expect to sight at many of them the notably seen ones include namely black -collared lovebirds, cuckoo, yellow throated thinker bird, napped pigeon, Congo spente, eagles’ chestnut, little greenbul, brown chested alethe, western tinkle birds and many more.
The activity is more enjoyable when conducted with the guidance of well skilled birding guide who has much knowledge about the activity, during this activity tourists are advised to carry their pair of binoculars camera, enough drinking water, snacks among others for proper preparation.
Guided Nature Walks
The nature walk takes you through different trail heads expect to walk to the ends of Bunyuruguru Crater Lake Field a chain of numerous lakes you can as well engage in to boating and swimming at these stunning lakes since its water is safe. Legend has it that the chain of these lakes was created by Ndahura the first Bachwezi king when he retired to the area after abdicating in favour of his son Wamala.
This activity likewise grants chance to guests to sight at the green flourishing vegetation species of the park, spotting primate and bird species. Nature walks last for almost two to three hours often there is day and night nature walks conducted with the aid of experienced tour guide and armed ranger for protection against any harm in the wilderness.
Bigodi Swamp Walk
Tourists at Kibale National Park are granted with the opportunity to visit Bigodi Swamp this is such an ideal spot for the finest bird watching experience and primate viewing in Uganda, during the walk luckily enough, one can spot more than 40 bird species hence a rewarding experience.
A visit to Bigodi Community
Also, tourists at Bigodi are given time to visit the local people engage into interaction hence enabling them to learn and know how these people spend their day-to-day life style.
You are to also pay a visit to the medicine man who teaches how to treat different diseases using local herbs, visit banana man who makes different products out of banana then coffee queen hence creating everlasting memories.
The Best Time to Visit Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park can be visited all year round however the best time is during the dry season that typically happen in the months June, July August and from December, January, February during this period the weather is more favorable for outdoor activities, with less rainfall making the forest trails easier to navigate through and the wildlife is more visible. Bird watching is particularly rewarding in these months as many bird species are more active and easier to spot.
However you can as well visit this destination during the rainy season that typically happen in the months of Mach, May and November during this period the cost of chimpanzee permits plus some hotels are at discount also remember rainfall is received in plenty you are advised to make use of four-wheel drive vehicles because some roads are muddy and slippery.
Accommodation Facilities at Kibale Forest National Park
When it comes to having cozy overnight stays this park offers wide variety of facilities to guests that ranges from upmarket to budget level below are some of them.
Upmarket Lodges
Primate Lodge
The best thing about this accommodation facility is its location when it’s time for chimpanzee tracking, it is just couple of minutes from your bed to the trail head the lodge is nestled deep within this stunning forest.
Primate Lodge comprises of almost nine nice looking cottages each fitted with spacious beddings, comfortable sitting area with arm chairs reading table and sprawling veranda the setting rewards guests with clear views of the forest.
Tourists are offered with better amenities facilities and numerous activities can be arranged from this place hence a perfect choice for those seeking a romantic escape in the wilderness.
Turaco treetops
This newly established nice-looking lodge at Kibale National Park is just 15 minutes’ drive from Kanyanchu Trailhead has luxury cottages oriented towards a wall of luxuriant rain forest strata. The lodge gives better views of the surrounding area, offers better amenities like free internet connections, security, parking yard, laundry service, hot shower, hospitable workers, swimming pool, enclosed play television room and an improved restaurant that serves most cuisines of food to guests overnight stay at this place is unavoidable.
Mid-range Facilities
Kibale Forest Camp Site
This accommodation facility has seventeen long serving tents set in a pretty forest patch 2kilometers south of Bigodi, and now managed by the nature lodges who spruced up the rooms and slashed the prices to make it affordable for everyone. It has bar, shower, swimming pool on site restaurant that serves quality meals to tourists.
Chimps Nest Lodge
This mid-range accommodation facility is situated almost 15 minutes’ drive to the Kanyanchu Visitors Centre also close to Bigodi wetland Sanctuary hence an ideal lodge for guests interested in chimpanzee tracking activity as well as those visiting the sanctuary.
Chimps Nest Lodge is located on the borders of Kibale National Park offering spectacular views of Kibale Forest and the snow capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. it owns well established cottages set with in the pristine forest also better amenities are offered at this place their services are enjoyed at relatively affordable prices that doesn’t require one to break the bank.
Budget Facilities
Safari Hotel
This hotel comprises of nice-looking guest rooms it lies about 3kilometers past Kanyanchu on the road to Bigodi it has restaurant that offers delicious meals including fruit salad, clean toilet, warm basin showers in the rooms all their beds have a mosquito nets came for a comfortable stay at this place.
Tinkas Homestay
Tinka home stay is located next to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary this facility provides guests with rooms and traditional organic meals visitors get the chance to sample food in a traditional setting for example, sitting barefoot on floor mats and eating food that includes posho, potatoes, beans peanuts greens banana among others. Tinka home stay is a perfect balance between comfort and traditional life
In conclusion always during your safari to the pearl of Africa make it a point and visit Uganda’s premier chimpanzee tracking destination for the ultimate experience in the wilderness contact us today and begin your adventure in style.