Kibale Forest National Park
13 Primates
Located just 20 km east of Fort Portal town in western Uganda, Kibale Forest National Park is home to a variety of primates and families of habituated chimpanzees, providing one of the highest primate densities in the world. Here on a daytime or evening guided forest walk, you may find chimps and red colobus monkeys chattering and swinging through the ancient forest trees.
Background
Also adjacent to the northern end of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the park covers some 795 sq. km and is the third largest forested national park in Uganda, supporting at least 60 different mammal species. Kibale Forest National Park is home to the largest hardwood forest in sub-Saharan Africa. The north and southeast parts of the park are primarily tropical forest with more than 350 tree species recorded (28% of the country’s total), while the southwest section of the park is a mix of grassland and wetland with interesting fern and other plant life.
This part of western Uganda and its varied biophysical environment is made up of tea estates, terraced hills, forests and one of the highest concentrations of volcanic crater lakes in the world. It is an important water catchment area, protecting river waters that feed the Lake George Basin.
Diverse botanical resources include a number of plant species among which are important medicinal plants as well as ancestral varieties of commercial crops like banana and coffee.
Attractions Overview
Of the twenty or so forests in Africa inhabited by chimpanzees, ten of these are in Uganda and Kibale Forest National Park is one of the five parks that currently have chimpanzee habituation projects operating.
The Jane Goodall Foundation began habituation projects in Kibale about ten years ago. Today guided forest walks are available daily and visitors may be able to participate in the habituation of chimpanzees during overnight de-nesting activities or as part of a week-long chimp habituation experience.
As well as chimpanzees there are 12 other primate species, including red and black-and-white colobus monkeys, I’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet and blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons, and four species of nocturnal primates (pottos and bush babies).
Kibale Forest National Park is also home to the largest concentration of forest elephants
in Uganda, although they live deep in the forest along with buffaloes and giant forest hogs
and are seldom seen. More commonly encountered mammals include bushbucks, duikers and montane sun squirrels and giant forest squirrels.
The birdlife is prolific, with approximately 400 different species recorded in the area, four of which are endemic to this park. Highlights include the crested guinea fowl, great blue turraco, grey parrot, green-breasted and African pitas, African crowned eagles and black bee-eaters. Butterflies are also in abundance with some 45 species recorded.
Activities Overview
Chimp tracking is particularly popular with tourists perhaps to observe the human-like behaviors of our close cousins who share 98% of human genetic material. Chimpanzee tracking is also much less strenuous than the other Ugandan attraction of gorilla trekking.
The Kibale Forest is gentle terrain with rolling hills and paths cut through the forest at regular intervals making movement through the forest relatively easy. Chimpanzee tracking is available daily with 4 groups of 8 people each allowed each morning and afternoon. Chimpanzees are more active than gorillas and have larger families (30+ members). As with gorilla trekking, chimpanzee sightings run at more than 90%. Permits are approximately $70 per day and advance bookings of 4-12 months are recommended.
Accommodation
Kibale Forest National Park offers a range of accommodation options to suit every traveler's needs and preferences. From luxurious lodges to budget-friendly campsites, visitors can choose from a variety of comfortable and convenient places to stay while exploring the park.
Wildlife
Located in western Uganda, Kibale Forest National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The park is renowned for its population of chimpanzees, offering visitors the opportunity to trek through the lush forest and observe these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. In addition to chimpanzees, Kibale is home to a wide array of other wildlife species, including red colobus monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, and over 300 species of birds.
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Source of the Nile
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Must-do Activities
White Water Rafting
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