Things to do In Kibale forest National park

Things to do In Kibale forest National park  : Kibale national park is one of the best protected areas to visit during your safari in Uganda . The park is located in Western Uganda near Fort portal town in Kabarole and Kamwenge districts . It covers a total area of 766 square kilometers which is comprised of tropical rainforest . The national park is known as the primate capital because it’s a home to 13 primate species including chimpanzees , grey cheeked mangabey , red tailed monkeys , baboons , black and white colobus monkeys , blue monkeys , vervet monkeys , l’hoest monkeys , bush babies , pottos . Kibale national park also harbors animals like warthogs , buffalos , bush pigs , forest elephants , bush bucks , duikers , sitatungas , leopards different bird species like blue breasted kingfisher , blue headed sunbird , crowded eagle , brown chested alethe etc .

Things To Do In Kibale National Park

Chimpanzee habituation

Chimpanzee habituation experience is an activity in kibale national park where  chimpanzees are trained to get used to human presence for trekking . It is in the park and starts as early as 6:00am with a briefing about rules , regulations and expectations at the park headquarters after that you join a team of researchers , trackers , park guides and you will now enter the forest in search of the chimpanzees under the habituation process .

After the chimpanzees are found you will be able to spend four hours with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn how to identity them by their markings , scars , personalities . You will watch chimpanzees leaving their nests , feeding , breastfeeding , hunting , mating , resting , playing and making  their nests for the night which gives you fascinating and a rememberable experience on your safari in the park .

Chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee trekking is one of the known activities to do while in kibale national park where visitors get an opportunity to move deep into the forest in search of the chimpanzees. It starts early in the morning with a briefing at the headquarters about the rules and regulations to be foolowed while trekking . You are then allocated a park guide who is well conversant with trails in the forest and a habituated chimpanzee family to trek . Trekking of chimpanzees in kibale national park starts at around 8:00am and takes 30 mins to 4 hours depending on where chimpanzees are because they like to move deep into the forest in search of food especially during dry seasons . You will be able to also see other primates like grey cheeked mangabey , red tailed monkeys , black and white colobus monkeys baboons and also view different bird species . When the chimpanzees are found you will be allowed to spend time and be able to learn about their behaviors , habits , watch them carry out their daily activities like breastfeeding , feeding , playing , resting , take pictures and record videos while on your safari .

Bird Watching

Kibale national park is a home of about 375 and more bird species including forest birds and endemic birds which have not been seen in other national parks in Uganda .

Bird watching in kibale national park is best done early in the morning or late in the evening with an experienced bird guide who will help you spot different bird species such as great blue turaco , black billed turaco , yellow spotted barbet , purple headed starling , black bee eater , white bellied crested flycatcher , tiny sunbird , white naped pigeon , black bishop , cassin’s spine tail , red winged francolin and a lot more .

Nature walks

Nature walk is an adventurous activity to do in kibale national park which begins with a briefing . After the briefing you will start hiking in the forest with the company of a well trailed park guide passing through grasslands , swampland where you will be able to see various wildlife species such as forest elephants , duikers , bushbucks , primates like black and white colobus monkeys , blue monkeys , red tailed monkeys , view different bird species, plants and tree species , listen to sounds of birds singing , enjoy a cool breeze and a lot more .

Nocturnal forest walks

 Nocturnal forest walks is an interesting activity in the park where you will be able to explore the park at night with the company of a well trained ranger guide and spotlight torches for clear viewing of the nocturnal primates . During the guided nocturnal forest walk which starts at around 7:00pm you will get a chance to view nocturnal animals like bush baby , pottos , galagos , tree hyrax , cricket , nightjar among others .

Bush craft children activities

Kibale national park is one of the few parks that offer bush craft activities for chidren below the age of 13 years since they are not allowed to participate in chimpanzee trekking . Children will be given a friendly park guide , professional drivers and trained rangers who will take the children around the forest , teach them about survival skills in the forest , learn about different plants , spot some primates like monkeys , birds , engage in forest games like  batik making , visit the communities around the park .

Crater lakes Tour

This involves a walk to the top of the hill called Nyamirima where you will see 5 beautiful crater lakes surrounding kibale forest national park , you will have a chance for sightseeing , taking pictures as well as meeting up with the local community who will share with you their day to day lifestyle . You can as well access some of the lakes for canoeing .

Bigodi Wetland walk and cultural encounter

Bigodi wetland walk takes place at Bigodi wetland sanctuary located in Magombe swamp , the swamp is a wide array of attractions which prime attractions being primates and birds , primate species like red colobus monkeys , red tailed monkeys , baboons , black & white colobus etc . Additional mammals such as chimpanzees , sitatunga , mongooses , bush pigs , otters plus bush bucks . Bird species like green breasted pitta , red chested owlet , scally breasted forest robin , buff spotted and a lot more .

You will also have a chance to visit the local communities where you will get to see their local dances ,  local way of life , local drinks and food among others . The walk gives you an forgettable experience .