KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Kibale Forest National Park is one of the recently created Parks having been a Forest Reserve. This park covers 795 square kilometres and is adjacent to the northern end of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The terrain of this part of western Uganda is covered by tea estates, terraced hills, forests and one of the highest concentrations of volcanic crater lakes in the world. The forest is an important water catchment area, protecting river waters that feed the Lake George Basin to the south.
Kibale Forest National Park encompasses the largest hardwood forest in sub-Saharan Africa. It has extremely old and high trees, some as high as 55 metres. The north and southeast parts of the park are mainly 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. Diverse botanical resources include various plant species from important medicinal plants to ancestral varieties of commercial crops like banana and coffee. A walk can be arranged to see wild coffee in its original state, before cultivation.
As one of the largest forested national parks in Uganda, the Park is alive with strange noises as it is home to at least 60 different mammal species including the highest concentration of primates in the world - it has 13 primate species. Of the largest forests in Uganda inhabited by chimpanzees, Kibale has the highest number of chimpanzees and is one of the five parks that currently have chimpanzee habituation projects operating. It has been recorded that the chimpanzee community in the Park is comprised of over 1,400 individuals, which is the largest chimpanzee population in the world.
With assistance of the Jane Goodall Institute, UWA began habituation projects in Kibale about ten years ago. Guided forest walks are available daily and visitors may be able to participate in the habituation of chimpanzees during overnight and de-nesting (when they wake up for the day) activities or as part of a week-long chimp habituation experience.
Chimp tracking is entertaining because you get the opportunity to observe the human-like behaviors of these animals- our closest relatives that share 98.7% of human genetic make-up. Chimpanzee tracking requires less walking than gorilla tracking but equally enjoyable as you watch them socialize on the ground or in fruiting trees.
Kibale Forest's gentle terrain with rolling hills and paths cut through the forest at regular intervals that makes walking through the forest relatively easy. 4 groups of 8 people each are allowed to go chimpanzee tracking each morning and afternoon. Chimpanzees are more active than gorillas and have larger families of 30 and above members. Like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee sightings run at more than 90%. Permits cost $90 per person per day, and it is recommended that you book some time in advance.
Apart from chimpanzees there are 12 other primate species, including red Colobus monkeys, black-and-white Colobus monkeys, L’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. These shy, smaller and more hairy than their savannah counterparts, creatures live deep in the forest along with buffaloes and giant forest hogs and are therefore rarely seen but they leave enough traces behind to make their presence known. More commonly seen mammals include bushbucks, duikers and giant forest squirrels.
The birdlife is abundant with approximately 400 different species recorded in the area, four of which are endemic to this park. Some of the species most highly sought include the crested guinea fowl, great blue turaco, grey parrot, green-breasted and African pitas, African crowned eagles and black bee-eaters. Butterflies are also in abundance with some 45 species recorded.
Bird-watching and swamp walk activities are available daily within the park and at the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary just outside the park. The sanctuary is operated by the local community and demonstrates the positive effects that can be achieved by community tourism projects. Approximately 20 families benefit directly from tourism activities in this area. This project is part of the Uganda Community Tourism Association- UCOTA
If you are interested in expanding your knowledge of local Ugandan culture, visits can be arranged to the local community. Locally produced art and craft items can be purchased from the park tourist office at Kanyanchu. You may also want to enjoy a sumptuous local lunch with the KAFRED community in Bigodi, a great way to meet and support the local people.
The Park is situated 35 kilometers east of Fort Portal town in western Uganda. It is approximately 360 Kilometres from Kampala and can be driven in 5hrs.
Places to stay include; Ndali safari lodge- luxurous, Rwenzori view- mid range/ budget, Primates Lodge- luxurious/ mid range/ budget.