Driving to Kibale Forest National Park begins from the Entebbe International Airport as soon as you land in the pearl of Africa or from Kampala when you decide to stay a night or choose to be picked here, Kibale Forest National Park is known for its many primate species and the most sought of destination for Chimpanzee tracking. It is located in the western part of the country in Kabarole district, the forest has grown over time and one of the few remaining Afro-montane forest in Uganda hosting 13primate kinds, and over 350 species of birds.
Driving to Kibale forest national park is easy and accessible through the well-maintained road network to the national park. There are different access routes in western Uganda all of which lead to the Capital of primates, from Kampala drives ass through the Kampala-Mubende-fort portal-Kibale road, once you arrive in Fort Portal it is only 30-40 minutes’ drive to the Kibale forest national park. It takes approximately 6 hours’ drive depending on the route that you take.
Driving to Kibale Forest National Park can be from Lyantonde district, via Mbarara and Ibanda in western Uganda this is a longer route that passes through other conservation areas from Kasese you can see the Queen Elizabeth National Park home to the tree-climbing lions, the park inter-connects with the Kibale forest from the southern sector of Ishasha, it takes 6-7 hours’ drive to arrive at the destination.
Another way of getting to the national park is by flying to the destination Flights can be arranged through local domestic flight handlers from Entebbe or Kampala Kajjansi to land at the Kasese airstrip of the Semliki airstrip, it is from here that you will be transferred to the respective accommodation facilities that have been booked. Rates are usually discussed with your tour operator or booked directly from the airline. These flights interconnect in parks as well flying to the Kisoro airstrip in Kisoro or Kihihi on the Buhoma side of Bwindi, then to the Kidepo airstrip in the far end of northernUganda.
Things to do while in the national park include chimpanzee tracking this is done beginning from the park headquarters in Kanyanchu, it is a great way of experiencing the forest, the hike to the primates is a phenomenal experience, coming face to face with the man closest relatives is superb it takes 2-3 hours to find them, an hour is allowed while with the primates after which return. It is a great destination to go birding while in Uganda, common species to sighted include Rwenzori turaco, sunbirds, and collared Apalis among others. The Bigodi swamp walk is about 6 kilometers outside the national park, it is possible to see primates hanging out here as those inside the park, they reach out for eats and fruits the walk is complimented by the Kanyanchu primate walk.
Kibale Forest National Park can be visited all year round, but best during the dry season between December-Febuary and June-July, Driving to Kibale Forest National Park is done using safari cars, drones, and land cruisers, these can be offered on self-drive or with an experienced driver /guide.