Kibale Forest National Park is the heart of Uganda’s primates also known as the “Capital of Primates'” when it comes to primate safaris in the country the most sought is the Chimpanzee in the Kibale Forest National Park, there are main residents about1, 500 individuals present within the conservation area, the forest is among the few last remaining parts of tropical rain and parts of montane forest, occupying the largest area space of Kabarole District, over 13 primates species can be found here including Large numbers of the endangered red endangered colobus monkey. Kibale Forest National Park was gazette in 1993 covering an area space of approximately 795 square kilometers elevated between 1100m-1500m above sea level at the fort portal plateau.
Kibale Forest National Park consists of lush green forest, grasses, tree climbing plants, lianas, streams running underneath the surface of the park, and Marshy swampy areas these are habitats for the wildlife of the park, for example, black and white colobus monkeys, white-cheeked monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, pottos, bush babies, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, chimpanzee, forest elephants, antelopes, giant forest hogs, and over 300 species of birds most of which are endemics of the Albertine and forest birds, example species here include the great blue Turaco, Swamp flycatcher, African pita, green breasted pigeon, tinker bird, sunbirds among other species.
The famous activity of the conservation area is chimpanzee tracking, which takes place beginning from the Kanyanchu visitor center. The activity was first introduced over 30 years ago in 1993, it is done in sessions in the mornings from 8;00 a.m. and afternoon times from 2:30 pm east African time, tracking is done following a briefing from Uganda wildlife authority ranger a group of 6 people is allowed in per chimp family, they are characterized by their social behavior, intelligence, and the ability to use tools. Chimpanzee habituation is all-day engagement with the chimpanzee led by a group of researchers, this process is done to have the primates used to being in the presence of humans. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is in charge of tracking permits which can be acquired from your ground handler.
The forest is a rewarding destination to go birding while in Uganda, the walk through the Crater Lakes region and trails in Kibale is by far one of the most angelic things one can do, expect to see birds like green breasted pitta, black bee-eater, Nahanas francolin, great blue turaco, African pied wagtail, blue-headed sunbird, crowned eagle, red chested owlet, Ruwenzori Apalis, white-winged pigeon, brown chested Alethe, African grey parrots to mention a few.
Bigodi Swamp Walk is a wetland sanctuary around the surrounding villages of the national park, there are many primates, and it is most visited together with a chimpanzee tracking experience, expect to see more primates like the black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, there are so many butterflies that can be seen here as well. Kibale Forest National Park is surrounded by local tribes including Bakojo, Bakiga, and the Batoro, these live within the surrounding communities and visitors have the chance to pay a visit to the local communities and indulge in their way of life.
Kibale Forest National Park can be accessed from Kampala by road, it takes approximately 6 hours to drive to the destination passing via Fort Portal Town, and flights can be arranged to the conservation area to land at the Kasese or Semliki airstrip, it is from here that you will be transferred to respective accommodation facilities like the Ndali lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Primate Lodge, Isunga Lodge.
The park can be visited all year round but is best during the dry season between the months of December to February and June -to September, the wet season is also recommendable to visit as the park is beautiful in its own way, it is a perfect timing to go birding.