Things to do in Kibale National Park : Kibale Forest National Park is located in the Western part of Uganda in Kamwenge, where it covers 795 square kilometres. It is adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park at its northern end, and has a total area of 795 square kilometres. The southwest part of Kibale National Park is a mix of grassland and wetlands with a variety of plant life, while the north and southeast parts are a primarily tropical forest, with over 345 species of trees recorded.
This is the largest forested national park in Uganda and has over sixty species of mammals, as well as being known for having the world’s highest concentration of primate species, with over 13 species of primates, including chimpanzees, man’s closest relative.
As one of the five parks in Uganda where chimpanzee habituation projects are operating in addition to hosting the highest number of chimpanzees in the world, the park is regarded as having the highest number of chimpanzees in the world as well.
Among the other primate species in the park are black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, bush babies, and many mammals that are rarely encountered there, such as the leopard, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, bush pig, duiker, elephant, and reptiles, such as the bush buck, the duiker, and the giant forest squirrel, which are very common.
It is also a birders paradise in the park, as the area is home to over 400 different bird species, 4 of which are endemic to this park and many are also common to the area. To name a few, the park is home to the grey parrot, the African Crowned Eagle and the black bee-eater, Guinea Fowl and more than 45 different types of butterflies.
Activities to do in Kibale National Park
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
Among the main reasons for visiting the Kibale forest is the fact that it is home to the largest population of chimpanzees in all of Uganda, which is over 1450 individuals. Kibale national park is well known as one of the most important areas of Uganda in terms of chimpanzees. With chimpanzee tracking, you will travel through the deep dense forests of Kibale using demarcated trails in search of the chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee habituation
The purpose of this process is to make wild primates become accustomed to having humans around them and prepare them to be tracked later on in the future. It is possible to complete this process with Chimpanzees and it takes approximately three years.
There is a lot of similarity between chimpanzee habituation (CHEX) and the chimpanzee tracking safari, except that the trip is more expensive and the travellers get to spend more time with the primates, so it is considered to be one of the most popular primate trips.
Guided Nature walks
During these guided walks, one is able to experience the natural air present in Kibale and learn about the variety of flora and fauna that exist there. In these guided nature walks, you will learn about a variety of bird species, as well as different types of primates you will see. It is permitted for a maximum of 6 travellers to take part in these nature walks, which are scheduled for mornings, afternoons, and evenings.
Bird watching
Kibale forest is a prime birding spot; it is home to over 375 bird species, including six endemic species only found in the Albertine Rift area. It is an ideal spot for birdwatchers because of its diverse habitats and dense vegetation that provide a safe haven and plenty of food for the birds.
The best time to go birdwatching for the nocturnal species is early in the morning and late in the evening. Birds to spot include yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, brown crested Alethe, red-chested owlet, red-faced woodland warbler, black bee-eater, Nahan’s francolin, little greenbul, little green bul, brown illadopsis, black-eared ground thrush, little green bul, yellow spotted Nicator, African pitta, black-capped Apalis, purple-breasted sun bird, white naped pigeon, black bishop, African grey parrot and many more.
Cultural encounters
In addition to offering an insight into the lives of the local community, the community walk provides the opportunity to learn about their culture in terms of their ways of life, their traditions, their dress code, and many other things that contribute to the development of the local culture. You will also be able to participate in cultural dances, see the local arts and crafts, and perform cultural dances.
Visit to the Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru
It is believed that the Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru are natural features that are as a result of the formation of stalagmites and stalactites, but that the Batoro tribe have strong cultural attachments to these rocks. They believe that the breasts that were cut off by the King, when Nyina Mwiru refused to marry the spouse the King had chosen for her, are the breasts of the young girl who was named Nyina Mwiru.
