Kibale national park is a remarkable destination best known for its chimpanzees.
The park is located in the western part of the magical pearl of Africa. The existence of the protected tropical rain forest has made kibale an amazing home for this primate creature. It is located in Kabarole district and neighbor's other districts like Kamwenge, Kasese and Kyenjojo.
It covers a travel distance of 348km with a 5 hours' drive while from Kampala the capital city of Uganda. Kibale national park covers an area of 766 sq.km which is characterized by the lush vegetation and numerous landscapes including the magnificent rift valley.
In the year 1932 kibale was made a game reserve and in 1933 it was made a national park to protect its rich ecosystem.
Kibale national park is not found at a distant location like some of Uganda's national park. This preeminent national park is easily accessed by road on a 4WD vehicle covering a travel distance of 348km within 5 hours for the shorter route of Kampala – fort portal highway and the longer route of Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara – Kamwenge route.
Air transport involves use of a chartered flight from Aero link which starts at either Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kasese airstrip or Nyakisharara airstrip. There are no direct flights into kibale national park but rather use a domestic vehicle to take you at the reserve lodge.
Kibale national park has never been a disappointment but the best rewarding destination to primate lovers and those much interested in chimpanzee tracking.
Chimpanzees are the park's major highlight and are believed to possess 98.8 human DNA. They are renamed man's closest cousin because of the high percentage rate in DNA. These creatures have a long life span for those in captivity and those in the wild live for 40 years.
They possess longer arms compared to the height of their legs since they use both legs and arms during movement. They have a close appearance to a unique primate species called bonobos.
Chimpanzees can be observed during chimpanzee tracking session after acquiring a permit to allow you access the jungle.
Wildlife species also inhabit in the tropical rainforest of Kibale rewarding tourist with wildlife experience. These creatures are spotted during chimpanzee tracking session and those usually spotted include rare sitatunga, antelopes, forest hogs, buffaloes, warthogs, red and blue duikers, bush pigs, bush bucks and elephants which are rarely seen.
This very park homes a variety of primates that are encountered swinging on tree branches while others make sounds from a distance and these include; blue monkeys, vervet monkey, L'hoest monkey, colobus monkey, chimpanzees and olive baboons.
Visitors can also tour the crater lakes in fort portal neighboring kibale national park. They offer spectacular views that are mind calming. These craters host visitors who are spending some good time in fort portal town.
Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru has an amazing cultural story behind its existence. There was a king called Bukuku who wanted his daughter to marry a man he has chosen for her but the daughter had someone else she loved turning down the fathers decision.
The king felt embarrassed in front of his subordinates and ordered the cutting off of her daughter's breast as a sign of punishment. The cave later started dripping milk and was given a name Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru.
They are found in fort portal 11km away from Kabarole near Nyakasura School. It is astonishing crossing under the falls to access the caves.
Bigodi wetland sanctuary is a water logged area located in the Magobe swamp outside kibale national park. It is about 6km from the information center of Kanyanchu at the southern part of the park.
The wetland greatly supports the Eco-tourism and is a conservation site for many wetland creatures. A variety of bird species and diverse wildlife are sighted at this destination.
This is the major activity carried out in Kibale national park. It involves a great search of habituated chimpanzee under the guidance of the park ranger guide. The activity starts with the dos and don'ts of chimp tracking session at Kanyanchu information center.
In a group less than 8 members you get to start the tracking. Upon encounter you will have a 1 hour interaction to gather enough information about chimpanzees.
Kibale ranks as the best chimp destination however their other destinations in Uganda like kyambura gorge, Ngamba Island and those outside such as Nyungwe in Rwanda and Gombe national park in Tanzania where chimpanzees are tracked.
Chimpanzee habituation is the act of following these chimpanzee groups to get them used to human presence. It is a full day activity and involves researchers, ranger guides and visitors with chimpanzee habituation permits.
These creatures have away they adapt to the environment and it's this information the researchers and tourists are best interested in. The activity starts at Kanyanchu very early in the morning at 6:00 am under the guidance of researchers, ranger trackers and guides.
Remember to carry with you packed lunch to take you through and energize while in the jungle. After habituation trackers are rewarded with habituation certificates.
Meet and great with the local people in the Kibale community is fun. The locals are more than welcome to see you entangle and eager to learn their cultural norms at a cost.
In Kibale national park visitors get to blend with the Bakiga and Batooro as well get learn about their lifestyle, traditional norms and get to taste their local cuisines. It's interesting to visit the community farms and vanilla plantations for some ideas on farming.
This activity involves sighting different bird species by birders in their natural surroundings. Along the natural forest trails, crater lakes and different landscapes you get to over 370 recorded bird species. The best time is during morning hours and on a nature walk.
Birds spotted include; papyrus Gonolek, breasted pitta, African pied wagtail, Africa grey parrot, tropical boubou, pin tailed whydah among others.
Other activities that visitors can engage in while on a safari to kibale National Park include; nocturnal forest walk and hiking.