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Home » National Parks in Uganda » Kibale Forest National Park Uganda

Kibale Forest National Park Uganda

Kibale National Park, also called “the primate planet” is located in the districts of Kabarole and Kamwenge in western Uganda. The park is situated between 1,100–1,600 meters above sea level covering an area of 766 square kilometers.

Situated approximately 30km southeast of Fort Portal town and 330km west of Kampala Uganda’s Capital City, the park can be found at the coordinates of 00 30N, 30 24E (Latitude: 0.5000; Longitude: 30.4000).

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Tourist Attractions in Kibale Forest National Park Uganda

primates-kibale-ational-parkPrimate Species, Kibale National Park is deserves the tagline “primate planet” a major reason why tourists should direct their safaris to this life-filled destination. The park has thirteen (13) species of primates including the vervet monkeys, the black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkey, grey cheeked Mangabey, the threatened red colobus monkey, blue monkeys, the red tailed monkeys, and the olive baboons. Adding to these, tourists can also see a number of night-time primates like the bush babies and the pottos. Kibale has an insurmountable 1,450 chimpanzees which if combined with the other primates make Kibale one of Africa’s most populated and diverse primate destination.

wildlife-at-kibale-npOther wildlife species, The park is known more for its primate population, a reason it has gained itself the tagline “primate planet”, but it is not limited to primates alone. There are a number of ground dwelling mammal species in Kibale National Park including some which migrate between Kibale and Queen Elizabeth and others which have a permanent home in Kibale. The park has a number of hippopotamuses, an estimated 500 forest elephants, the marsh mongooses, Alexander’s Cusimanse, the Golden Cat, bush pigs, African Palm Civet, leopards, lions, Ichneumon, Harvey’s and Peter’s duikers, buffalos, Serval cat, Ratel (Honey Badger), the giant hog and a number of bush pigs. Other mammals can be seen in the swamps like the swamp otter. Just outside the park tourists can see the Sitatunga in the adjacent Bigodi wetland. The park is not limited to reptiles and amphibians; these can be seen along the trails and around the wetlands.

birds-kibaleBird and Butterfly Species, Kibale National Park has a long list of bird species and these include the Afep Pigeon, White-naped Pigeon, Brown-chested Alethe, Little Green Bul, Abyssinian Ground-thrush, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Red-chested Owlet, Green-breasted Pitta, the Yellow Spotted Nicator, Brown Illadopsis, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Collared Apalis, Warbler Scaly-breasted Illadopsis , the Crowned Eagle, Black Bee-eater, Little Greenbul, Black-capped Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Nahans francolin, White-naped Pigeon, Red-chested fluff tail, Blue-headed Sunbird and the Blue-breasted Kingfisher.

These are just a piece of the 375 individually unique bird species which can be found in this park. Tourists also have an opportunity to see and take pictures of a number of colorful bird species. So far 250 butterfly species have been identified.

floral species in kibale national park
floral species in kibale national park

Floral Species, At the time when Kibale was still managed as a forest reserve, many of her tree species were logged, resulting into the extinction of a great number of plant and tree species.

However over the years, there have been campaigns to carry out reforestation in order to revive some of those unique tree species. Furthermore, a number of exotic tree species like the beautiful pine trees and eucalyptus have also been introduced in the park’s forest.

Today the park boasts of over 250 tree species, with the largest part of the park being covered by a moist evergreen semi-deciduous forest. These tree species continue to attract tourists and researchers who are interested in botany.

Kasenda crater lakes kibale national park
Kasenda crater lakes kibale national park

Ndali – Kasenda crater lakes, This is a spot for everyone to visit. The Ndali – Kasenda crater lakes are situated about 30km south of Fort Portal town.

This area forms a stretch of 60 stable and seasonal freshwater lakes which are in the areas of Rweetera, Kasenda, Kabata and Rwaihamba.

The lakes at Kasenda are famous for their magical history. The local people narrate that after losing his throne to Wamala his son; the ruler of the Bachwezi called Ndahura, left his kingdom and formed the lakes we see today at Kasenda.

But it is not only for their history that they are worthy visiting but also the beauty that they present especially in the vegetation that surrounds them. At this point tourists can see colorful butteries, the harmonious bird species, and the jubilant monkeys.

The place offers awesome views of the expansive tea estates of Kabarole district, the beautiful snowcapped Rwenzori Mountains; and to the south tourists can see Lake George and the Rift Valley plains.

Tourist Activities in Kibale Forest National Park Uganda

kibale chimp trekkingChimpanzee tracking/trekking and habituation,It is profoundly easy to see the chimpanzees of Kibale National Park, and these dominate the animals which are sighted when in the Kanyanchu walk.

The starting times for the Kanyancu walk are 7am and 2pm lasting about three (3) hours on average; exposing life in varied forms along the way.

Tourists who wish to see the chimps doing their private obligations like copulation, breast feeding, resting patrolling and exhibiting; have to get up earlier to view the chimps between 6:00 and 6:30am until the time the chimps build their new nests at around 7:00pm.

There is also an opportunity for tourists to take part in the Chimpanzee habituation experience (CHEX) which takes a full day.

The tourists will be assigned to chimpanzee communities which are under habituation and this is such a rewarding experience to explore the cleverness of these animals. Prior booking is however recommended for those who wish to participate in this activity.

nature-walks-kibaleNature walks and hiking in Kibale National Park, The day nature walk is surely something to look out for, as it will unveil a number of flora and fauna species. Since the walks are done through the jungle, it is advisable that tourists travel with a ranger guide for their security but also for easier identification of species.

Tourists who wish to add to their list of sightings can decide to embark on a guided night nature walk where they will stand a chance of seeing nocturnal animals like the bush babies, hyraxes, nightjar, crickets’ pottos and the rarely seen serval cat. This is facilitated by the use of bright shining flashlights.

birding-kibaleBirding in Kibale National Park, Kibale National Park has up to 138 bird species which may be seen during the guided nature walks along the viewing platforms and the boardwalk trail.

This abundance of bird species ensures that birders find this to be their own haven where they can see species like the White-breasted Negrofinch, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Black Bishop, the Grey-winged Robin-chat and the Western Nicator.

The birding tour starts from a place called Kanyanchu at 7:00am. Birders can find more bird species just outside the park at a place called the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

cultural-encounter-kibaleCultural encounters, Tourists also have the opportunity to meet with the Batooro and the Bakiga who are the Park’s main neighbors. While with these people tourists can enjoy learning a great deal about how these people do their daily work in a traditional way including the making and selling of crafts, traditional healing, music dance and drama and furthermore to just be immersed in the traditional lives of the Batooro and the Bakiga.

This walk will take tourists to the Bigodi community where the local communities have grouped themselves under the KAFRED umbrella (Kibale Association for Rural Environment Development). This ecotourism establishment has greatly supported the livelihoods of these people through direct and indirect benefits from tourism.

Getting to Kibale Forest National Park Uganda – How to Access Kibale national park

FromTo Kibale National Park
Kampala via Fort Portal330km
Fort Portal30km
Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP)441km
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Buhoma280km
Nkuringo436km
Rushaga429km
Ruhija338km
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Ishasha217km
Mweya157km
Kabale384km
Kisoro464km
Mbarara154km

 There a daily public bus services between Kampala and Kibale National Park. Although the roads are relatively fine, tourists are still advised to use FWD power vehicles to reach the park (if they prefer to use private means). Read More

Safari lodges in Kibale Forest National Park Uganda

Primate Lodge Kibale

Primate Lodge

The lodge is hidden deep into Kibale National Park and provides a real feel of the true African jungle. This is the best way to sleep when oj a primate tracking safari to Kibale National Park. Guest accommodations include eight (8) superior safari tents; seven (7) ultimate forest cottages; a remote sky tree house and an expansive and well maintained camping area. All accommodations apart from the camping area have en-suite washroom facilities while those who use the camping area have lavatories which they can all share. The main lodge are has power spots from where clients can charge their gadgets, a bar and restaurant, gift shops and ample parking area. While at the lodge, guests can enjoy performances done by traditional dance groups and can also enjoy the music made by the parks birds and primates. Guests are expected to check-in at 2:00pm and checkout at 10:00am.

Find More about Safari Lodges Kibale Forest National Park Uganda

Uganda Safari Parks – Uganda Safari Destinations

As of now, Uganda features a count of 10 national parks including Mount Elgon National Park in the east, Kidepo Valley National Park in the north east, Murchison Falls National Park in the north west, Kibale National Park, Semliki National Park and Rwenzori National Park in the west, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Lake Mburo National Park in the south west.
Right from the colonial era, a range of national parks have been gazetted in the countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo over time and the independent national governments have continued with the initiative.

Uganda is a land gifted by nature. Uganda stands among the many on the continent as the Pearl of Africa teaming with a count of ten National Parks that are spread all over Uganda. The range of biodiversity thrives in these protected areas from which they find their natural protection to push their existence to posterity.The Uganda National Parks present opportunity for a myriad of tourist activities like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, the forest hiking, birding, classic wild game viewing among other activities explored on safaris in Uganda. Read More

Kibale Forest National Park has thirteen (13) recorded primate species including the L’Hoest’s monkey and its 1,450 chimpanzees which cannot be seen anywhere else in Uganda in such big numbers. The park also has an additional sixty (60) mammal species including the migrant, the warthogs, bush pigs, buffalos, 500 elephants and hippos. Kibale National Park also serves its visitors to four (4) species of wild felids including the leopards and the lions which migrate between Kibale Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kibale National park adjoins with Queen Elizabeth National Park to form a 180km (111 mi) wildlife corridor, and for this reason a number of ground-dwelling mammals cannot be seen regularly. Read More

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the Uganda gorilla safaris & Tours park is conveniently situated in the Kigezi Highlands of south-west Uganda, adjacent to the frontier of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was gazetted as a National Park in 1991 and declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994. It was created due to its exceptional biodiversity, with more than 163 species of trees and over 100 species of ferns. Various bird species and butterflies, as well as many endangered species, including the mountain gorilla. Read More

Lake Mburo national park has a number of bird species including the uncommonly seen shoebill, the white winged warbler, the African fish eagles and the red faced barbet which can only be viewed in Lake Mburo National Park. In total birders can be delighted to see over 300 bird species in Lake Mburo National Park. Read More

Like three other National Parks in Africa, Mgahinga provides a refuge to some of the world’s remaining population of world mountain gorillas. Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National park, together provide shelter to over half of the world’s total mountain gorilla population. Mgahinga National Park is positioned in the far southwestern part of Uganda in a district called Kisoro about 510km from Uganda’s Capital City Kampala. The park is Uganda’s smallest national park with a total area of 33.7km2. Read More

Mountain Elgon National Park is located on the eastern part Uganda and bisected by the border of Kenya and Uganda. The park is also the largest and oldest solitary, volcanic mountain in East African region. Its enormous areas form, eighty (80) km in diameter and rises more than 3,000m above the surrounding plains. The mountain’s cool heights offer respite from the hot plains below, with the higher altitudes providing a refuge for flora and fauna. Read More

]Queen Elizabeth National Park which is described as “Uganda’s Great Rift Valley” by Andrew Roberts is the second largest national park in Uganda spanning in the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Bushenyi and Rukungiri. The park was established in 1954 and it covers almost 1,978 square kilometers. It is bordered in the West by Lake Edward and in the North by the Rwenzori Mountains, and is separated into two parts, the Northern and Southern park. Read More

Uganda Gorilla Safari Tours – Uganda Gorilla trekking Safaris

Uganda Gorilla Safaris comes with an exceptional experience that is not only got from encountering the Mountain gorillas but also a tour to different wildlife safari destination of Queen Elizabeth national park alive with tree climbing lions, Kazinga Channel, undertaking an ultimate primate trekking encounter and wetland nature walk in Kibale forest park or visiting the different cultural sites spread in different parts of Uganda.

These together with their unique rich cultural heritage combine to trigger or offer an utmost Uganda Gorilla safari experience.

3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Uganda Safari

This 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Uganda Safari tour, takes you into the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park to trek the world endangered species of the mountain gorillas thriving in the park. Read More

4 Days Gorilla & Wildlife Safari in Uganda

The 4 Days Gorillas & Wildlife Safari in Uganda, is safari package that allows you to explore the world endangered species of the Mountain gorillas thriving in Bwindi Impenetrable National park. Read More

4 Days Gorilla & Wildlife Safari Uganda

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5 Days Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari tour

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6 Days Gorilla & Chimps Safari Uganda

The 6 Days Bwindi Gorillas & Kibale Chimps Safari Uganda is one of the excellent safaris 0rganised for you to explore the natural wonders in Uganda. Read More

Long Uganda Safaris – Long Uganda Gorilla Safari Tour & Wildlife Tours

8 Days Uganda Mountain Gorilla Trekking Safari

The 8 Days Uganda Mountain Gorilla trekking Safari is an excellent safari package that starts with the visit to lake Mburo national park which is unique Small National park. Read More

9 Days Uganda Wildlife & Gorilla Safari

The 9 Days Uganda Wildlife & Gorilla Tour is complete safari package that will take you to the Pearl of Africa’s most outstanding tourism destination like Murchison Falls National Park. Read More

10 Days Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari

The 10 Days Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari is a comprehensive safari package that enables you to explore among the Uganda’s best destinations that are filled with counts. Read More

13 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

The 13 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda starts and ends on Entebbe Uganda. The safari features impressive Uganda safari micro destinations talking you to Lake Mburo National Park. Read More

15 Days Uganda Gorilla, Wildlife & Culture Safari

The 15 Days Uganda Gorilla, Adventure, Wildlife & Culture Safari starts and ends in Entebbe Uganda. The safari takes you to the famous Uganda safari destinations. Read More

18 Days Uganda Comprehensive Safari

The 18 Days Uganda Comprehensive Safari gives you a detailed encounter of Uganda stretching from the north east to the south west. Read More

Other Related Uganda Safaris – Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safaris

7 Days Uganda Primate Safari Tour

The 7 days Uganda Primate safari tour provides travelers on primate trekking that rare chance to trek the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat of Bwindi Impenetrable national park conveniently positioned in south western part of Uganda. The safari takes travellers through Kibale forest national park. Read More

3 Days Kibale Chimpanzee Trekking

The 3 days Kibale chimpanzee trekking tour enables you to explore Kibale National Park dubbed the primate capital of the world with largest counts of habituated chimpanzees in the whole of Uganda. The 3 day’s Chimpanzee trekking safari offers you an opportunity to encounter the habituated chimpanzees in their natural habitat.. Read More

3 Days Murchison falls Wildlife tour

The 3 Days Murchison falls Wildlife tour is good tour package that will take you to Uganda largest national park –Murchison falls located in the North Western part of Uganda .The tour will offers you an opportunity to explore the world’s most powerful water fall and have an account of unique wildlife species like giraffes, elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopard among others. Read More

4 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari to Kidepo National Park

The 4 days Uganda Wildlife Safari to Kidepo Valley National Park is good wildlife tour that entails you encountering Africa’s wilderness park-Kidepo National Park conveniently located in the rugged, semi-arid valleys of Karamoja region on the far northern frontier of Uganda and Sudan. The 4 days wildlife safari to Kidepo allows you to view wide –range of exciting faunas like the greater and lesser kudu, eland and cheetah, lion, leopard, spotted hyena. Read More

4 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trek & Lake Mburo Wildlife Tour

The 4 day Bwindi gorilla trek &Lake Mburo Wildlife Tour is short interesting tour that gives you chance to have life changing experience of trekking the mountain gorillas thriving in the ancient Impenetrable forests in Bwindi. The safari starts from Kampala and it takes you to south western Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable where you will have the best experience on earth to interact with the stunning apes of the mountain gorillas. Read More

4 Days Queen Elizabeth Uganda Wildlife Safari

This 4 Days Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari will enable you to participate in the highly experiential tourism activities in Uganda‘s Second largest National Park-Queen Elizabeth national park. The 4 Days wildlife safari will allow you to encounter the adventurous launch cruise on the picturesque waters of the Kazinga Channel, undertake an early morning game drive in the well-coordinated Kasenyi tracks and chimpanzee trekking at Kyambura George. Read More

12 Days Uganda Classic Wildlife Safari

The 12 Days Uganda Classic Wild Safari is one of the comprehensive safari packages that are organized by prime Safaris & Tours for tourists interested in wildlife viewing experience in the Pearl of Africa. This complete Safari package will allow you to explore Kampala Capital City which is destination endowed with different attractions ranging from historical to cultural and religious attractions. Read More

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The 15 days, Uganda Wildlife safari is complete safari package that will take you through the most marvels of Uganda the pearl of Africa. The safari offers you an opportunity to take park in the top tourism activities within Uganda’s national parks including wildlife viewing in Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth, Chimpanzee tracking in the primate Capital-Kibale forest Park. Read More

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5 Days Queen Elizabeth & Kibale Uganda Wildlife Tour

5 Day Queen Elizabeth & Kibale Wildlife Tour is an interesting tour package that is organized for visitors interested in trekking the chimpanzees and participating in boat cruise, game drive, forest walk, wetland walk and community tours. The safari tour take you to explore Kibale National Park, home to a total of 70 mammal species, most popularly the thirteen (13) species of primate including the chimpanzees and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Read More

6 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari – Kidepo Valley Park & Murchison falls

The 6 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari is good safari packages that visitor on Uganda Safari should opt for. The Safari package enables you to explore the two outstanding protected areas in Uganda –the pearl of Africa.

The 6 days Uganda wildlife safari starts from Kampala and it takes you to Kidepo Valley National park strategically positioned in the unexplored Karamoja region in the North Eastern part of Uganda. Read More

7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari

This 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari is complete safari package that is targeted for visitors interested in wild game viewing.

The Safari takes you to Murchison Falls National Park- Uganda ‘s Largest National Park with the world’s powerful falls and an account of unique wildlife species like Elephants, Lions, Hippos. Read More

Kibale National Park was gazetted in 1932 and then established as a National Park in 1993 to protect a large area of forest which was previously managed as a logged Forest Reserve.

Before gazetting it as a national park, Kibale had lost a great number of tree species to logging especially at a time when it was still gazetted as a Forest Reserve. Today the park has a variety of vegetation types including one of Uganda’s most diverse tropical forests, grasslands and swamp vegetation.

The park has 351 tree species some of which rise to as high as 55m and live for over 200 years. Visitors are not only fed to amazing shades of grassy-green but they can see a number of different landscapes which form excellent spots for picture taking.

Kibale Forest National Park Map
Kibale Forest National Park Map

Kibale National Park has thirteen (13) recorded primate species including the L’Hoest’s monkey and its 1,450 chimpanzees which cannot be seen anywhere else in Uganda in such big numbers.

The park also has an additional sixty (60) mammal species including the migrant, the warthogs, bush pigs, buffalos, 500 elephants and hippos.

Kibale National Park also serves its visitors to four (4) species of wild felids including the leopards and the lions which migrate between Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Kibale National park adjoins with Queen Elizabeth National Park to form a 180km (111 mi) wildlife corridor, and for this reason a number of ground-dwelling mammals cannot be seen regularly because they easily connect from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth due to a number of reasons like finding greener pastures or looking for prey.

The two parks are joined from Sebitoli (northern part of Kibale National Park) and Ishasha (southern part of Queen Elizabeth national Park)

Kibale National park also provides shelter to over 375 species of birds making it an ideal location to direct Uganda birding safaris. Some of the bird species include the African grey parrot, the Western Nicator, Red-chested Owlet, the Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird and the Blue-headed Sunbird.

The park’s strategic location permits a single day excursion to the beautiful town of Fort Portal where the World’s youngest living monarch lives (the king of Tooro kingdom); a visit to the Rwenzori Mountains and a trip to the Toro – Semuliki Wildlife Reserve.

On top of being a key ecotourism destination, Kibale National Park is a center for research. Researchers have over the years carried out research on Kibale’s flora and fauna species. Today Makerere University Biological Field Station (MUBFS) can be found here.

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