Kibale national park also known as the primate capital of the world is located in the east of mountain Rwenzori and shared by the districts of kabarole, kamwengye, fort portal as well as Kasese in western Uganda. The park is approximately 320 km from Entebbe international airport to Kibale national park taking a journey of about 6 – 7 hours.
Kibale national park covers an area of about 776 sqkm habiting the highest population density of the primate in Africa summing up to 13 primates in the park including the red tailed monkeys, white and black colubus monkeys, bush babies, blue and grey checked Managebey, black colubus monkeys. The park also is a home to about 71 mammal species including African elephants, Lions, Leopards, among many, about 371 species including six species that are endemic to the Albertine region like the Black-capped Apalis, Collared Apalis and Kibale Specials like the Green Breasted Pitta, African Pitta, Black-bee eater and the crowned eagle.
The park was established in 1940’s as a forest reserve and later got upgraded to a national park status in because of its biodiversity that includes 13 primate species, 9 of these being diurnal including chimpanzees which are the main attraction hence termed as the primate capital of the world in Africa.
The Batooro and Bakiga are the neighboring inhabitants of the park hence the park is a great significance to them through providing them what to eat, local herbs and other small needs to these communities as well as creating employment opportunities to the people such as local community guides, chefs and Rangers and market for their locally made souvenirs that has made the population to greatly increase.
Attractions in Kibale forest national park.
Chimpanzees.
Chimpanzees are primates that share about 97.8% of their DNA with that of human beings and have been habituated in this park as the main tourist attractions. Kibale national park is a home to about 1500 chimpanzees which is the largest population that makes it Africa’s biggest primate destination hence the term “Primate Capital of the world”.
Birds of kibale.
The park also habits rare 6 endemic bird species including like the Black-capped Apalis, Collared Apalis and Kibale Specials like the Green Breasted Pitta, African Pitta, Black-bee eater and the crowned eagle among others that are rare in Uganda’s tourist destinations hence makes it a beautiful birders destination
Tourist activities in Kibale National Park
Chimpanzee tracking;
Chimpanzee tracking is the main activity done in Kibale rainforests for most of Travellers on their Uganda safari. Chimpanzees are human’s closest living relatives sharing 97.8% of our genetic blue print (DNA). Chimpanzees are generally plant and fruit eaters but they can also eat insects, eggs and meat, however tourists are not advised to feed them while tracking and encountering them.
Birding;
The primate capital of the world also habits unique bird species that are a rare spot in other birding destinations. Kibale national park is also famously known for birding and therefore is best for birding safaris in Uganda. Bird species including the six rare species like the Black-capped Apalis, Collared Apalis and Kibale Specials like the Green Breasted Pitta, African Pitta, Black-bee eater and the crowned eagle and therefore is a best birding destination too.
Nature walks;
At Kibale national park, nature walks are a thrilling activity taking you through the neighboring community villages and the Bigodi swamp that is a home to about 200 species of bird. A tourist on his or her Uganda trip will enjoy different aspects in the park with lots of hidden secrets in the magnificent destination.
Community visits;
Community visits to the Batooro community are rich in the Batooro culture that includes traditional dances, foods and other traditional beliefs. A traveler interested in community visits can take a guided tour through the community with the local guide teaching them about the history of area such as Bigodi’s history of the two tribes.
Where to lodge in the park.
Kibale has got various lodging facilities that can accommodate different kinds of travelers who visit the park right away from luxury type of accommodation, midrange and budget lodges near the forest or natural features such as crater lakes that give a visitor a wonderful guest experience at the lodge. These include, Primate Lodge, Kyaninga Crater lodge, Crater Safari Lodge and Papaya lodge for luxury, Kibale Forest Camp for midrange among many.
Getting there and away:
Kibale National park can be accessed by both air and road transport. From Kampala through fort portal – kamwengye districts or Kampala through masaka – fort portal high way which takes a bout 700km from Kampala and covering a period of about 7 – hours.
Kibale Forest National park is the world’s greatest concentration of concern and the best place to do chimpanzee tracking for a traveler on a Uganda safari
By John Byaruhanga
