Kibale
Forest National Park
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INTRODUCTION
The park is located next to the foothills of the Mountains
of the Moon in western Uganda and occupies an area of 795
sq km. It is the most accessible of Uganda's major tropical
rainforests. Kibale forest national park is home to a remarkable
13 primate species with both nocturnal and diurnal species.
These include chimpanzees, the localized red colobus monkey,
L'Hoest's monkey, black and white colobus monkey, pottos,
Guereza Colobus, Olive Baboon, Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, and
Red-tailed Monkeys among others.
The park has got various vegetation zones which include
mature, mid-altitude, moist semi-deciduous and evergreen
forest (57%), grassland (15%), woodland (4%), lakes and
wetlands (2%), colonizing forest (19%), and plantations
of exotic trees (1%) ; primarily Cupressus lusitanica, Pinus
patula, P. caribaea, and Eucalyptus species.
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The vegetation in the
park has attracted a number of other interesting mammals which
include the elusive forest elephant, Buffaloes, Ichneumon,
Bushbucks, African Civet cats, Banded and Marsh Mongooses,
Bush pigs, Alexander's Cusimanse, Swamp Otter, Ratel and African
Palm Civet. Although Golden Cat, Serval, Lion, Leopard, Warthogs,
Giant Hogs and Hippopotamus among others.
The park is blessed with over 335 bird species which include
Red-chested Fluff tail, Red-winged Francolin, Joyful Greenbul,
Green-breasted Pitta, Grey-winged Robin, Abyssinian Ground
Thrush, Grey-throated Flycatcher, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher,
, Uganda Woodland Warbler, White-naped Pigeon, Chestnut-winged
Starling, Orange-tufted and Tiny Sunbirds, Grey-headed Olive-back
African Pitta, Masked and Black-capped Apalises among others. |
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GETTING TO
THE PARK
From Kampala the park lies 320km along a mostly surfaced direct
road, 26km South-west of Fort Portal town. From Kasese it
is only a one-hour drive journey. From Fort Portal, the park
can be accessed via a dirt road that connects to Kanyanchu
Tourist Centre. For those who prefer to travel by air, a private
charter flight to Kasese airstrip can be arranged and combined
with a transfer to Kibale by road (1 hour Drive) VISITOR
ACTIVITIES
Chimpanzee tracking is the major tourism activity that is
carried out in the park. Tracking these habituated and delightful
apes is an unforgettable experience. Closely related to
humans than to any other living creature, chimpanzees gives
tremendous fun to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting
trees within the park.
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The Nature walks through
the Bigodi swamp where a number of birds can be seen on the
trail as well as conservation projects is also another activity
in Kibale National Park.
Short walks involved with tree identification.
There are educational walks for children who are not allowed
to track the chimpanzees.
Community walks are also part of the activities that take
place in the neighboring local villages.
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Tour Attractions
• Chimpanzee Tracking
• Bird Watching
• Nature Walks
• Crater Lakes region
• Healing springs and water falls
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