Kibale Forest National Park, The Capital of Primates

Kibale Forest National Park  is renowned for its incredible biodiversity, particularly in terms of primates and bird species, located in the western part of Uganda stretching at approximately 766 square kilometers in size protecting the moist evergreen forests, diverse array of landscapes and it is one of the few remaining destinations with both lowland and montane forests.

History of the Park

The park was gazetted in 1932 and formally established in 1993 to protect the forests which were previously managed as a logged forest reserve and it forms a continuous forest with Queen Elizabeth national park. The space where the two parks adjoin is about 180 kilometers and it is an important Eco-tourism and safari destination habituating numerous chimpanzees.

Where does Kibale Forest fit into your Uganda Safari?

Explore kibale forest national Park on Self drive Safari & explore the Primate capital and home of the birds , 4×4 Africa helps you plan to explore the pearl in 4×4 Uganda Car Rental Jeep.

Kibale national park is one of the parks in Uganda with the highest concentration of primates especially the endangered chimpanzees and other 13 species of primates.  Among these include the Uganda mangabey, the Uganda red colobus, black and white colobus, blue monkey and others. Other animals besides the primates in the park include elephants, bushbucks, mongoose, leopards, buffalos, bush pigs, servals and sometimes the lions also visit the park. Also, the park hosts over 325 bird species including the western tinker bird, olive long tailed cuckoo and others.

Safari activities in Kibale National Park

Uganda Self drive Safari is possible to Kibale forest National Park and with the key highlight of your visit with 4×4 Africa being the Chimpanzee watching , Nature walks & Community visits. The roads to Kibale forest National Park is well maintained and we recommend even smalll 4×4 cars like Toyota rav4 for this park visit while on Uganda Safari. 

Chimpanzee Tracking

Kibale is known as the “Primate Capital of the World” due to its high population of chimpanzees that are seen during chimpanzee trekking experience. The activity involves walking through the forests of the park in search of the endangered chimpanzees. When they are allocated, travelers are allowed to spend about an hour with them as they observe their ways of life and also take pictures with them.

With over 1500 chimpanzees, Kibale national park stands as the best destination in Uganda and East Africa at large where tourists can go for the experience. Apart from the chimps, the park is also a home to other primate species including the blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, red colobus monkeys, bush babies and others.

Kibale forest national Park hosts over 370 bird species, its one of the best birding destinations where one can go for birding experience while on a Uganda Safari tour with 4×4 Africa. The best time for birding at the park is from March to May and From September to November since different birds including the migratory ones are always in the park. Among the birds to be seen include papyrus gonolek, African pitta, slender-billed weaver, tropical boubou, crowned eagle, African pied wagtail, blue breasted kingfisher, breasted pitta, pin tailed whydah, African grey parrot, and others.

Birding Safari

Chimpanzee Habituation

Planning Chimpanzee Habituation experience in Uganda while on guided adventure to Kibale? Chimpanzee Habituation Experience involves the training of the chimpanzees so as to get used to the human presence. The activity is done at Kanyachu information center where other activities like nature walking and chimpanzee trekking take place. Chimpanzee habituation gives the travelers a great opportunity to learn more about the life styles of chimpanzee like their ways of feeding, mating and also their habits since they are given 4 hours to spend in their presence.

Bigodi wetland sanctuary is governed by the village people who are well trained as the guides of the wetlands. Also the wetland is a home to various wildlife species, bird species, butterfly and others. Birds in the wetland include African pitta, weavers, hornbills, purple breasted sunbird, bee-eater, great blue turaco and others.

The animals in the wetland are; bushbucks, vervet monkeys, red colobus monkeys, warthogs, mongoose, blue monkeys and others. A visit to the Bigodi wetland sanctuary involves walking through the trails and swamps as you sight different features like grasslands, tree species, palms and others.

Bigodi Nature walk

Nature walks & Hikes

Self drive Safari to Kibale forest Can never be complete without the nature walk around the park Since Kibale forest national park has got a number of both short and long trails which are enticing activities recommended to self drive travelers in Uganda. The Nature walk provides an opportunity to appreciate the rich flora and fauna of the forest.

Also, one can have guided night walks within kibale forest National Park thus a chance to experience the forest in a completely different way, with a focus on nocturnal creatures like bush babies, Pottos, and various insect species.

Where to stay? Safari Lodges & Camps

When it comes to the top destinations in Uganda with luxury Lodging, trust the experts of 4×4 Africa to select and book for your stay in Kibale national park : The facilities range from luxury, mid-range to budget rates include; Chimpundu Lodge , Primate lodge , Kibale safari lodge, Kyaninga lodge,Chimpanzee Forest Lodge ,  Kibale forest camp.

When to go?

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How to access Kidepo National park?

4×4 Africa is a specialists in Car Rental business within Africa, Access to Kidepo valley national park is subjective to the direction where you will be traveling from the time of travel.

Plan your self drive Safari to Kidepo via Gulu – Kitgum vs the Sipi -Moroto -kidepo as more scenic view is on the second route compared to the first route ! We recommend 4×4 Landcruiser for your adventure to Kidepo !

Unique things to see and explore in Kidepo on Self drive Safari .

Narus Valley: This is rolling and grassland plain encompassed by a variety of mountains. The valley attracts a numerous animal in the park since it contains water which is there throughout the year. Near the valley, there is Narus dam and a waterhole which provide a perfect view of the wildlife in the parks especially during the dry seasons. Among the animals to be viewed here include lions, buffaloes, reedbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, leopards, cheetahs and others.