Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park is one of the best safari destinations in Africa. It is located in the mid western part of Uganda about 348km (5hours drive) It is 766 square kilometres in size and ranges between 1,100 metres and 1,600 metres in elevation. Despite encompassing primarily moist evergreen forest, it contains a diverse array of landscapes .it was established in 1993.

It is about 308km west of Kampala, and 25km southeast of Fort Portal city. It covers districts of Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyenjonjo and Kasese districts. Kibale National Park is commonly known as “the home of chimps and primate capital of the world “The national park status in recognition and diversity includes 350 tree species ,71 species if mammals and 370 species of birds.

Attractions in Kibale Forest National Park

Primates

Kibale national park is a famous habitat for primates with the highest population of chimpanzees, Kibale National Park is covered by thick forests, big tall trees where primates habit, feed, and build nests. Kibale forest national park is a habitat of 13 spectacular species of primates that is chimpanzees, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, and red-tailed monkeys, Ugandan red colobus monkey and Central African monkey. Of all the primates, chimpanzees have the largest population with 1450 chimpanzee individuals. Chimpanzees in Kibale national park offer the most fascinating chimpanzee habituation and trekking experience and these are mostly done in Kanyanchu. In Kibale national park there is also nocturnal primates like pottos and bush babies which are seen while on night forest walks

Wildlife species

Kibale National Park is not only a home to primates, the park also is a home to other wildlife species which habit in the thick forests featured around the park. Other animals in the park include elephants , golden cats, leopards, lions, serval cat, buffaloes, bush pig, Peter’s and Harvey’s duiker, African palm civet ,alexander’s Cusi manse ,marshmangoose ,warthogs , bushbucks , giant forest hogs, Sitatunga, swamp otter  and many more .Sitatunga and swamp otter are seen near Bigodi wetlands sanctuary and an estimated elephant population of 500 elephants ,golden cats ,leopards ,lions are occasionally seen migrating from Queen Elizabeth national park which is adjacent to Kibaale national park.

Birds

Kibale national park is an important birding site which is favoured by the forested nature of the park. The park is a home to about 375 attractive colourful species of birds with ground thrush bird species and migratory bird species which occasionally migrate from Queen Elizabeth National park  and other neighbouring areas .Birds at the park include  Western Tinker bird, brown crested Alethe ,African Grey parrot , Olive long tailed Cuckoo, blue breasted  kingfisher, tallow rumpled  tinkerbird , red chested owlet ,red chested woodland warbler ,black eared ground thrush , ,African pitta ,black capped Apellis , purple breasted sun bird ,white napped pigeon, African grey parrot among others

 Vegetation

Kibale national park features a thick moist evergreen and semi deciduous forest cover which consists approximately 250 tree species , among these  tree species there is some species that are endangered timber species such as Cordia millennia, entandrophragma andolense , lovoa swynnertonni and many more .Other species are eucalyptus and pine trees .Though the park has lost a wide range of tree species due to logging which  has been illegally done by the locals but due to numerous efforts this illegal activity has been stopped.

Culture

Kibale national park is a home of African culture. The park is surrounded by settlements of 2 local groups that is to say Bakiga and Batooro. These communities offer numerous authentic African cultural activities like local dances and songs, local hand made crafts

Crater lakes

Craters are also referred to as Kibaale Ndali Kasenda crater lakes offer a tranquil scenic view, these lakes are situated near the park and can be visited as additional to your Uganda primate Safari in Kibale national park. The area is dotted with a series of 60 stable and seasonal fresh water. these lakes include lake Nyamasingiri, lake Ntambi, Lake Mubiro, Lake Nyanswinga, Lake Nyinabulitwa, Lake Nyinambuga, lake Nyabikere, lake Nkuruba, Lake Lyantonde and many more.

Upon the visit on these lakes, you get to enjoy beautiful thick vegetation, butterflies, monkeys, sights of Rwenzori ranges and panoramic views of tea plantations. These lakes are not only beautiful but they harbour a beautiful legendary story behind their formation, legendary stories state that their lakes were formed by Ndahura a Chwezi ruler during the time when he had just fled from his kingdom after he was dethroned by his son Wamala.

Butterfly species

Kibale National Park is a home of to approximately 250 colourful butterfly species which are seen in the park