Kibale Park Introduction - Location, Wildlife & History

Despite its relatively small size of 795 square kilometers, Kibale National Park is a stunningly beautiful natural reserve that captivates like-minded adventurers on their safari vacation in Uganda. The park received gazetted status as a protected area in 1932 and was formally declared a national reserve in 1993. Its most valued treasure is an incredible diversity of primates – 13 species in all, including the rare Eastern chimpanzee. Kibale stands on the northern boundary of the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along with Semuliki National Park and Semliki-Tooro Reserve in the west, and Katonga Reserve on the east, the entire wilderness forms the Kibale Conservation Area.

As you will discover on your safari vacation, Kibale Park is a 180-kilometer-long corridor that connects these major reserves and allows an unconfined passage of wildlife from distant Ishasha in the south of Queen Elizabeth Park all the way to the northern Sebitoli area. Aside from attracting the interest of tourists and wildlife enthusiasts, the park also forms an important center for study and research on primates. It’s the location of the famous Makerere University Biological Field Station. In addition, the Kibale Chimpanzee Project (KCP), founded in 1987 under the leadership of Dr. Richard Wrangham, is focused on studying the behavior, physiology, and favored habitats of the wild chimpanzees of Uganda.

An interesting facet of Kibale National Park (best time to visit) is that it covers a striking range of altitudes, from 1590 meters above sea level in the northernmost section to 1100 meters at the lowest point, where the southern section of the park slopes into the bed of the Albertine Rift Valley. This diversity of altitudes contributes to an amazing range of flora found within the park. Close to 77% of the park has a forest cover. This includes medium-altitude, moist-climate evergreen trees in the north. As you descend to lower altitudes during your travel through the park, you will come across semi-deciduous woodlands. In all, close to 351 species of trees abound here, and it’s not unusual to come upon specimens that are more than 200 years old and up to 55 meters tall.

The remaining 23% of the landscape on Kibale Park’s south side boasts wetlands, sprawling savannah grasslands where lions roam, and acreages of coniferous trees. This park is one of the last remaining regions with both mountainous rainforests and swamplands. The reserve has yet another notable feature: owing to its location in the Albertine Rift Valley, the landscape is dotted with extinct volcanic craters, some of which have transformed over the centuries into gloriously beautiful crater lakes that attract a variety of flora and fauna. The most famous of these lakes is the Ndali-Kasenda crater.

Kibale National Park is fast emerging as a favored destination on the Ugandan safari circuit thanks to the speedy development of an infrastructure that supports cultural tourism. This development is particularly notable because it involves several community projects and is focused on the participation of the local tribes, the Bakiga and Batoro. These people have survived in the forest for centuries, relying on its resources for food, fuel, raw materials for crafts, and medicines. By obtaining employment in the tourism industry, they can now earn a livelihood that was taken away with the setting of the reserve boundaries.

Key Takeaways

• Received gazetted status in 1932, formally declared a national park in 1993
• An incredible diversity of primates, home to 13 species in all, including the rare chimpanzees. 351 different species of trees and plants
• Adjoins the northern boundary of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Park is a 180-kilometer long corridor allowing the unrestricted passage of wildlife between the southern Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth Park to the northern Sebitoli region of Kibale Park
• Location of the renowned Makerere University Biological Field Station. Kibale Chimpanzee Project (KCP), established in 1987 under the leadership of Dr. Richard Wrangham operates in the park
• 77% of the reserve is covered with moist-climate evergreen trees and semi-deciduous woodlands. 23% of the reserve with wetlands, sprawling savanna grasslands, and mountainous rainforests. Landscape also having scenic craters left behind by extinct volcanoes now converted into lakes

Watch Video On Kibale Chimpanzee Safari Experiences

Travel Guide Content - Start Here

1. What Are The Wildlife Experiences In Kibale National Park?

What Are The Areas Of Interest In Kibale National Park

2. Chimpanzees & Primates Of Kanyawara, Ngogo, Kanyanchu & Sebitole Areas

3. Viewing Other Wildlife In Kibale’s Conservation Areas & Uncharted Wilderness

4. Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary & The Kanyanchu Birding Area

5. The Cultural Communities Of The Batoro & Bakiga Tribes

6. Viewing the Flora of Kibale

1. What Are The Wildlife Experiences In Kibale National Park?

Key Takeaways

• Close to 1500 individual chimpanzees known to live here, some of which have been habituated
• Park is also home to various other types of primates only found here
• Also has 70 species of mammals, 375 kinds of birds, 250 types of butterflies, and myriad reptiles and amphibians

The spectacular habitats formed by the altitudes and flora together form the perfect setting for a high concentration of primates. One of the main reasons visitors plan trips to this part of Uganda is a large number of wild chimpanzees present in the area – close to 1500, in fact – some of which have been habituated and can be visited. In addition to the chimpanzees, Kibale National Park is home to many other species of primates, of which a few are not found anywhere else in the world. For instance, on your tour, you could spot red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, spectacled Prince Demidoff's bushbaby, other galagos and many more. Also, look out for some of the 70 species of mammals, an incredible 375 varieties of birds, 250 kinds of butterflies, and a fascinating range of 70 amphibians and reptiles.

What Are The Areas Of Interest In Kibale National Park?

2. Chimpanzees & Primates Of Kanyawara, Ngogo, Kanyanchu & Sebitole Areas

Key Takeaways

• 13 species of primates, some of them exceedingly rare
• Main highlight is the opportunity to view the 1500 individual chimpanzees that thrive in the forests
• Research programs like the Kibale Chimpanzee Project (KCP) and Makerere University Biological Field Station working to study them

Kibale National Park is famous for its high concentration of primates, particularly the nearly 1500 chimpanzees, some of which you could get a chance to visit on your trekking tour in various areas i.e Kanyawara, Ngogo, Kanyanchu & Sebitole. In addition to these unique creatures, you might spot some of the 12 other species of primates that live here, including the red-tailed monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red colobus, L’Hoest monkey, vervet monkey, black-and-white colobus, potto, olive baboon, blue monkey, and two kinds of bush babies i.e Prince Demidoff' and Thomas’s galagos. Research programs like the Kibale Chimpanzee Project (KCP) and Makerere University Biological Field Station have been set up in the reserve to study these fabulous creatures.

3. Viewing Other Wildlife In Kibale’s Conservation Areas & Uncharted Wilderness

Key Takeaways

• Possibility of sighting 375 avian and 70 terrestrial species of wildlife
• Close to 500 elephants and a range of herbivores and antelopes including the rare sitatunga
• Large and small predators, 250 kinds of butterflies, insects, reptiles, and amphibians

While Kibale National Park hosts an incredible variety of primates, other species – including 375 avian and 70 terrestrial types of wildlife – also call it home. On your bushwalking hike deep in the forest, wetlands, and sprawling savannah grasslands, you could spot some of the 500 elephants present in the park, along with other grazers like buffaloes, five kinds of antelopes, warthogs, Peter’s duiker, Harvey’s duiker, bush pigs, bushbuck, Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrel (anomalure), and honey badger. Should you travel to the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, you might catch a glimpse of the extremely shy and elusive sitatunga antelope.

Among the predator group, lions, leopards, golden cats, serval, common genets, and the African palm civet are present primarily in the open south region of the park but rarely spotted. You could also see three kinds of mongoose: Alexander’s cusimanse, the marsh mongoose, and the banded mongoose. Check out the crater lakes of Kibale and you might run into swamp otters and hippos. In addition, your safari vacation in Africa will be made memorable by sighting some of the park’s 250 varieties of butterflies and myriad reptiles, insects, and amphibians.

4. Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary & The Kanyanchu Birding Area

Key Takeaways

• Birdwatching expeditions to spot some of the incredible avian life, of which 4 are only seen in Kibale
• 138 species of birds sighted in the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary
• Kanyanchu area also known for its incredible diversity of birds

While primate-viewing is no doubt the prime tourist activity in Kibale National Park, the locale is also a complementing birding destination and proudly hosts more than 375 species of birds. Sign up for your Uganda birdwatching safari with AfricanMecca, where you might spot specimens like the green-breasted pitta, white-naped pigeon, red-chested owlet, western nicator, little greenbul, African grey parrot, Scaly-breasted illadopsis, black-capped apalis, collared apalis, yellow spotted nicator, red-faced woodland warbler, brown illadopsis, blue-breasted kingfisher, dusky crimsonwing, purple-breasted sunbird, African pitta, black bee-eater, black-eared ground thrush, yellow-rumped tinkerbird, Abyssinian ground-thrush, Afep pigeon, brown-chested alethe, crowned eagle, and blue-headed sunbird.

As the AfricanMecca expert guide accompanying you will explain, Kibale National Park also hosts four species that are not found in any other location in Uganda. These include the blue-headed bee-eater, Cassin’s spinetail, masked apalis, and Nahan’s francolin. The Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary alone boasts 138 types of avifauna. In this area you could spot the black-crowned waxbill, white-breasted negro finch, black bishop, Bocage’s bush-shrike, brown-crowned tchagra, superb sunbird, brown-throated wattle-eye, black-and-white shrike-flycatcher, brown-backed scrub-robin, white-tailed ant-thrush, grey-winged robin-chat, yellow-billed barbet, white-spotted flufftail, hairy-breasted barbet, and the yellow-spotted barbet.

The Kanyanchu area in Kibale National Park (where to stay) also has a high density of birds, and during your safari holiday you should keep your eyes peeled for the white-winged warbler, papyrus canary, papyrus gonolek, and white-collared oliveback. Other species that abound here include the fine-banded woodpecker, white-bellied crested flycatcher, red-faced crimson-wing, bar-tailed trogon, forest ground thrush, and the white-thighed hornbill.

5. The Cultural Communities Of The Batoro & Bakiga Tribes

Key Takeaways

• Cultural heritage dating back to the ancient kingdoms thriving in the Great Lakes’ region
• Communities forced to relocate after the establishment of the reserve in 1993
• Upliftment of the Bakiga and Batoro people as a result of tourism

Kibale National Park has a rich cultural heritage that goes back to the time of the ancient kingdoms that flourished in Africa’s Great Lakes region. One of these dynasties is the Batoro clan. Under the leadership of the king, or Omukama, they are descendants of the Kingdom of Toro – hence the name Batoro. The second tribe living in the region are regional emigrants, the Bakiga, traveled here from the southwest of Uganda and have a unique culture of their own, including dance and music forms, language, and ancient folklore. You may have the rare chance to participate in some of these arts while on a cultural vacation tour in Africa.

The Bakiga and Batoro have lived in the reserve for many centuries, relying on its resources for food, medicines, fuel, and raw material for making crafts and other essentials. After the mapping of the park boundaries in 1993, these tribes were forced to relocate to places outside the forests and adopt a way of living that is very different from their traditions. As a result, a large proportion of the people struggle for survival. In the past, they were often found trying to hunt in the park, which is both an illegal activity and endangers rare species of animals. Superb non-profit organizations such as The New Nature Foundation are now attempting to assimilate these people into the mainstream economy by offering training programs and providing opportunities for education and employment.

6. Viewing the Flora of Kibale

Key Takeaways

• Altitudes ranging from 1100 to 1590 meters above sea level with conditions ideal for the flourishing of diverse plant life
• Landscape showcasing tropical forests, moist evergreens, semi-deciduous trees, forests, savannah grasslands, conifers, and wetlands
• Combines forests on 77% of the land with grasslands and swamps on 23%

Given that Kibale National Park has altitudes ranging from 1100 to 1590 meters above sea level, it hosts a stunning diversity of plant life, including 351 species of trees, bushes, plants, and other vegetation. At the lowest levels, around the Fort Portal plateau, you will encounter moist evergreen or tropical forests. And as you travel on the lower slopes, you will see more moist semi-deciduous trees and then woodlands.

Further, the Kanyanchu region abounds with trees that reach for the skies at up to 55 meters, sheltering shrubs, ferns, and grasses that thrive in the dim sunlight filtering through to the forest floor. Closer to the Albertine Rift Valley floor are more of the grassy savannah fields. As you will observe on your trip, forests cover close to 77% of Kibale National Park. The remaining 23% consists of sprawling grasslands, wetlands, and conifers.

What Safari Attractions & Tour Activities To Experience During Your Kibale Visit?

Key Takeaways

• Park landscape covering a range of altitudes that has a diversity of flora and incredible fauna living in them
• The primary activity is tracking wild chimpanzees. Kibale is home to an astounding 1500 chimpanzee individuals
• Each group allowed to spend 60 minutes with an assigned habituated family.
• Visitors allowed to accompany researchers as they observe and record primate activities and behavior
• Other activities including birdwatching, crater lakes hikes, cultural interactions, chimp habituation experience, canoe excursions, and night forest walks

While discussing your safari vacation in the renowned Kibale National Park with the AfricanMecca tour consultant, you’ll probably want to know about possible activities in the park based on your preference and fitness levels. You may be interested to learn that the reserve’s diverse landscape varies greatly in altitude, resulting in a wide range of flora that attracts a variety of birds, primates, terrestrial animals, reptiles, and other creatures. Further, Kibale National Park forms a corridor that connects several larger wilderness reserves, including the Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south. This wildlife corridor allows for the unrestricted movement of wildlife among the bordering parks, which means you may be lucky enough to spot many rare varieties of terrestrial, semi-aquatic and avian fauna.

The main attraction of the reserve is the astounding variety of primates found in this region of Uganda. During your primate trek tour in the park, you will learn that Kibale is famous for its population of nearly 1500 chimpanzees, along with 12 other types of primates including the grey-cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus monkey, spectacled demidoff, and bush babies. As you trek along the forest trails of Kibale National Park, also look for some of the 70 types of mammals, 375 bird species, 250 kinds of butterflies, and various reptiles, amphibians, and insects that make the park their home.

The expert guide accompanying you will have a keen knowledge of the forest and will help you spot the specific habituated family of chimpanzees that has been assigned to you. As per the regulations laid down by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a fixed number of permits is issued to guests on their safari holiday each day, allowing them to spend a precious hour viewing the primates in their natural habitat. But Kibale National Park has yet another fascinating activity that you can take part in. After procuring the necessary permits many months prior to arrival, you can accompany an expert ranger naturalist as they conduct their research on the chimpanzees. As you visit primate groups with them, you will have the rare opportunity to learn how the habituation process takes place so that the animals become used to the presence of humans and allow them to approach without feeling threatened and moving away quickly.

If you are an enthusiastic birder on safari in Africa, traveling to the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary is a must. This area abounds with a stunning diversity of birdlife which includes the rare shoebill stork. In addition to nature walks in the daytime, you can sign up for explorations in the late evening. Experience life in the bush as nocturnal creatures emerge from their hiding places to forage for food, even as other species settle in for the night.

Since Kibale Conservation Area lies in the Albertine Rift valley area, you can also enjoy seeing any of the several crater lakes that dot its landscapes, each a remnant of the intense volcanic activity that occurred here in the distant past. These lakes now act as magnets for avian fauna and are spectacular to view. You can also enjoy canoe trips on the lakes.

As enriching as it is to see the wildlife of Kibale National Park, so is experiencing the culture of this western region of Uganda. When safari vacationing in the reserve, take time to visit the outskirt villages of the Bakiga and Batoro tribes. Participate in their music and dances and, perhaps, take a lesson in making baskets, hats, and other handcrafted items. Learn about their ancient customs and tribal traditions and the fascinating art of making medicines from plants and herbs. Since young children under 12 years are not allowed on chimpanzee trekking safaris, you can sign them up for other activities such as batik painting, photographing nature, and fishing in the ponds.

Watch Video On Kibale Chimpanzee Trekking Experiences

Our Top 7 Safari Activities In Kibale - Things You Can Do & See

Activities Content - Start Here

1. Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris In Kibale Forest

2. Kibale Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) Safari

3. Birdwatching Safaris In Kibale

4. Exploring Spectacular Crater Lakes Of Kibale & Top Of The World

5. Kibale Evening Forest Walks

6. Cultural & Community Tours Near Kibale Park

7. Touring Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary For Primates & Birds

1. Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris In Kibale Forest

Key Takeaways

• Tracking down habituated families of chimpanzees that live in the park; orientation sessions provided to instruct visitors on what to expect
• Chimpanzee trekking safaris beginning at 8 a.m. or 2 p.m. Each trek taking around 2 to 3 hours walking along easy to moderate hiking trails
• Only 24 permits issued each day for 3 groups with a maximum of 6 to 8 members. There are also 2 addiitional groups available

If you sign up for the chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale National Park (where to stay), you will be assigned to one of the 5 groups of chimps that have been habituated for tourism and research. The first is the Kanyawara community, which comprises 60 individuals, while the second is a very large family with 200 individuals. These groups have been studied under the Kibale Chimpanzee Project. The third group frequents the Kanyanchu area, and the tracking activity involving this group is called the Kanyanchu Primate Walk. The fourth and fifth groups are Mahlae - M and Ngogo communities. Most of the chimp tracking excursions begin at 8 a.m. or at 2 p.m., though the timing can be adjusted where possible when combining other activities around Kibale Park on that particular day. The last group is located in the northern Sebitole region which is dedicated for research.

Before starting out, you will attend a short orientation session where you will learn about the do’s and don’ts of your visit, and other rules to follow when in the company of the chimpanzees. Each trip takes 2 to 3 hours of walking along easy to moderate forest trails — more like a nature walk than a high intensity hike. The experienced tracker leading the way will locate the family so you can reach them in less time. Once you find the family, you will be allowed to spend 60 minutes in their company, observing the chimps as they forage for food, hunt, groom one another, mating, nap in the trees, or even descend to the ground for introspect.

Each group of visitors consists of 6 to 8 members. To join a group, you must obtain a permit prior to arrival from the park authorities. And since only 24 permits are issued each day in Kibale National Park, be sure to inform your AfricanMecca Safaris consultant of your wish to go chimpanzee trekking at the time of booking your adventure safari holiday in Uganda

2. Kibale Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) Safari

Key Takeaways

• Participating in the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) where research rangers study the primates and familiarize them with the presence of humans.
• Each excursion starts at 6 a.m. and lasts up to 7 p.m. Only 6 visitors allowed to join the CHEX trek on a given day, so acquiring permits months prior to arrival is highly recommended due to high demand
• Opportunity to study chimps as they forage for food and caring for their young

While watching the chimpanzees go about their regular activities in Kibale National Park is an amazing experience, you can sign up for an even more interesting excursion – participating in the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, called CHEX by the locals. While the ordinary trekking trip in Kibale can be covered in 2 to 3 hours, depending on the current location of the primates in the Kanyanchu region, CHEX starts at 6 a.m. and gives you a closer look at a typical day in the life of a chimpanzee. You will likely come upon the chimps coming down from the temporary nests they make for the night.

Once spotted, you can watch them foraging for food, mating, nursing their young, or patrolling the perimeters of their territory in Kibale National Park. On rare occasions, travelers have had the good fortune to see them at closer range as they are not fully habituated, when they descend to the forest floor. Your excursion will end with a return back to the park base by 7 p.m. This is to ensure chimps get their privacy when they build new nests in the trees and settle in for the night. Only 6 guests are allowed to participate in the habituation experience each day.

You’ll want to keep in mind that, as a rule, chimpanzees are shy creatures and will take off if they see humans approaching. However, CHEX allows for a more intimate view of how scientists study the families in an unobtrusive, non-threatening way, so that the chimps accept human visitors as part of the environment of Kibale National Park. You will be delighted to see how the animals continue with their activities, scarcely paying any attention to you. Most Kibale accommodations provide a packed lunch for you to bring along for the day, and you can spend your time asking the researchers questions and observing every aspect of the primates behavior, which is often amazingly similar to humans.

Since only a fixed number of permits are issued each day for CHEX, it’s best to discuss your plans with the AfricanMecca tour operator well in advance. Please note that CHEX experience is high intensity, and requires trekking for many hours of following the chimpanzees over long distances. There is always a rare possibility of not finding the semi-habituated chimps for the day, and you may then be redirected to observe the habituated chimpanzees of the Kanyanchu group.

3. Birdwatching Safaris In Kibale

Key Takeaways

• Birdwatching excursions around some of the prime locations in the reserve. Possible sightings of various species during chimpanzee-trekking safari in the Kanyanchu locale
• Knowledgeable guides to accompany visitors and talk about bird habitats, breeding, feeding and nesting habits
• Opportunity to view breeding and migratory birds

Kibale National Park is a treasured destination in Uganda for forest birdwatching aficionados, and it’s not uncommon for travelers to plan trips with the sole intention of racking up sightings of many of the incredible 375 species of avian life that thrive here. You are likely to spot several types of birds on your chimpanzee-trekking excursions in the Kanyanchu area, which is also well-known as a prime birding locale. You can also sign up for one of the dedicated bird-watching excursions in Kanyanchu, which begins at 7 a.m. every day. The Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary is another premier locale just outside the boundaries of the park and boasts a concentration of 138 kinds of birds including the shoebill.

The expert Uganda birding guide accompanying you will help you spot the various species and explain in detail their favored habitats and nesting habits. There are several viewing platforms and boardwalks in the forest that make spotting birds a lot easier. Should you choose to visit Kibale National Park (best time) from March to May and September to November, you may come across various breeding birds in their plumage with plenty of food available. Migratory birds arrive south around November to April to escape the cold winters of the northern hemisphere, and are best seen in the open areas rather than woodland areas of Kibale.

As you travel along the forest trails, look for species such as the superb sunbird, yellow-billed barbet, black-and-white shrike-flycatcher, white-spotted flufftail, hairy-breasted barbet, black bishop, Grey-winged Robin-chat, brown-throated wattle-eye, black-crowned waxbill, papyrus gonolek, white-tailed ant-thrush and many more.

Below is a list of some of the birds of Kibale National Park

Nahan's Partridge Forest Francolin Afep Pigeon White-naped Pigeon Fiery-necked Nightjar Sabine's Spinetail Cassin's Spinetail Scarce Swift Dusky Long-tailed Olive Long-tailed White-spotted Flufftail Ruwenzori Turaco Red-chested Owlet Cassin's Hawk-eagle Mountain Buzzard Bar-tailed Trogon Congo Pied Grey-cheeked Hornbill Brown-cheeked Hornbill Forest Scimitarbill Black Bee-eater Blue-throated Roller Eastern Yellow-billed Yellow-spotted Barbet Speckled Tinkerbird Western Green Yellow-throated Tinkerbird Hairy-breasted Barbet Cassin's Honeybird Willcocks's Honeyguide Buff-spotted Woodpecker Brown-eared Woodpecker Fine-banded Woodpecker Yellow-crested Woodpecker Grey Parrot Green-breasted Pitta Western Black-headed Mountain Oriole Petit's Cuckooshrike African Shrike-flycatcher Jameson's Wattle-eye Chestnut Wattle-eye Bocage's Bush-shrike Papyrus Gonolek Terpsiphone rufiventer White-tailed Crested-flycatcher White-bellied Crested-flycatcher Dusky Tit Western Nicator Green Crombec White-browed Crombec Ruwenzori Apalis Masked Apalis Buff-throated Apalis Tawny-breasted Camaroptera Chubb's Cisticola White-winged Swamp-warbler Eastern Mountain Red-tailed Bristlebill Honeyguide Greenbul

Joyful Greenbul Grey Greenbul Plain Greenbul Red-tailed Greenbul Toro Olive White-throated Greenbul Uganda Woodland-warbler Red-faced Woodland-warbler Green Hylia Ruwenzori Hill-babbler Brown Illadopsis Scaly-breasted Illadopsis Chestnut-winged Starling Waller's Starling Sharpe's Starling Stuhlmann's Starling Narrow-tailed Starling Purple-headed Starling White-tailed Ant-thrush Rufous Flycatcher-thrush Oberländer's Ground-thrush Black-eared Ground-thrush Fire-crested Alethe Cassin's Flycatcher Sooty Flycatcher Dusky-blue Flycatcher Grey-throated Tit-flycatcher White-eyed Slaty-flycatcher Blue-shouldered Robin-chat Yellow-breasted Forest-robin Equatorial Akalat Lowland Akalat Grey-headed Sunbird Grey-chinned Sunbird Blue-throated Brown Blue-headed Sunbird Green-throated Sunbird Purple-breasted Sunbird Bronze Sunbird Tiny Sunbird Northern Double-collared Red-chested Sunbird Superb Sunbird Baglafecht Weaver Black-billed Weaver Northern Brown-throated Yellow-mantled Weaver Brown-capped Weaver Vieillot's Black Red-headed Malimbe Red-bellied Malimbe Red-faced Crimsonwing Dusky Crimsonwing Yellow-bellied Waxbill White-collared Oliveback White-breasted Nigrita Pale-fronted Nigrita Woodhouse's Antpecker Yellow-browed Citril

4. Exploring Spectacular Crater Lakes Of Kibale & Top Of The World

Key Takeaways

• Exploring the crater lakes of the Albertine Rift Valley left behind by centuries-old extinct volcanoes
• Hiking trips to the rims of the lakes including “Top of the World” for fabulous views of the surrounding landscape and viewing birds and small animals. Touring various other lakes for fishing and canoeing
• Excursions starting in the early morning and lasting for three hours, visitors advised bringing a packed lunch

Owing to the fact that Kibale National Park is within the Albertine Rift Valley, there are several crater lakes within and around its conservation areas that mesmerize tour visitors with their lush green vegetation and natural beauty. You can sign up for an African hiking trip up the hills that cradle the lakes and revel in the spellbinding views from the top. Some of the lakes have safari holiday accommodations built on their crater rim boundaries, which you can choose to book for your stay. The lakeside areas are magnets for a wide range of birds and other wildlife that you may have the chance to spot on your nature walks or cycling excursions.

The most famous lake in the west of Kibale National Park is Lake Nyinambuga, which has been featured on the Uganda 20,000 currency note. Lake Nkuruba has perhaps the most picturesque vistas and is known by visitors as a great place to spot red colobus and black and white colobus monkeys. While canoeing and fishing are interesting activities to do at the lakes, swimming isn’t encouraged here because of hazards such as bilharzia. You’ll also want to avoid encroaching on the local hippos’ territory in Lake Nyabikere, also known as the Lake of Frogs. Other craters you could consider exploring are Lake Nyinabulitwa, Lake Nkuruba, and Lake Nyamirima. For a walk through the famous Arabica coffee plantations, you can travel to Lake Kasenda.

Most crater hikes in Kibale begin early in the morning, so you can scale the slopes while the weather remains relatively cool. On your hiking tour of the “Top of the World” excursion, we recommend that you bring along a packed lunch, along with adequate bottled water or other beverages to remain hydrated. Wear tough hiking boots and clothing that covers you completely. Also, bring a light rain jacket and a walking stick to help you scale the slopes. A typical crater lake excursion takes about three hours to complete, and the AfricanMecca assigned guide accompanying you will regale you with tales of the exciting history of Kibale’s crater lakes as you enjoy sighting many species of the local flora and fauna.

5. Kibale Evening Forest Walks

Key Takeaways

• Night walking excursions to spot nocturnal creatures that become active at night. Unique experiences of the forest including the sights and smells of the twilight zone
• Forest walks starting at 7:30 p.m. from the park headquarters after dinner
• Each trek lasting for 1.5 to 2 hours is conducted in the company of an expert forest guide

Exploring Kibale National Park at night introduces you to a whole range of fascinating creatures that become active only in the dark. Sign up for this unique excursion and you will meet nocturnal animals like the potto, mongoose, bushbaby, and tree hyrax. Also, look for the odd civet or serval cat hunting for a meal.

A typical night forest walk begins at 7:30 p.m., right after dinner, from the park headquarters, where you will receive a short orientation talk given by the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. The trek continues for 1.5 - 2 hours, and you will be carrying high-powered torches (flashlights) to hike tour the forest trails in the company of an expert guide. It is advisable to bring at least a liter of water in your backpack and come dressed in long pants with the hems or gaiters tucked into the tops of sturdy boots. You may want to wear a long-sleeved shirt and insect repellent to prevent bites. Having a lightweight rain jacket along in case of a sudden shower is also recommended.

The consultants at AfricanMecca Safaris recommend this adventure vacation activity (reasons to visit Uganda) because experiencing the African jungle at night has a whole different feel. It is not for the faint hearted! You’ll hear the chirping of crickets and the high-pitched shriek of a hyrax, mingled with the chatter of chimps. Breathe in the scents of the forest at night and catch sight of a reptile in a tree. All of these sensations envelop you and provide a glimpse of a unique facet of Kibale National Park – one that remains hidden in the daylight.

6. Cultural & Community Tours Near Kibale Park

Key Takeaways

• Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED) organized to conserve the culture and livelihood of communities displaced by the park’s official demarcation. Winner of the esteemed UNDP Equator Initiative Award assisting people with education, health, and sanitation
• Visitors welcomed to interact with the Bakiga and Batoro communities to learn about their traditional way of life.
• Visits to the village church, school, and village medicine man. Engaging in the folklore of the people who relate tales of their history and travels to their present-day home

The authorities in Kibale National Park recognize the need to support the communities that lost their homes and livelihood because of the demarcation of the park’s boundaries. Accordingly, they have initiated the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED), an organization dedicated to conserving the biodiversity of the inhabitants of the park by providing opportunities for jobs through eco-tourism. The organization has earned the renowned UNDP Equator Initiative Award and now assists with education, health and public sanitation, and other important services that benefit the local population and thereby discourage illegal hunting in the forest reserve.

Book a cultural tour on your Uganda safari where you can visit the local village to develop an understanding and appreciation of the lifestyle of the Batoro people. Your excursion will include a visit to the village church, elementary school, and the village medicine man. Learn about the activities traditionally undertaken by women, as well as their rites and ceremonies. You will also hear tales such as “The Village of Two Tribes,” which talk about the travels of the migrating Bakiga clan and their assimilation with the native Batoro in the 1950s. Members of KAFRED may also take you on a nature walk through the Magombe swamplands of Kibale’s conservation wilderness to view the resident fauna.

7. Touring Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary For Primates & Birds

Key Takeaways

• Visits to the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary located in the Magombe Swamp
• Sightings of 8 species of primates and 138 species of gorgeous birdlife
• Earnings from tourism used for the upliftment of the community and building of infrastructure.

Although the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary is not actually within the boundaries of Kibale National Park, you can add a day trip to explore it to your safari vacation itinerary for Uganda. Located in the Magombe Swamp area, this scenic wilderness is famous for its 138 species of birds, along with various mammals including eight primate species like the grey-cheeked mangabey, L’Hoest’s monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey, blue monkey, vervet monkey, red-tailed monkey, red colobus monkey, and olive baboon. The mongoose, bushbuck, bush pig, otter, and elusive sitatunga antelope can also be sighted here. Among the birds, look out for the rare grand blue turaco and shoebill stork.

The Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary takes its name from the Rutooro word kugody, which means “to walk wearily,” and is managed by the local Kibale Association For Rural And Environmental Development (KAFRED). The local communities linked to KAFRED benefit from tourism activity in Kibale National Park, and the earnings from safari guests go toward the building of roads, schools, bridges, and to pay the wages of teachers. The farmers also earn an income from selling their produce to the lodges and camps set up around reserve, and from receiving visitors in their African-style homes to introduce them to the typical Batoro lifestyle.

Various other occupations have also emerged among the local communities, mainly centering on visitor presence in the region. Since they’re experts on the flora and fauna of Kibale, many of the tribe’s members now work as guides, an employment activity that has led to the cessation of poaching within the boundaries of the park and sanctuary. Tourism now supports the higher education of the children of the villages. Meanwhile, the 40-member Bigodi Women Group creates handicrafts using sustainable raw materials from the wetlands. These goods are sold locally and exported to various global locations.