What to do in Kibale Forest National Park?
What to do in Kibale Forest National Park? The park is home to about 13 species of primates making it a primate capital in Africa.
Chimpanzee tracking safaris
Most of the visitors to Kibale forest national park have gone there because of the presence of well-habituated chimpanzees. The activity of chimpanzee tracking is popular in Kibale forest National Park and has been done in this park for the last 30 years. Chimpanzee tracking involves tourists accompanied by the guide walks via the forest to look for the habituated chimpanzee group. There are over 1400 habituated chimpanzee individuals that can be seen in Kibale forests and this makes the chances of seeing chimpanzees high.
At Kibale Forest National Park, there are two sessions of chimpanzee tracking; the one starting very early at 8 am and another one starting at 2 pm. So, there is an option for the visitors whether to track in the morning or afternoon. The time taken during chimpanzee tracking is not known because it highly depends on the movements of the chimpanzee family that you are tracking. However, once you meet the family that is allocated to you, you will have a maximum of 1 hour to stay with the family and you will be free to take as many photos as you would want, ask as many questions as you would like to know about chimpanzees. You need to be physically fit as you may walk for a long distance for this activity.
Chimpanzee habituation safari
This activity, makes visitors spend much time with the chimpanzees as compared to when a visitor is involved in Chimpanzee tracking. The activity of chimpanzee habituation is done on less terrain landscape and the fact that the forest is less dense then, the visitors will be able to see how chimpanzees jump into trees as the researchers are training them how to interact with human beings. During chimpanzee habituation, the visitor can spend a maximum of four hours while engaging in the chimpanzee habituation process in Kibale Forest National Park. Kanyanchu chimpanzee group has been well habituated and is available for tourism.
Bird watching safaris
Kibale National Park is one of the best birding destination in Uganda with 370 bird species recorded. 6 species are endemic to Albertine Rift areas. Most of the birding in the park is done at Kanyanchu and outside the park in Biogodi wetland. The major bird species include the papyrus Ganolek, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Yellow-throated Nicator, Red-headed Malimbe, black bee-eaters among others.
Cultural safari tours
Visitors visiting Kibale national park will get a chance to participate in cultural tours of the villages near the national park. The cultural safaris tours are usually done by tourists visiting Bigodi community village where tourists can learn the lifestyle of the local people, visiting their plantation farms especially vanilla, crater lakes around the Rwenzori Mountains as well as tasting on the local people prepared cuisines. Batoro are the people dominating the park and they have a rich culture with their king Omukama. You can as well as go to Fortportal and visit the king’s palace.
Bigodi wetland sanctuary
This wetlandis located outside the Kibale National Park. It offers a great opportunity for the tourists to enjoy different attractions and activities most importantly the birders. The wetland harbors over 138 species of birds such as the great blue turaco, the hornbills among others. You can spot mammals such as forest elephants, mongoose, bushbucks, and others. Vervet monkeys can also be spotted here. Tourists also can enjoy the night walks to spot some of the nocturnal animals such as bushbabies. This is a good destination in addition to Kibale forest National Park.
Interesting activities for children
Kibale National park is a primate park, children below 13 years aren’t allowed to track chimpanzees or go habituation. However, children can engage in several activities as their parents go for chimpanzee tracking. These activities include photography, pond dipping, batik making, and moving around the forest.
The nocturnal walk
Nocturnal walks in Kibale forest National park take place in the night. They start at around 7:30 pm, lasting for two and a half hours as you enjoy the night moments. You are briefed at the headquarters by a guide and then after you follow designated trails into the forest. A nocturnal walk is an interesting and rewarding activity that allows tourists see wildlife that is not easily seen during day.
Creatures like bush babies, cricket, nightjar, tree hyrax, and serval are sighted during night time. Nocturnal walks enable visitors get a chance to spot bush babies, Patos as well as other wildlife. Come and enjoy the night walks in Kibale Forest National Park.