What to do in Kibale National Park: The park is found in western Uganda in Kamwenge district near Fort portal town, the park protects moist evergreen rain forest, and it is one of the remaining regions containing both montane forest and woodland forest on an area of 776 sq. km. Kibale national park was established in 1993 and is a home of 13 species of primates which over 15000 chimpanzees. Other primates in Kibale National Park include red colobus monkeys, bush babies, olive baboons, Uganda mangabey, L’hoest’s monkey, black and white colobus, and blue monkey among others.

Kibale National Park is a home of over 70 mammals such as red and blue duikers, African buffalo, leopards, golden cats, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, warthogs among others and there are chances of seeing lions that move from Queen Elizabeth National Park. The following are things to do in Kibale National Park.

Chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale Forest National Park:

Kibale national park offers the most exciting chimpanzee habituation in Uganda and East Africa it is only done here and in Tanzania as Kibale National Park is ranked the best and this activity is done twice a year. Chimpanzee habituation is done either half-day or full-day offering you ample time to stay in presence of these primates as you watch them breastfeed, hunt, patrol, build nests, feed, copulate and build new nests. This activity begins early morning at 6:30 am and it allows you to feed the chimpanzees to make them harmless to human beings.

To participate in chimpanzee habituation you must be having a permit from the Uganda wildlife authority and you must not be below 15 years of age. Only a group of 6 people including researchers and a guide are allowed to do this activity. The chimpanzee habituation permit for the full day costs USD 250 for foreign nonresident and foreign residents while east African community members pay 150,000 UGX for half-day foreign nonresidents and foreign residents pay USD 100 whereas east African members pay 75000 UGX

Chimpanzee tracking safaris in Kibale National Park:

This is the reason why most visitors come to Kibale National Park. The park has gotten over 1500 chimpanzees making it the national park with the biggest chimpanzees in Uganda. This activity takes you through the deep thick forests of Kibale National Park using different trails. Chimpanzee tracking is done in two shifts with the morning shift starting at 6:00 am and the evening shift starting at 4:00 pm.

The early morning shift gives you a chance to see chimpanzees leave their nests, patrol, hunt, breastfeed, and copulate. But as you track chimpanzees you also spot animals like bush babies, central African monkey, black and white colobus monkey, blue monkey, L’hoests’s monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, and many birds i.e. Purple breasted sunbird, black-capped Apalis, little green bull to mention but a few. The chimpanzee tracking permits in Uganda for USD 1500 foreign nonresidents, USD 100 for foreign residents, and 100,000 UGX for East African citizens.

Birding and butterfly watching safaris in Kibale forest National Park:

Kibale National Park is among the best parks that offer perfect birding in Uganda. The part is an habitant of 375 bird species that live in the thick forests. Birds in Kibale National Park include brown crested Alethe, African jacana, grey crowned crane, brown Illadopsis, black-eared ground thrush, yellow spotted nectar, black bishop, purple sunbird, black-capped Apalis, white-naped pigeon among others. Kibale national park is also blessed with over 250 butterflies.

Cultural encounters in Kibale forest National Park:

Cultural encounters in Kibale National Park take you on a visit to local communities that’s the Batooro and Bakiga which live on the outskirts of the park. When you visit these groups of people you get to see traditional art pieces, local way of family, houses built using local materials, enjoy local dance and drama as you interact with leaders and they share interesting stories. The Batoro and Bakiga are grouped in an association called rural environment development and the money they get from visitors is used to benefit local people.

Forest/ nature walk safaris to Kibale Forest National Park:

Forest/ nature walks in Kibale National Park take place through the thick green forests, this activity can take you up to 6 hours walking a distance of 6km and hiking on trial running through the savannah, riverine forest, tropical forest and swamps. Forest/ nature walks begin from Kanynchu visitor’s center and in this walk, you can get to see chimpanzees, olive baboons, bushbucks, antelopes, elephants, and some colorful birds.