GETTING TO KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Getting to Kibale Forest National Park : Getting to Kibale Forest National Park is usually by road transport either from Kampala/ Entebbe or from other various destinations. Kibale forest national park known as the primate wonder of the world thrills in western part of Uganda near fortpotal city and it covers 795 Square Kilometers of land at an elevation of 1100M to 1600M which is the best altitude that favor different wildlife species that thrill in the park. Kibale Forest National Park is one of the most visited destination especially by primate lovers since it harbors over 13 primate species with Chimpanzees being the major primate of the park.
Getting to Kibale forest national park from Kampala the capital city of Uganda or Entebbe international airport takes about 5-6 hours road drive along Kampala- Mubende- fortpotal road which is about 348Kilometers after which from Fortpotal city it requires more 26 Kilometers to get to the park headquarters in Kanyanchu which is approximately 30 minutes’ drive.
Kibale forest national park can as well be accessed from kasese town which takes about 2 hours’ drive to cover approximately 98 Kilometers and from Kamwenge it takes about 45 Minutes drives.
However, Kibale forest national park can as well be accessed from other various parks including Semliki national park a home to the sempaya hot springs which is almost an hour and a half drive to get to Kibale forest national park, Queen Elizabeth national park a home to the tree climbing lions and the kazinga channel. Getting to Kibale from Queen Elizabeth national park takes about 3 hours’ drive and also the park can be accessed from Rwenzori mountains national park.
All safaris in Kibale forest national park start from the park headquarters at Kanyanchu wildlife center thus while estimating the driving distance it has to be in relation to the park headquarters.
What to see in Kibale forest national park
As mentioned earlier, Kibale forest national park is a home to over 13 species of primates including Chimpanzees, Olive baboons, Red Colobus monkeys, Blue monkeys, Grey cheeked Mangabey, Black and White Colobus monkey, Red tailed monkey, Patas monkey, Bush babies, Pottos and many more.
However, the major primate of the park is the Chimpanzee and the park is the best destination for Chimpanzee trekking safari not only in Uganda but across East Africa region. A permit to trek chimpanzees in Kibale forest national park costs $200 for Foreign Non Residents, $150 for Foreign Residents and Ugandan shillings 150,00 East Africa community member states. This allows only 1 hour with chimpanzees in their habitat and therefore those who need more time with the chimpanzees can go for chimpanzee habituation experience at $250 per person that allows 4 hours with Chimpanzees.
The forest isn’t only a home to 13 primates but as well has some mammals seen within the forest some are visitors from Queen Elizabeth national park while the rest are natives of the park. Some of these animals include Elephants, Buffaloes, antelopes, forts hogs, warthogs and many more.
Kibale forest national park is as well a home to over 375 bird species including forest birds, Migratory birds, water birds, and endemic species among others. Some of these bird species include yellow rumped tinker bird, green breasted pitta, Nahan’s francolin, Masked Apalis, Cassin’s spine tail, blue-headed bee-eater, Great blue turaco, Slender-billed weaver, Dusky crimson wing, Masked Apalis, brown chested Alethe and many more. These birds can be seen with in the forest and in Bigodi wetland sanctuary.
Best Time to Visit Kibale forest national park
Well, after knowing how to get there and what to see in Kibale forest national park, the next thing to think off is the best time to visit Kibale forest national park. In Uganda, any park can be visited at any given period of time but always dry season is considered perfect for Chimpanzee trekking while rainy season is considered best for birding in order to have a glance at the migratory birds from Europe and other countries.
“Planning your next Uganda safari, contact us to organize for you and your loved ones a Uganda safari to Kibale forest national park and any other destination in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.”
