WILDLIFE IN KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Wildlife in Kibale Forest National Park : Kibale forest national park is one of the best and most visited destination in Uganda situated in western part of Uganda. The park thrills with lots of wildlife species including primates, mammals, birds, butterflies and many more.
Kibale national park is situated in Kabalore district covering a land area of about 795 Square Kilometers standing at an elevation of about 1100M to 1590M high above the sea level best for its thrilling vegetation cover of swamps, forest, shrubs and grassland. The nearest City to Kibale forest national park is Fortpotal which is yet a tourism city in Uganda the pearl of Africa.
Below are the wildlife species that thrill in Kibale forest national park
Primates in Kibale forest national park
Kibale Forest National Park is famous as a home to over 13 primate species thus primate viewing while on a Visit to kibale forest national park is mandatory with the famous activity enjoyed in this park being Chimpanzee trekking and Chimpanzee habituation since Chimpanzees are the major wildlife species that inhabit Kibale forest and as well this park harbors the highest population of these primates with over 1500 individuals dwelling within Kibale forest national park.
Other primates include Olive baboons, Red tailed monkey, Black and White Colobus monkeys, Blue monkeys, Vervet monkey, Dent’s Mona Monkey, Grey cheeked Mangabey, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Pottos, Bush babies, Uganda Mangabey monkey and Patas monkeys.
Most of these primates are seen during the chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park since it’s the major tourist activity enjoyed by several travelers on a Uganda safari. The park offers both morning and evening chimpanzee trekking safaris that enable tourists to get a closer view of Chimpanzees in their natural habitats.
Mammals in Kibale forest national park
Apart from being a home to 13 primate species, Kibale forest national park is as well as home to over 70 species of mammals some of which dwell in the park and others visit the park from the neighboring Queen Elizabeth national park. Some of the mammals spotted in this park include; Elephants, Buffaloes, Forest hogs, warthogs, Bush pigs, Duikers, golden cats and many more.
Keeping your eyes wide open may enable you to spot reptiles, amphibians, Beautiful butterflies and many more. These animals can easily be seen during the Chimpanzee trekking adventure, during guided walks, birding and many more since the park doesn’t support game drives due to its nature being a forested park.
Birdlife in Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest national park is one of the birder’s paradise in Uganda with over 375 bird species including the 4 bird species that are endemic to only Kibale forest national park including Nahan’s francolin, Cassin’s spine tail, Masked Apalis and blue-headed bee-eater.
Other notable bird species in Kibale forest national park include; Great blue turaco, Pin-tailed whydah, Abyssinian ground thrush, Slender-billed weaver, African pied wagtail, African pitta, Black-eared ground thrush, Brown Illadopsis, Blue-breasted kingfisher, Dusky crimson wing, Grey parrot, Brown-chested Alethe, Yellow-ramped tinker bird, Crowned eagle, Red-chested owlet, Masked Apalis, Western Nicator, Green-breasted pitta and many more.
The best spot for bird watching in Kibale forest national park is with in Bigodi wetland sanctuary, in Kanyanchu near park headquarters and within the forest.
When is the best time for Wildlife viewing in Kibale National Park Uganda?
There is no guaranteed time for wildlife viewing adventures in Kibale Forest national park since the park can be accessed all year round for different park activities. However, most people visiting Kibale forest national park always prefer dry months when they trails in the forest are dry and easy to navigate through while following up the Chimpanzees on either Chimpanzee trekking or Chimpanzee habituation experience.
On the other hand, birders enjoy the safari to Kibale forest national park during the rainy season where there is an opportunity to spot lots of bird species including the migratory birds.
Whichever season one chooses to Visit Kibale Forest national park, there’s always a lot to see and do as you spend an hour with the great apes in their habitats, you trail through the bigodi wetland, and many more.
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