The Kibale National Park in Southwest Uganda is populated by miles of evergreen rainforest and has the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest in East Africa. Kibale’s forest joins with the Queen Elizabeth National Park, which, in total, creates over one hundred miles of a ‘wildlife corridor’. This corridor is home to many primates, most notably its twelve species of chimpanzees, including the Ugandan Red Colobus. Uganda is known to have a total of about 4,950 chimpanzees, and Kibale happens to be home to 1,500 of them.
Activities in Kibale National Park
Chimpanzee Trekking
- Considered to be the best spot for chimpanzee trekking, the park guarantees some of the best views of the chimpanzees. Similar to gorilla trekking, you are allowed an hour in the presence of the chimpanzees. In the past, the chances of meeting them were limited to 20,% but with the process of chimpanzee habituation, those chances have risen to 99%.
- What is chimpanzee habituation? This is the process in which park rangers track the chimpanzees and spend time with them so as to familiarize them with humans. Are visitors allowed to habituate with them? Yes. One advantage of chimpanzee trekking compared to that of gorillas isthat you are allowed to extend your one hour with the primates when you hold a habituation permit, which is more expensive than a trekking permit. With a habituation permit, you can spend up to 6 hours with the chimpanzees.
Walking Safaris
- There are two walking safaris offered: the Kibale Forest walk trail and the Bigodi Swamp walk. Kibale forest trail has different types of terrains like grasslands, tropical jungle, swamplands and savannah riverine forestation. You get a chance of meeting different primate species, birds, and mammals, most commonly forest elephants. The walk is 12 kilometers long and takes about 6 hours.
- Second is the Bigodi swamp walk. Bigodi, being a jungle swamp, is one of the key areas visited when tourists visit the park. Its wetland sanctuary has a lot to offer, which includes mammals, birds, and about 5 different primate species. The swamp is located 6 kilometers from the Kibale National Park head office, and the jungle swamp is commonly referred to as the birders’ paradise. The walk takes about 2 – 3 hours and is usually done after the chimpanzee trekking.
Batooro Culture
- Whilst it may be a protected area, the Batooro and Bakiga tribes use the National Park’s natural resources to sustain a living, including food and fuel. Due to its rich soil, crops are ideally suited to grow here. The tourist revenue also helps create jobs for those who call Kibale home.
- Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru – These are rocks that have a strong cultural attachment to the Batoro tribe people. The place is characterized by the rocks that are situated in a cave and by captivating waterfalls. The site is located about 5 km from Fort Portal town.
