KIBALE NATIONAL PARK

Kibale National Park is an extensive National Park, with the greatest variety and concentration of primates (Chimpanzee) found anywhere in East Africa as well as the threatened Red Colobus Monkey and the Rare L’Hoesti monkey. The rainforest also has over 325 species of Birds including the African Pitta,  Joyful Greenbul, Grey-throated Flycatcher, White, Uganda Woodland Warbler, Chestnut-winged Starling, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, -bellied Crested Flycatcher, over 250 species of Trees, as well as reptiles, Amphibians and Butterflies making this forest ideal for primate watching safaris to Uganda.

ACTIVITIES
Chimpanzee excursion: Chimpanzee tracking excursion is the high-light of visiting Kibale National Park. Chimp sighting are not guaranteed on these walks but the odds encountering them have improved greatly in recent years and stand at over 90% in 2006. During the activity, you can expect to see at least two or three other types of primates most probably the grey-cheeked mangabey and red-tailed monkey.

Primate walk: The walk that lasts for 2-4 hours highlights a variety of different animals and plant species within the forest.  This most popular walk, starts from Kanyankyu River Camp at 8:00 am or 3:00pm.

Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary: is known for a wide range of biodiversity including species of primates such as white colobus monkey and red colobus monkeys, vervet monkey, I’hoest monkey, black and grey-checked mangabey, blue monkey red tailed monkey and baboon. 138 bird species have so far been identified; one of the main bird species found in the sanctuary is the great bleu turacco. Other mammals include the mongoose, bush bucks, bush pigs, sitatunga and otters. All money raised from the trail is used to in community development in Bigodi-It has so far funded the creation of a small local library in as well as construction of a secondary school in the village.

Long Distance guided walk: A 64Km guided walk is available for adventurous visitors. This takes you through different habitants and local communities over a period of 2-6 days, camping at the community camp grounds.

Children’s Activities: This especially caters for children under the age 12 years who are not allowed to view the Chimps. Children are supervised, educated and entertained by the rangers as visitors enjoy their chimpanzee experience. Children access the forest and learn about the ecosystem and its inhabitants through interesting walks games and creative activities such as pond-dipping, paper-making, cyanotype, photography and batik making.

Forest Hike: This is a seasonal 12 Kms hike that is restricted to the dry season (mid-November to Feb and June to September). It highlights the diverse habitats of the park including tropical rainforest, riverine forest, swamp and grassland. Visitors will have a chance to see a variety of bird and monkeys and sometimes duikers and bush pigs.

o National Park situated in Mbarara district is about 3.5 hours drive from Kampala. The park contains an extensive area of wetland which is a habitat for a variety of birds including the rare shoebill stork The park harbors several species of mammals including Zebras, impalas, elands, topi and buffaloes., its sculptured landscape with rolling grassy hills and idyllic lakeshores.

Activities include:

• Game Drives: The Park has a diverse species of animals. These can be seen through a game drive on a number of tourist tracks. Here you can view warthogs, waterbucks, zebras, Impala and topis.

• Boat Trips: Lake Mburo, rich with a diversity of animal and plant species, is located within the park. You can view the hippopotami and birds like pelicans, black crake, heron, cormorant and fish eagle but you may also see the rare shoebill stork during a boat ride, which takes 2 hours or more.

• Nature Trail: The nature trail offers the visitor a chance to admire nature insight as visitors have the opportunity to walk in the circuit at their own pace in company of an armed guide.

• Fishing: Visitors can enjoy sport fishing on Lake Mburo, Which has about 6 species of fish, the common one being tilapia (oreochromis leucostictus). Visitors should however, carry their own fishing gear for the trip.

• Salt Lick: Visitors can also be rewarded by a walk to the nearby salt lick. There is a strategically located wooded plat-form (observation point) which offers a chance to see at least four (4) different species of animals at any one time while they lick the salty soil.

• Rubanga Forest: This forest offers a variety of habitats, with over 40 species of birds recorded in Rubanga, 5 of which are forest "specialists". Some of the common species are the harrier hawk, gree pigeon, narina trogn, Grey-backed cameroptera and double-toothed barbet. Some common trees are markhamia platycalyx, Spain, erythriana and acacia.

Accommodation in Kibale Chimpanzee Nattional Park