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Kibale National Park -The Primate destination Uganda safaris

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Kibale National Park- The Primate Destination Uganda Safaris” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Signika%3A300%2Cregular%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_single_image image=”4846″ img_size=”1000*500″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Dubbed the “primate capital of the world” and the “home of chimpanzees”, Kibale National park in western Uganda is indeed a spectacular haven due to its rich diversity of primates boasting over 13 species of primates including the chimpanzees. Located in Kabarole district in western Uganda, it takes 5-6 hours from Kampala via Mubende and FortPortal to reach the park which was gazetted in 1932 after which the urge to protect a previously logged forest reserve prompted the authorities to officially establish it as a National park in 1993. The park occupies an estimated 766 square kilometers in size enclosing mainly moist ever green
forests with a distinct array of landsacpes and creating a a wildlife corridor of 180km with Queen Elizabeth National park thus forming a continuous forest. The park is one of best destinations for a primate safari in Africa and is popular for its habituated
chimpanzees as well as other 12 species of primates. This makes Kibale National park home to the highest concentration of primates in Africa with species like the chimpanzees, red colobus endangered monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys(very rare and vulnerable), black & white colobus, blue monkeys etc. The park also boasts other terrestrial mammals like the bushbucks, bushpigs, giant forest hogs, common warthogs, African buffalos, red and blue duikers. Leopards and lions also visit the park on some occasions. Kibale National park also boasts birding with over 325 bird species and approximately over 229 tree species found within the tropical forests of the park.

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Two among the most prominent tribes in Uganda i.e the Batooro and Bakiga live around the park utilizing the park for food, fuel and other valuable resources. The Bakiga are immigrants in the area from the south western parts of the country well as the Batooro are indigenous in the area thus the most dominant. These people believe that the soils around the park are very fertile for farming
thus an increase in the population density in recent years around Kibale National park. 
The locals usually cuts trees in the forest for fuel and firewood. This has however asserted pressure on the wildlife habitat of the park and a threat to its diversity.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Main Activities in Kibale National Park” google_fonts=”font_family:Signika%3A300%2Cregular%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”1. Chimpanzee tracking” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Signika%3A300%2Cregular%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4688″ img_size=”400*275″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

The primate lover’s haven is a best known for providing the best chimpanzee tracking experience in the whole of East Africa .The habituated chimpanzees in the park are divided into three groups which are chimpanzee trekking, research and chimpanzee habituation experience. The tracking lasts between 3 to 5 hours and is done twice a day that is in the early morning and afternoon though it is highly recommended to do it in the morning hours.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”2. Forest Walk/ Nature Walk/ Hiking” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Signika%3A300%2Cregular%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

The forest walk begins at Sebitoli area where trained guides take you through the guidelines and rules to follow while on hiking or nature walk. This forest walk is 12 km adventurous trek which takes approximately 6 hours seeing primates, mammals such as bush bucks, elephants and antelopes, birds, interacting with the local people at areas of Nyakalongo, Kikoni and Nyaibanda etc. This nature walk can only be done during the dry season in the months of June through October and December through February. The nature walk also involves night walks guided by well-trained guides and this is when you can see many nocturnal animals like bush babies and some birds which are only active at night like nighthawks, potto, crickets etc.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”3. Birding” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Signika%3A300%2Cregular%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

The park is also an incredible destination for any keen birder since it boasts over 325 bird species such as western tinker, African pittas, green breasted pittas, olive long tailed cuckoo, grey parrot, the ground thrush and many others.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”4. Bigodi Swamp Walk” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Signika%3A300%2Cregular%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

The Bigodi wetlands/swamp occupies 4 square kilometers and is one of the best and fascinating places for bird watching in East Africa attracting a variety of tourists annually. The Swamp is located within the park and is a MUST visit while on safari in Kibale National park boasting over 200 bird species including the crested crane which is a bird of national signifance to Uganda. The Swamp is also a conducive place for primates such as baboons, L’Hoest monkeys, red colobus monkeys etc as most of these eat from the swamp/wetlands. The Swamp walk is always done in the afternoon especially after the morning chimpanzee tracking. Other animals such as antelopes, wild pigs etc can also be seen around the swamp.

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Other activities done in the Kibale National park are a tour to the crater lakes for example Lake Nyabikele, Lake Nyinambuga which also appears on twenty thousand shilling note of the Uganda currency, Lake Nkuruba, Lake Ntambi etc as well as a visit to the “Mabeere ga Nyina mwiru”

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Accommodation facilities at Kibale National Park” google_fonts=”font_family:Signika%3A300%2Cregular%2C600%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Being one of the best destinations for a primate safari in Africa and the largest forest national park in Uganda with diverse primate species, Kibale National park also possesses incredible accommodation facilities with spectacular views of wildlife and different natural features the park offers. These range from budget, midrange to luxury accommodation.
Budget Accommodation – Rwenzori View guesthouse, Lake Nkuruba community campsite,
Nyinabulitwa Safari Camp
Midrange/ Standard Accommodation Mountains of the Moon hotel, Kibale Forest Camp,
Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Luxury Accommodation– Primate Lodge Kibale, Ndali Lodge, Mantana Luxury Tented camp,
Crater Safari Lodge
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5 Days Uganda Primate Safari
8 Days Uganda Primates Safari
12 Days Uganda Wilderness Discovery
2 Days Kibale Chimpanzee tour

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