Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park: Highlights

Kibale National park is home to the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. There are 13 primate species found within the forest including chimpanzees, red-tailed monkey, L'Hoest's monkey, blue monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red colobus and black-and-white colobus. There is also a healthy population of larger mammals including lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo, although the dense vegetation means that these are not commonly sighted. Within the forest little light filters down to the foot of the massive trunks smothered in lichen, whilst above epiphytes sprout off tree branches and lianas hang from the canopy down to leaf litter. Due to its location at the meeting point of the wet rainforests of West Africa and the drier East African forest, Kibale supports an unusually rich array of tropical plants and animals.

With 13 different species, the number and diversity of primates in Kibale National Park is the highest in the whole of Africa. The most popular of these are the chimpanzees with over 1450 individuals living here making it the best destination to enjoy a Chimpanzee Tracking Tour. A Uganda safari will enable you to see all these primates. In addition Kibale is home to the uncommon L’Hoest’s monkeys, East Africa’s biggest population of the endangered red colobus monkeys, the black & white colobus, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabeys, bush babies as well as potto among many others.

Kibale Forest National Park: In Pictures

Monkey

at kibale forest national park

Monkey

at kibale forest national park

Turaco

at kibale forest national park

Chimp

at kibale forest national park

Experience Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale National Park is located close to the serene Ndali Kasenda crater area and it takes a half day’s drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Rwenzori Mountains & Semuliki National Parks and the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve. Southern Kibale borders Queen Elizabeth National Park and collectively these conserved areas protect a 180 km long migration corridor for wildlife that stretches from the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in “Ishasha”, to “Sebitoli” in northern Kibale.

Kibale’s varied vegetation offers different varieties of wildlife habitat, ranging from the moist evergreen forest (wet tropical forest) along the Fort Portal plateau, then through the dry tropical forest (moist semi deciduous), and then to the woodland and savanna along the rift valley floor. In the central part of the park, around Kanyanchu, the high forest consist of a mixture of evergreen trees and deciduous with the evergreen species being dominant. The vegetation rises to over 55m and establishes a semi-closed canopy of massive stratified tree crowns. With shade tolerant herbs, a variety of ferns, shrubs and broad leaved forest grasses, the undergrowth is sparse. 351 tree species have been registered in the park.

Where to find Kibale Forest National Park

Birdlife at the Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale is a bird-watcher's paradise. More than 370 species have been recorded and many are forest specials, including the sought-after African pitta. Four bird species have not been recorded in any other national park of Uganda: Cassin’s spinetail, blue-headed bee-eater, Nahan’s francolin and Masked apalis. The best bird-watching spot is the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary – a community project where experienced guides take you on a four-hour trail. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

The birdlife in Kibale is good year-round, but at its best from March to May and from September to November. June to September is the main fruiting season, so food is abundant, and many birds are in breeding plumage. Migratory birds, though not a major factor in the forests, can be found here from November to April. December to February and June to July have the least rain while March to May and September to November have the most rain. Rainstorms might limit your bird-watching time.

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