Kibale Forest national park is known as the primate capital of the world hosting over 13 species of primates and the main one being the chimpanzees that facilitate the chimpanzee trekking activities. Kibale national park is found on the floor of the Albertine rift, and located between Kamwenge and Kabarore districts and covers a total surface area of 795km2. The forest park hosts over 70 mammals,13 primate species and over 370 recorded bird species. The park was gazatted as a forest reserve in 1932 and thereafter was established as a national park in 1993.The rationale for gazattement of this park was because of its rich eco system composed of green forest species some of which are believed to have existed over 200 years. Nocturnal Walks in Kibale Forest allow you to venture into the forest to catch a glimpse of the night life in this tropical forest.
Chimpanzee trekking is the main activity in Kibale forest but there are other unique tourism activities that can be done including birding and nocturnal nature walk where you will experience a rich night life in the forest by encountering the rare nocturnal animals with in this rain forest.
Nocturnal walks in Kibale forest
This is one of the unique experiences where you will have a chance to explore the rain forest in the night together with the ranger guides. Its managed by Uganda wildlife Authority and the activity starts at 7;00pm with briefing from the ranger guides at Kanyanchu information office lasting for about 2 hours. The ranger guide will lead you on the forest trails as you watch nocturnal animals walking around the forest. Some of these include; tree hyrax, cricket, night jar, chilling shriek, occasional civet, serval cats, pottos, bush babies among others.
You will stand a high chance of seeing these nocturnal animals since the rest of the animals like the chimpanzees are resting. Night walk does not only reward you with encountering nocturnal animals but also experiencing the rare jungle silence, breath of fresh air, sounds of birds, bubbling brooks and smelling the fragrance of existing flowers. This gives you a different rare experience that the day activities do not provide.
What to carry for the Nocturnal Walks in Kibale Forest.
When going for the walk, carry a rain jacket to use incase it rains while walking, put on boots or comfortable tracking shoes and wear long stockings to prevent insect bites and red aunts from their bodies, long sleeved shirts, insect repellant, hand gloves and drinking water. While doing the walk, you have to use powerful torches or flash lights that are used to maneuver through the forest trails and watch nocturnal animals.
Other activities to do in Kibale forest national park;
Chimp tracking;
Kibale is known as the primate capital of the world and is famous for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. It starts from Kanyanchu visitor information center with briefing from UWA rangers starting at 8; 00 am. It takes between 2 to 4 hours depending on the movement of the chimps. You will be allowed to spend with chimpanzee only one hour while taking photos in close range and observing them feed, play among others. While doing the trekking, you are likely to encounter with other primate species including; velvet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons among others
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience;
This is a full day experience starting from Kanyanchu Visitor Information Centre with briefing from UWA ranger and starts at 6;00 am. You will go with researchers to explore the behaviors of chimpanzees and the experience starts right from nesting. This activity helps you explore the behaviors of chimps, their way of leaving including feeding, mating and nesting among others. You are likely to also sight other animals like forest elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, warthogs, reptiles as well as a colorful butterfly.
Birding;
You can also embark on birding experience in Kibale forest because it hosts over 375 recorded bird species. You are likely to view some different bird species including; African pitta, green breasted pitta, Afep pigeon, white –naked pigeon, crowned Eagle, Red chested Owlet, Black Bee-eater, Blue headed sunbird yellow spotted Nicator, black-eared ground thrush and the Abyssinian ground-thrush. You can as well do birding in Bigodi wetland sanctuary walk rich in biodiversity and beautiful scenery. The sanctuary was set up to preserve the exclusive environmental features along with the wetland and is managed by the local community.
Other connecting parks.
Kibale national park is closer to other national parks and reserves and you can connect to them for other tourism activities. These include Queen Elizabeth national park, Rwenzori national park, Semuliki national park, Toro semuliki wildlife reserve and Katonga wildlife reserve. You can also connect to Bwindi gorilla national park for gorilla trekking through Ishasha sector for tree climbing lions.
How much do you pay and where?
You will pay $40 for FNR, $20 for FR and 15,000 UGX for East African citizens. It’s always better to do it on the day you do chimp trekking because you will not pay extra money for park entrance because the chimp trekking permit comes with park entrance. However, if it’s done on a different day, you will pay more $40 for FNR, $30 for FR and 20,000 UGX as park entrance fees. You can book with Uganda Wildlife Authority reservations office or through your reliable travel company.
Some Accommodation in Kibale National park include;
- Primate Lodge
- Kibale Safari lodge
- Kanyanchu River Camp
- Endali lodge
- Chimp nest
- Crater safari lodge
- Kyaninga lodge
- Chimpanzee Forest Camp
