Park at a glance:
Size: 795km2.
Altitude: 1,100m - 1,590m above sea level.
351 tree species have been recorded in the park, some rise to over 55meters and are over 200 years old.
Kibale's varied altitude supports different types of habitat, ranging from wet tropical forest on the Fort Portal plateau to woodland and savanna on the rift valley floor. Kibale is one of Africa's foremost research sites.
While many researchers focus on the chimpanzees and other primates found in the park, others are investigating Kibale's ecosystems, wild pigs and fish species, among other topics.
Kibale Forest National Park contains one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. Forest cover, interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp, dominates the northern and central parts of the park on an elevated plateau.
Things to do in and around Kibale forest national park
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale
Kibale forest national park is famously known for Chimpanzee tracking. The park is home to a total of 70 mammal species, most famously 13 species of primate including the chimpanzee. It also contains over 375 species of birds.
Kibale adjoins Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south to create a 180km-long corridor for wildlife between Ishasha, the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Sebitoli in the north of Kibale Forest National Park.
The Kibale-Fort Portal area is one of Uganda's most rewarding destinations to explore. The park lies close to the tranquil Ndali-Kasenda crater area and within half a day's drive of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Rwenzori Mountains and Semuliki National Parks, as well as the Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve. Kibale Forest National park is famously known for Chimpanzee tracking.
Bigodi community Walk
In visiting the Bigodi community you are not only supporting these communities directly but also promoting conservation for the nearest home of the Chimpanzees the Kibale Forest National Park. This guided walk takes you for a closer meeting with the people at Bigodi Trading Centre and neighboring communities.
A local Guide, with a rich Knowledge of traditional customs and lifestyle of the area, will lead you through the village paths to visit places such as a primary schools, Churches, traditional homesteads, learn about the crops, fruits and may be listen to the storytelling of an elderly man.
The walk will takes up to 3 hours depending on your pace or of the group. According to your interests, you will visit a traditional healer who will happily share his knowledge about spirits, herbs, plants, and local medicines or visit the homes of elderly men and women who tell interesting stories about birth, marriage, ceremonies, clans, and their traditional life.
Learn more about the history and issues that they face as a developing community in rural Uganda. You will also be given the chance to experience the Ugandan school system, visit a local church and Bigodi's trading center, a hub of rural life and activity.
If you are a coffee lover then we will take you for a coffee experience, harvesting, drying, hauling, roasting , grinding and testing, coffee is a very import cash crop in this area and has cultural attachment's, other activities including birding in the Bigodi wetland, other visitors have just preferred a lazy nature walk which is equally rewarding,
Bigodi wetland sanctuary
The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is an excellent birding and primate habitat, the 4 square kilometers Magombe Swamp bordering the Kibale Forest is approximately 6 kilometers south of Kayanchu, the main tracking center of Kibale Forest national park.
You are not going to swim but walk on raised wooden walkways, and observe some rare and colourful birds, colobus monkeys, and other small mammals like otters that call the swamp their home.
If you are lucky, you will spot the rare sitatunga and chimpanzees since they are also known to visit the swamps marshy shores to forage. The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a fantastic example of community tourism, Revenue from the sanctuary visits is channeled to build schools, support women's groups, and improve water and waste management access.
This three-hour activity pairs well with chimpanzee trekking, as they can both be done as half-day activities and can be a good substitute to the village/ community walk, but you can do both to support a vast number of people.
Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris in Uganda
6 Day Uganda Budget Big Five Tour with Chimpanzees
Encounter the big five on a budget safari, You will visit the most beautiful national parks of Uganda, meet the big five and visit the male and female hot springs not forgetting soaking in Uganda's rich and diverse culture plus chimpanzee trekking to make you tour unforgettable.
Per person sharing
8 Day Africa Family Safari Package
This 8 days African family wildlife safari will cover the beautiful sceneries of Uganda and a bit of Rwanda with the beautiful and clean Kigali city.
Per person sharing
10 Days Chimpanzees and Wildlife Safari in Uganda
Ten days Gorilla, chimpanzees and wildlife Safari will take you to 4 national parks. On this customized primates and wildlife safari, you will visit Murchison falls national park, Kibale Forest National Park, queen Elizabeth national park or if you like add on Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Lake Bunyonyi.
Per person sharing
Other toursit destinations in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
More famously, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park protects over 500 mountain gorillas - roughly half of the world's population, with 23 habituated groups, which can be tracked and a number of solitary individuals.
Explore parkKidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo is Uganda's most isolated national park, but the few who make the long journey north through the wild frontier region of Karamoja would agree that it is also the most magnificent, for Kidepo ranks among Africa's finest wildernesses
Explore parkLake Mburo National Park
The parks' precarious past has seen wildlife virtually eliminated several times: firstly in various attempts to rid the region of tsetse flies, then to make way for ranches, and finally as a result of subsistence poaching
Explore parkMount Elgon National Park
At 4,000km² Mt. Elgon has the largest volcanic base in the world. Located on the Uganda - Kenya border it is also the oldest and largest solitary, volcanic mountain in East Africa.
Explore parkMurchison Falls National Park
The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45meters over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls, the centerpiece of the park and the final event in an 80kilometers stretch of rapids
Explore parkQueen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda's most popular tourist destination. The park's diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid woodland forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands,
Explore parkRwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects the highest parts of the 120km-long and 65km-wide Rwenzori mountain range
Explore parkSemliki National Park
Semuliki National Park sprawls across the floor of the Semuliki Valley on the remote, western side of the Rwenzori.
Explore parkThe source of the Nile
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Explore parkZziwa Rhino Sanctuary
The Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary is playing a crucial role in the conservation efforts for the white rhinoceros, which is one of Africa's most endangered species.
Explore parkMgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a protected area located in southwestern Uganda, on the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Explore parkSipi Falls
Sipi Falls is a stunning waterfall located in eastern Uganda, near the town of Kapchorwa. It is considered one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the country and draws tourists from all over the world.
Explore parkPian Upe Game Reserve
Pian Upe is known for its diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, offering visitors a unique and unforgettable experience.
Explore parkSempaya Hot Springs
The Sempaya Hot Springs consist of two main springs: the male spring, known as "Bintente," and the female spring, known as "Nyasimbi." These springs are named after ancestral spirits that are believed to reside in the area.
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