Kibale National Park
Uganda Chimpanzee tracking
Kibale National Park is located in the districts of kabarole and kamwenge, approximately 320km (200ml), by road, west of kampala. Road transport is the most common means of getting to kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is famous for Uganda Chimpanzee tracking and also prides itself as being Africa's top protected area for Primates, numbering an estimated 13 species. Being a rainforest, the humidity in kibale can get uncomfortable but the vegetation is luxuriant and dense. Often hikers will come across a tangled growth of vines that are intertwined with tree trunks. It may look like an animal, but it is really plant matter.
Kibale cannot be appreciated in a day, so you are best advised to book in at a lodge and get the best value for your visit. Chimps can be elusive when they want to be but once you have them in your sights they cannot fail to enchant you with their antics.
Chimpanzees are our closet living relatives sharing 98.7% of our genetic blueprint. Humans and Chimps are also thought to share a common ancestor who lived some four to eight million years ago.Chimps are generally fruit and plant eaters but they also consume insect's eggs and meat. However, you are advised not feed them.
A large block of rainforest that offer excellent birding experience harboring over 400 species, including weaver bird, Pied hornbill, Narina trogon, Afep pigeon, Yellow spotted, hairy breasted and yellow billed barbets, chestnut starlings and joyful greenbul among others.
All treks through kibale forest are with a trained guide or warden. Beyond the Chimps, Kibale is a great place to see a variety of butterflies.
The cool weather and rich soils are ideal for growing some of Uganda's best tea. It is also believed to be the original home to Robusta coffee.
Community tourism in Kibale-Bigodi
Enjoy the experience of being one with the community. Eat a traditional meal. It may mean doing without tables and chairs, but after the first mouthful you will not regret it. The are plenty of woven baskets and souvenirs from the communities around kibale. Don't miss to get yourself a keepsake from different women and communities around you of your trip.
You cannot understand the importance of Kibale national park since rainforests now cover less than 6% of the earth's land surface.
Scientists estimate that more than half of all the worlds' plant and animal species live in tropical rainforests like Kibale.Tropical rainforests produce 40% of earth's oxygen.
