Kibale Forest National Park is Uganda’s most famous tourist destination for chimpanzee tracking. The forest hosts the highest density of chimpanzees in Africa and no any other tourist destination on the black continent out compete this moist Forest!
Location
Located in western Uganda, covering an area of over 760 sq kms, Kibale Forest National Park lies 35 kms south of Fort Portal and adjoins with Queen Elizabeth National Park.The Kibale Forest Primate Reserve contains vast tracts of equatorial rain forests. This park contains the world’s highest concentration of primates in the world. Located 35 kilometers south of Fort Portal, it also shelters Uganda’s third largest population of elephants.
Wildlife in Kibale forest
Kibale is the perfect place to experience the true diversity of wildlife and flora found in a tropical rain forest. The park contains the largest population of forest elephants found in Uganda but they are rarely sighted. Major attraction in the park is the 500-strong population of chimpanzees – one of man’s closest relatives. Visitors can opt for 4-hour guided forest walks to catch a glimpse of some of the chimps. Eleven different species of primates have been recorded in the park. This includes the Black and White and Red Colobus, L’Hoest’s Monkeys and Galagos. The reserve is also home to a large population of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and a large variety of butterflies and birds. Some of the more “popular” birds are the Hornbills and Turacos. For the nature lover, the rainforests themselves are a wonder – the trees grow very high and their circumferences are enormous. There is dense undergrowth, through which small streams make their way and occasionally create swamps in open areas where buffaloes and antelopes graze.
Visitor Accommodation:
There are a number of hotels in Fort Portal, 35kms north of the park. Bigodi and Nkingo villages have basic lodges. Inside the park camping facilities are available; there are two private campsites with a tent sleeping two. There are also four additional campsites for those with their own tends and bedding. You need to bring provisions with you.