Birding Trips To Kibale Forest National Park

Birding Trips to Kibale Forest National Park: Kibale Forest National Park is one of the best guided tours in western Uganda for birdwatchers to go bird watching. It is one of the most biodiverse locations on Earth, with over 375 bird species, six of which are endemic. Specifically, the Chimpanzees that live in this dense forest are the reason this park was established in 1993. Birding is the second most popular activity in Kibale National Park, behind chimpanzee trekking. During guided tours such as game drives and nature walks, visitors can view a variety of bird species.

Bird Species in Kibale National Park: Following the birding trips to Kibale Forest National Park, the forest has many different types of ecosystems, such as grasslands, thickets, marshy valleys, tropical rainforests, and underneath vegetation. As a result, they provide a haven for a variety of bird species, including the eye-catching African Olive, Grey-winged Robin-chat, African-pied wagtail, Brown-eared woodpecker, Toro-olive Greenbul, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Masked Apalis, Green-breasted Pitta, Red-headed Malimbe, Zebra Waxbill, White-tailed Ant-Thrush, Afep and White-napped Pigeon, and Grey-headed (Grey-throated) Barbet. The African Black Dark, Mountain Wagtail, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Shining-blue Kingfisher, White-collared Oliveback, Superb, Blue-throated Brown, Little-green, Grey-headed, Green-throated, Tiny and Olive-bellied Sunbird, Waller’s, Narrow-tailed, and Stuhlmann’s Starling, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Blue-shouldered, and Red-caped Robin-chat are some of the other species that can be found during birding trips to Kibale Forest National Park.

Other species include the African Black Duck, Eastern Olive Sunbird, Tiny, Yellow-spotted and Yellow-billed Barbet, Black-headed, Village and Vieillot’s Black Weavers; most of these species are always building their nests. Other species include the Splendid Glossy Starling, Blue Purple-headed Starling, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Red-faced Cisticola and Little and Joyful Greenbul. Grey-winged and Snowy-headed Robin-chat, Bronze, Magpy and Black-and-White Mannikin, Chattering Yellowbill, Yellow-throated, Yellow-rumped, and Speckled Tinkerbird, Red-chested Sunbird, Green Hylia, and Black-necked Weaver, Honeyguide Greenbul, and Toro-olive Greenbul, among others.

The Blue-headed bee-eater, Nahan’s Francolin, and Cassin’s spine tail are the four bird species that have been observed in Kibale Forest National Park that have not been observed in any other national park in Uganda. The majority of the migratory birds that have been observed here typically arrive between November and April.

During birding trips to Kibale Forest National Park, these guided tours, such as nature walks in the dense forest, can expose you to a diverse range of bird species with the assistance of a guide. Therefore, with so many well-maintained hiking and trekking routes, Kibale National Park is the best place to go birdwatching. Birders can lead guests on a 4-hour walking trail through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. In Kibale National Park, birding excursions begin at 7 am at the Kanyancu Visitor Centre. You will have a birding guide, and since guides are familiar with the best routes to follow, you can be sure to view a variety of bird species.

How to get to Kibale Forest National Park?

Accessing Kibale Forest National Park is convenient via air and road / vehicle transportation. The park is located 300 km from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, and may be reached by car. There are beautiful scenery stops along the way of this five- to six-hour road trip. Alternatively, visitors can fly from Entebbe International Airport to either Kasese Airstrip or Nyakisharara Airstrip in Mbarara City to access the park. After a one-and-a-half-hour flight, tourists are driven to the park by knowledgeable Journey’s Uganda guides, who ensure a satisfying birdwatching experience.

Other activities to do in Kibale National Park

The park offers a wide range of activities in addition to tracking chimpanzees and seeing birds, such as guided nature excursions, woodland walks, primate walks, cultural interactions, and camping.

Chimpanzee trekking

During birding trips to Kibale Forest Forest National Park, this journey can also take you into the forest, where you will view and interact with habituated groups of chimpanzees, learn about the birding secrets of Kibale Forest, and witness a variety of bird and butterfly species. You will spend an hour watching a family of chimpanzees swing in the treetop canopy and learning about their activities. There may also be sightings of a range of butterflies and primates, such as vervet, red, black, and white colobus monkeys, and L’Hoest monkeys.

Nature walks

Take guided nature excursions during birding trips to Kibale Forest Forest National Park to observe it’s unique habitat and fauna while learning about its birding secrets. Primates including L’Hoest monkeys, Mangabeys, Black and White Colobus monkeys, Bush babies, and more may be seen by you.

Cultural encounters and Performances

Participate in community events to gain a close understanding of the customs, values, and performances of the locals. This is quite exciting, especially in light of how the natives perform singing, drumming, and traditional dances. Chimpanzee habituation, trekking, forest treks, camping, study, and restoration are a few more activities.

Best time to go birding in Kibale National Park

Birding trips to Kibale Forest Forest National Park can be scheduled at any time of year, but the best times to go birdwatching are March through May and September through November. Because there is an abundance of food and busy fruiting, June through September is the best time of year to go birdwatching. This time of the year attracts a lot of birds because many species are in their breeding plumage. November through April are the best time to see migratory birds in Kibale.

The park experiences little precipitation in December, February, and June, July, but heavy downpours are predicted in March, May, and September, November. The latter might lead to slippery hiking paths and road closures, but with sturdy hiking boots and helpful tools from the potters, this becomes a myth.

Accommodation and Discovering Kibale Forest’s Birding Secrets

Kibale National Park is a home away from home for its amazing housing alternatives, which range from high-end, mid-range, and budget options, As you discover Kibale Forest’s birding secrets,. In addition to Primate Lodge, Turaco Tree Tops, Crater Safari Lodge, Chimpundu Lodge, Guereza Canopy Lodge, Isunga Lodge, Kibale Forest Lodge, and Kyaninga Lodge, the neighbouring town of Fortportal offers a wide variety of lodging options, including the Mountains of the Moon Hotel.

Kibale National Park is a home away from home for its amazing lodging options, which range from high-end, mid-range, and budget options, as you explore birding trips to Kibale Forest National Park. birding secrets. In addition to Primate Lodge, Turaco Tree Tops, Crater Safari Lodge, Chimpundu Lodge, Guereza Canopy Lodge, Isunga Lodge, Kibale Forest Lodge, and Kyaninga Lodge, the neighbouring town of Fortportal offers a wide variety of lodging options, including the Mountains of the Moon Hotel.

It is possible to extend this trip to more other destinations with interesting activities such as excursions in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for gorilla trekking and further birdwatching, and Queen Elizabeth National Park for birding and wildlife viewing, not leaving out the Toro Semlik Wildlife Reserve and the Semliki National Park, which is very popular for the rare Guinea-Congo Biome endemics.