Birds to See in Kibale National Park
Birds to see in Kibale National Park: Besides Chimpanzee trekking, it is a remarkable birding destination located in western Uganda with a diverse array of bird species. This park is a renowned habitat for the highly prized Green-breasted Pitta and also boasts over 375 bird species, many of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift, such as the Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Rwenzori Batis, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, and others. However, four bird species in Kibale Forest National Park have not been registered in any other park, such species include the Cassin’s Spinetail, Masked Apalis, Blue-headed Bee-eater and Nahan’s Francolin.
Kibale National Park is indeed an essential birdwatching haven with rich birding spots like Sebitoli, Kanyachu, and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, which combines birdwatching and community-based project activities such as coffee processing, brewing, craft making, and cultural encounters. Numerous bird species seek refuge in this tropical rain forest, such as endemic, common, migratory, and forest birds, among others.
Birds to see in Kibale National Park
- · Abyssinian Ground Thrush
- · Blue-shouldered Robin-chat
- · Narina Trogon
- · Yellow-billed, Yellow-spotted and Hairy-breasted Barbet
- · Blue-throated Roller
- · Green-breasted Pitta
- · Blue-throated Brown Sunbird
- · Yellow-mantled Weaver
- · Grey Apalis
- · Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird
- · Afep Pigeon
- · Blue-headed Sunbird
- · Red-chested Owlet
- · White-naped Pigeon
- · Red-faced Woodland Warbler
- · Toro-olive Greenbul
- · Blue-breasted Kingfisher
- · Black-eared Ground Thrush
- · Nahan’s Francolin
- · White-naped Pigeon
- · Ruwenzori Apalis
- · Black Bee-eater
- · Crowned Eagle
- · Scaly-breasted Illadopsis
- · Western Nicator
- · Purple-breasted Sunbird
- · Grey Parrot
- · Yellow-bill
- · Dusky Long-tailed Cukoo
- · Black-capped Apalis
- · Blue-headed Bee-eater
- · Brown Illadopsis
- · Brown-chested Alethe
- · Cassin’s Spinetail
- · Dusky Crimsonwing
- · Masked Apalis
- · Western Nicator
- · African-shrike Flycatcher
- · Red-headed Malimbe
Other activities
Chimpanzee Tracking and Chimpanzee Habituation
With an estimated 1450 species, Kibale Forest is home to the largest population of resident primates in Uganda (Chimpanzees). Chimpanzee tracking and habituation are some of the forest’s top activities. Tracking habituated groups of Chimpanzees is possible at Kanyanchu River Camp with knowledgeable ranger personnel. Mangabey, the unique L’Hoest’s Monkey to the Albertine Rift region, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Red Colobus Monkeys, and Mangabey are among the other prominent primates that can be seen during guided nature and night walks in the forest.
Nature Walks
An amazing opportunity to interact with various bird species and primates while maintaining an intimate relationship with the natural world is provided by guided nature walks in Kibale Forest National Park. During birding in Kibale Forest, rangers who are familiar with the forest’s routes lead the activities. Around two to three hours are spent on the nature walks, and throughout the national park tours, several primate species are visible. You can do nature walks and birding in Kibale Forest National Park during the morning and afternoon.
Others include night walks, cultural encounters, community activities, and many others.
How to get to Kibale National Park
It is recommended that visitors who are interested in exploring Kibale National Park, also known as “The Primate Capital of the World,” take the ground transportation route from Kampala via Fort Portal. Owing to the well-paved roads, the tour vehicle would transport you to Kibale via Sebitoli and the Kanyanchu Visitors Centre via Kamwenge Road. It is also possible to get to Kasese from Entebbe by air via the Aero link. From there, you can be driven to Kanyachu for birding in Kibale National Park by our tour guide.
Best time to go birding in Kibale Forest National Park
Although it is good all year, March through May and September through November are when Kibale’s birdlife is at its peak. There is enough of food and a large number of birds in breeding plumage from June to September, when fruiting occurs. From November to April, migratory birds can be seen; however, they are not a significant presence in the forests.