The Primate Capital of Kibale National Park
The Primate Capital of Kibale National Park: Kibale Forest is widely known as “The Primate Capital of the World” because of its exceptional diversity of primates and its unrivalled ability to provide up-close experiences. Because it is a tropical rain forest, Kibale National Park is famous for being the greatest place to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. There are over 13 different species of primates there, including Black and White, Bonobos, Red-colobus, Blue, and Chimpanzees. Together with Bird, Reptile, Butterfly, Plant, and tree species, the park is home to the world’s densest population of primates.
After being gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932, it was given national status in 1933 and expanded southward to create a continuous block with Queen Elizabeth National Park. Situated 35 km south of Fortportal along the surfaced road of Kamwenge to Ibanda, the Kanyanchu Visitors Centre is the starting point for Chimpanzee trekking and the hub of visitor activities within the park.
The Primate Capital of Kibale National Park
Approximately 26 kilometres from Fortportal town, the park is located in the Kabarole and Kamwenge Districts of western Uganda. The park is a real primate paradise or capital due to its exceptional geographic location, primarily equatorial climate, and thick tropical rain forest, which provide the ideal natural home for an astounding variety of monkey species.
There are 13 different species of primates in the forest, including Red-tailed, Blue, Red Colobus, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Black and White Colobus, Potto, and Bush Babies. This is one of the largest densities and diversity of primates in Africa. While chimpanzee trekking is the park’s most well-known attraction, visitors may also easily view other mammals over 60, including Giant Forest Hogs, African Buffalo, Bush Pigs, Sitatungas, Oribis, Duikers, Bush Bucks, Leopards, Serval Cats, and Forest Elephants that wander from Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The park is also home to over 375 species of birds, including the Masked Apalis, White-naped Pigeon, Green-breasted Pitta, African Pitta, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Red-headed Malimbe, Toro-Olive Greenbul, Hairly-breasted Barbet, Red-chested Owlet, Afep Pigeon, Blue-shouldered Robin-chat, Western Nicator, Blue-throated Roller, Narina Trogon, and others.
Since Kibale National Park preserves a moist evergreen tropical forest, it is one of Uganda’s most popular protected sites. Kibale National Park holds significant ecological value. Numerous environments in Kibale are home to a variety of wildlife species. The park is home to more than 1500 chimpanzees and 12 other monkey species, including the uncommon L’hoest’s Monkey and Domidov’s Galago, making it the largest primate group on the African continent. Its status as the world’s primate capital may have something to do with this.
The ideal location for your chimpanzee trekking and habituation activities is Kibale National Park. There are more than seven Chimpanzee communities in Kibale, some of which are acclimated to humans and are just itching to spend time with you. Unlike other parts of East Africa, you have a 100% chance of seeing chimpanzees on the shortest stroll in Kibale. Trekking with chimpanzees is the most popular activity that tourists reserve in Kibale. On the other hand, some people like birdwatching because the Kibale forest is home to more than 350 different species of birds, making it a birder’s paradise.
Best season for travellers in Kibale National Park
The best time to go chimpanzee trekking is during the dry season, when the park is crowded and nearly all of the hotels and lodges there as well as in the surrounding areas are completely booked. Tickets for chimpanzee trekking are typically somewhat pricey during the busiest times of the year in order to manage the number of tourists to Kibale. Despite being the wet season and low season, the park is free to enter, and this is the time of year when chimpanzee acclimatisation activities are concentrated. In an effort to draw tourists, discounted chimpanzee hiking permits are also offered.
How to get to Park
The northern route—which takes around five to six hours from Kampala via the Fort Portal route to Kibale via Sebitoli via Kamwenge road to Kanyanchu Visitors Centre—is the best way to get to Kibale National Park by car. The best method to get to Kibale National Park is by car, taking the Fort Portal Road from Kampala to travel the 300 km northern route, which takes five to six hours. It is roughly 26 kilometres from Fortportal to Kibale via Sebitoli along Kamwenge road to the Kanyanchu Visitors Centre. However, you can alternatively fly from Entebbe to Kasese using the Aero link; our tour guide will then drive you up to the park.
Alternatively, one can reach Kibale National Park by air. There are two airstrips from Kibale National Park that can be reached by air: Kasese Airstrip, which is 75 kilometres from Fort Portal Town, and Nyakisharara Airstrip, which is located in Mbarara. From Entebbe International Park to Kasese Airstrip, the charter flight takes 1:35 hours.