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Kibale National Park
One of the best safari destinations in Africa for chimpanzee trekking safaris and has the highest number and diversity of primates in East Africa.
Introducing Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is renowned for its extraordinary population of primates, with chimpanzees clearly stealing the show – the park is home to one of the largest concentrations of these fascinating creatures in Africa. As you trek through the forest with your guides, you may encounter playful chimpanzees swinging from the trees, grooming one another or looking for their next snack. If you want to be on the safe side, join a chimpanzee trekking tour – the perfect chance to observe their complex social structures and learn more about their everyday life as a troop. The chimpanzees are not the only primate residents you’ll meet during your time in Kibale. You can also spot red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys. These fascinating primates offer an up-close glimpse into the evolutionary connections we share with our animal cousins. And believe us: you’ll be amazed!
Experience the Kibale National Park
Wildlife 
Birdlife
Wildlife at the Kibale National Park
The main draw of Kibale is the chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking is much easier than gorilla trekking, and you can also join the habituation team to spend hours with these amazing animals. The high number of chimpanzees, the accessibility of the forest and the length of habituation makes Kibale the most popular places to track chimpanzees in Uganda. Although sightings are not guaranteed, you have over a 90% chance of seeing them in Kibale. Unlike gorilla trekking, Kibale’s terrain is not too challenging and so you don’t have to be particularly fit or able to trek for long periods to track chimpanzees. Standard tracking excursions last about three hours and include a maximum of one hour with the chimps, during which you can expect to get within 8-10 metres.
Permits are required to track the chimpanzees, and you will join a group (maximum of 8) led by Uganda Wildlife Authority Interpretive Rangers who will introduce you to the chimps and their forest world. The tracking excursions depart twice a day at 08:00 and 14:00. The morning departures are the busiest because many itineraries combine it with an afternoon visit to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
With 13 different species, the number and diversity of primates in Kibale National Park is the highest in the whole of Africa. The most popular of these are the chimpanzees with over 1450 individuals living here making it the best destination to enjoy a Chimpanzee Tracking Tour.
Birdlife at the Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park has a rich birdlife with 335 recorded species, including numerous rarities and regional endemics. Four of these – Cassin’s spinetail, green-breasted pitta, masked apalis, and blue-headed bee-eater – have not been recorded elsewhere in Uganda. In the closed canopy forest, however, birds are heard rather than seen. Bird sightings in Kibale Forest are more reliable along the main road through the park and on the boardwalk trail through the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run initiative, protects the Magombe Swamp from agricultural encroachment, generates funds for local development, and has provided hundreds of birdwatchers with sightings of papyrus gonoleks and other ‘swamp specials’ as well as a decent number of Congo biome birds.
Best time to visit Kibale National Park
The ideal time to visit Kibale National Park is during the dry seasons – trekking through the forest and exploring the park’s sights are more comfortable during these periods. However, the rainforest is captivating year-round and if you don’t mind getting a little wet, you can also discover the park during the rain periods (with fewer tourists). Of course your visit can be adjusted to your schedule. To a certain extent, a tropical forest generates its own weather patterns. That, plus Uganda’s equatorial position, means that you should always be prepared for some rain during your stay. That said, it is generally still true that the wetter months are April and May, and November. The hottest months are January and December.
The whole concept of 'best time to visit' doesn't really apply to Uganda. The country is equatorial and so receives similar temperatures throughout the year and rainfall can be expected year-round. Weather patterns are also changing, meaning rigid seasonality is becoming outdated.
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