Park Activities
Chimpanzee tracking Primate Walk
The park is famous for chimpanzee tracking . Chimpanzees have been habituated for human interaction without any issues. Tracking starts from Kanyachu point from 8.00am and may last 2- 3/5 hours depending how easy you encounter these cousins. While tracking you may also interact with other primates – monkeys of white and black , red tailed and grey cheeked mangabey. Also many bird species will be sighted . You will need chimpanzee tracking permit and currently cost $ 200 per person per permit.
You will be allocated guides at Kanyanchu visitors centre and then proceed into the forest. The trained guides will help you indentify different species of trees in this rain tropical forest. Proceed deeper into the forest until will come touch with chimpanzees. These delightful apes are more closely to humans than other living creatures and its tremendous fun watch them as they squabble and play in fruiting trees. In Kibale Forest National park , a net work of shady trails provide delightful environment to botanists and butterfly lovers while birders are in for great treat of watching 335 species of birds have been recorded here including the endemics. The elusive forest elephants which are smaller than the savannah counterparts move around in this forest but are not friendly in case of interaction try to stay far from them. Other wildlife include buffalos, giant forest hog , and some antelopes. 2 sessions of mornings and afternoons are arranged on each day to allow chimpanzee tracking very convenient to all visitors.
Chimpanzee Habituation – Kibale Forest National Park
Chimpanzee habituation experience is an ongoing activity that allows chimpanzees get kind of training to get used to human presence without necessarily altering their natural behavior. You will accompany Kibale researchers and habituators as they follow chimpanzees during their daily activities as they make them get used to human beings. You will see chimpanzees de-nesting ( coming out of their nocturnal nests) between 5.30 – 6.30 am. And then follow them the whole day until they start nesting again as they prepare for the night sleep and resting around 19.00hrs .
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary : Bird Watching safaris: Bird Watching tour at Kibale forest Park
Kibale National park is famous for hosting many bird species over 300 species of birds can be viewed here. Bird bird watchers will find Kibale and its environs . Bigodi Swamp Wetland Sanctuary is situated just outside the park in Magombe Swamp. This famous for wide range of wildlife manly primates – baboons, monkeys – red Colobus, black and white Colobus and red tailed monkeys. This wetland is famous for many bird species , over 140 bird species can be viewed here. A guided natural walk with guided natural walks will be conducted following trails and stopping at viewing platforms .
Sebitoli Forest near the park is also another important area for birders . This part of the forest offer excellent bird and primate viewing in moist evergreen forest with closed canopies. Forest walks will lead you to hidden water falls and taking you through Tea Estates that can also be arranged to be visited for eco tourism.
Natural Walks: Cultural Heritage tours.
Natural guided walks are are conducted in Kibale forest national park . They will bigin at park offices – Kanyanchu or Sebitoli. The trial will explore the forest during the day emerging in the evening. The route takes through the community run camp sites near the forest in villages of Kikoni, Nyaibanda and Nyakalongo.
The two major tribes living around the park are Batooro and Bakiga. Traditionally both tribes use the forest for food, fuel, and building materials. Lots of cultural activities will be introduced to visitors – dancing, cooking and way of living are paramount.
Batooro people are naturally creative people. They treasure art and craft as proved by their history. Batooro cultural tours are led by women. Women weaved baskets , mats, made jewellery out of beads, bracelets, and bark cloth decorations. Men curved stones, spears, pots and drums using the local raw materials.
