In comparison with other destinations, Kibale national park is a unique destination in that tourists have up to 100% chance of sighting the primates. Some of these primates include, Chimpanzee which are the closest relatives of Human beings, Guereza Colobus, Olive Baboon, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, L’Hoest’s Gentle ( Blue) and Red-tailed Monkeys are more likely to be found in open areas adjacent to the forest. You may find evidence of Elephant, Bush Pig, and Buffalos among others.
Chimpanzee Tracking
With more chimpanzees than anywhere else in Uganda, Kibale National Park is the best place for chimpanzee tracking adventures.
A number of these delightful apes have been habituated and offer exciting encounters, watching them grapple about in the fruiting trees, doing their trademark pant-hoots, and making several human-like gestures.
Also you can experience and participate in the Chimpanzee tracking walks which starts from the Kanyanchu visitor Centre at 8:00am and at 02:00pm and lasts 2-3 hours.
Park guides are readily available to take tourists through this ritual. This walk is for the maximum of 8 persons per group and advance booking is essential due to the limited permits issued for a particular date which are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Chimpanzee tracking is done daily with two sessions available, the first commencing at 8.00am and the second one at 3.00pm. It is done in a group not exceeding 8 members and lasts for about three hours.
Chimpanzee habituation
The chimpanzee Habituation Experience is also available for even a better experience with the chimps which allows the researchers and visitor to follow Chimpanzees during their daily activity, thereby getting them used to human presence without altering their natural behaviour.
You get to feed the chimps and engage in several activities like copulating, hunting, breast feeding, resting, patrolling and displaying until they build new nest and retire for the night around 6:00pm with the chimps as part of their habituation process.
Guided Nature Walks
Guided nature walks are quite an adventure in Kibale Forest with lots of wildlife to encounter including a number of monkeys, olive baboons, elephants, buffalos, and several birds. Bigodi swamp area is the most popular spot for nature walks due to its endowment with lots of wildlife.
Nocturnal walks are also available to catch a number of nocturnal including African civet, Potto, mongoose, common genet, and Thomas’ Galagos among others. They start at about 7.00am but endeavor to carry along water and put on light clothes.
Cultural Encounters
With the help of a local guide who will help to explore the Magombe Wetlands. The village walks help you to discover the daily life of Batooro. The cultural tour also passes across the village’s primary school, Church and a traditional healer. Traditional story of “village of two tribes” describes how the migrating Bakinga from the South-western Uganda came to join the indigenous Batooro in 1950s while narrating the history of Bigodi. You will also learn about the role of women in the village and traditional ceremonies during this cultural encounter.
Birding
Home to over 372 species of which 60 percent are recorded Uganda’s forest birds like the Red-chested Flufftail, White-naped Pigeon, Green-breasted Pitta, African Pitta, Joyful Greenbul, Grey-winged Robin, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Grey-throated Flycatcher, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, grey-headed Negro finch among others.
Visiting the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary
Bigodi is a vast tract of wetland and a bird sanctuary located in the tropical jungle that possesses a variety of natural wonders with amazing primates such as monkeys, baboons, rare birds. The Bigodi Swamp walk brings you in touch with the unique swamp’s more than 40 bird species like the papyrus gonolek, blue turacco, grey-throated, yellow-billed, yellow spotted and double-toothed barbets.
