Welcome to Kibale National Park in Uganda, where the wonders of biodiversity and natural beauty await you! This enchanting destination is a must-visit for enthusiastic travelers like yourself, eager to embark on an unforgettable adventure. Kibale National Park is located in the enchanting western region of the country, spanning an expansive 776 square kilometers.
Get ready to be captivated as you explore this extraordinary park, filled with remarkable treasures. One of the notable features of this location is the abundant population of chimpanzees, which exceeds 1,000 individuals in residence. Visitors have the opportunity to track or observe these chimpanzees in their natural habitats, guided by experienced experts. But that’s not all—Kibale National Park is also home to twelve other species of primates, including the endangered red colobus monkey and the rare L’Hoest’s monkey.
Apart from the primates, the park’s abundant range of plant and animal life will leave you in awe. It is a haven for nature enthusiasts, offering a wide array of natural wonders. It harbors over 300 diverse tree species, 375 bird species, and 70 mammal species, rendering it a perfect haven for nature enthusiasts who admire the wonders of the wilderness. Moreover, its adjacency to Queen Elizabeth National Park creates a vital wildlife corridor, fostering greater conservation efforts and providing exceptional opportunities for ecotourism.
Prepare yourself for an extraordinary journey into the heart of Uganda’s natural wonders. Come and experience the friendly allure of Kibale National Park, where adventure and serenity blend harmoniously amidst its breathtaking landscapes.
How to get there
Kibale Forest National Park is located in western Uganda, about 320 km from Kampala, the capital city. There are several ways to reach the park from different locations and modes of transportation. Some of the options are:
- By road: You can drive to the park from Kampala via Mubende and Fort Portal, which takes about 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kasese and Fort Portal, which takes about 3 hours. You can also drive from Murchison Falls National Park via Masindi and Hoima, which takes about 7 hours.
- By air: You can fly to the park from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield near Kampala. There are scheduled and charter flights available to Kasese or Fort Portal airstrips, which are about 1 hour drive from the park. You can book your flight with domestic airlines such as Aerolink or Fly Uganda.
- By public transport: You can take a bus or a taxi from Kampala to Fort Portal, which costs about 35,000 UGX (9 USD) per person. From Fort Portal, you can take a taxi to the park, which costs about 10,000 UGX (3 USD) per person.
Tour and adventure activities
Kibale Forest National Park is a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Over 1,000 chimpanzees and a dozen other primate species reside here, alongside more than 300 bird species and numerous other animals and plants. Some of the most popular and exciting things to do in the park are:
- Chimpanzee trekking: This is the highlight of visiting the park. You can join a guided walk through the forest to find and observe the habituated chimpanzees in their natural habitat. You’ll see them eat, groom, play, and chat with each other.. The trek lasts about 3 hours and costs 200 USD per person.
- Chimpanzee habituation experience: This is a more immersive and exclusive experience that allows you to spend a full day with the chimpanzees. You will join the researchers and trackers who are studying and habituating the chimpanzees. You will learn more about their behaviour, ecology and conservation. The experience costs 250 USD per person and is limited to 4 people per day.
- Primate walk: This is a guided walk that gives you an opportunity to see some of the other primates in the park, such as red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and red-tailed monkeys. You’ll also get to appreciate the beautiful sights of the forest and its plants and animals. The walk lasts about 2 hours and costs 30 USD per person.
- Birdwatching: This is a guided walk to prime birdwatching locations within the park. You will see a variety of birds, such as green-breasted pitta, African grey parrot, great blue turaco, black bee-eater, crowned eagle and many more. The walk lasts about 3 hours and costs 30 USD per person.
- Hiking: This is a guided walk that takes you to explore some of the trails in the park. You will see different landscapes, such as grasslands, swamps, rivers and waterfalls. You will also encounter some wildlife along the way. The hike lasts about 4 hours and costs 30 USD per person.
Budget and luxury accommodations
Camping: This is the cheapest and most adventurous option for staying near the park. You can bring your own tent or rent one from the campsite. You can also use the shared facilities such as bathrooms, kitchens and fireplaces. Some of the campsites near the park are:
- Kibale Forest Camp: This is a camp that offers tents for $50 per person per night or cottages for $80 per person per night. You can also enjoy their restaurant, bar, lounge and garden.
- Chimpanzee Forest Guest House: This is a guest house that offers camping for $10 per person per night or rooms for $40 per person per night. You can also enjoy their restaurant, bar, library and games.
Hostels: This is another affordable option for staying near the park. You can choose from dormitories or private rooms with basic amenities such as beds, mosquito nets and electricity. You can also use the common areas such as lounges, bars and gardens.
Some of the hostels near the park are:
- Rwenzori View Guest House: This is a guest house that offers dormitories for $15 per person per night or rooms for $40 per person per night. You can also enjoy their restaurant, bar, garden and terrace.
- Kibale Guest Cottages: This is a guest house that offers cottages for $60 per person per night or family cottages for $120 per night.
Guesthouses: This is a more comfortable and private option for staying near the park. You can enjoy cozy rooms with en-suite bathrooms, hot water and Wi-Fi. You can also have access to services such as laundry, room service and airport transfers. Some of the guesthouses near the park are:
- Chimps Nest: This is a guest house that offers rooms for $80 per person per night or tree houses for $100 per person per night. You can also enjoy their restaurant, bar, craft shop and boat rental.
- Ndali Lodge: This is a lodge that offers cottages for $250 per person per night or family cottages for $500 per night. You can also enjoy their swimming pool, spa, restaurant, bar and private lake.
Lodges: This is the most luxurious and convenient option for staying near the park. You can indulge in spacious rooms with balconies, fireplaces and bathtubs. You can also enjoy facilities such as swimming pools, spas, restaurants and bars. Some of the lodges near the park are:
- Primate Lodge Kibale: This is a lodge that offers deluxe rooms for $300 per person per night or cottages for $400 per person per night. You can also enjoy their restaurant, bar and private forest.
- Kyaninga Lodge: This is a lodge that offers cottages for $350 per person per night or family cottages for $700 per night.
Places to eat and drink
Kibale Forest National Park has a variety of places where visitors can enjoy local cuisine and beverages, such as restaurants, cafes, bars and markets. Some of the places are:
- Tinka’s Homestead: This is a family-run restaurant that serves traditional Ugandan dishes, such as matooke (plantain), beans, cassava, sweet potatoes and chicken stew. You can also try some local drinks, such as banana beer and waragi (gin). The restaurant is located near the park entrance and costs about 10 USD per person.
- Kibale Forest Camp Restaurant: This is a restaurant that serves continental and African dishes, such as pasta, salads, burgers, fish, beef and chicken. You can also enjoy some drinks, such as coffee, tea, juice, wine and beer. The restaurant is located inside the Kibale Forest Camp.
- Kyaninga Lodge Restaurant: This is a restaurant that serves gourmet and fusion dishes, such as pizza, steak, curry, soup and dessert. You can also enjoy some drinks, such as cocktails, smoothies, champagne and whiskey. The restaurant is located inside the Kyaninga Lodge a
- Fort Portal Town: This is a town that has many options for eating and drinking, such as cafes, bakeries, fast food outlets, supermarkets and bars. You can find a variety of cuisines, such as Indian, Chinese, Italian and Ethiopian. You can also find some local specialties, such as rolex (chapati with eggs), samosas (fried pastries with meat or vegetables) and mandazi (sweet doughnuts). The town is about 30 km from the park and costs about 5 USD per person.
