Kibale Forest National Park
A gorilla in the wild. Use the route from Fort Portal to Kamwenge, which continues up to near the bridge over the Mpanga River in Fort Portal and is clearly sign posted. Diverge to the left at the junction, 12 kilometers from Port Portal and follow signposts for more than 24 kilometers to Kanyanchu Tourist Centre.
Kibale National Park accommodates the greatest diversity and numbers of primates found anywhere in East Africa. It is a large National Park, protecting a vast block of rainforest which provides some excellent forest for bird viewing. Birds plus primates combined with easy access, a good infrastructure a diversity of fascinating activities make this forest important for viewing safaris in Uganda.
A big number of the facilities are community based, therefore offering the local community with the needed revenue to keep their interest focused on the long-term protection of the place.
The place is mainly inhabited by two tribes that is; Batooro and Bakiga. Traditionally, both tribes use the forest for food, fuel, building materials plus medicines.
Wildlife in the Park
Main species of birds present:
Grey-winged Robin, Red-winged francoliin, White-napped pigeon, Green-breasted pitta, Red-chested flufftail, African Pitta, Joyful Greenbul, Abyssinian Ground Thrushi, Grey -throated flycatcher, whiter-bellied crested flycatcher, masked and black-capped Apolises, Uganda woodland warbler, Chestnut-winged starling, Orange-tufted and tiny sunbirds, Grey-headed olive-back.
OTHER WILDLIFE:
Kibale has a customary chimpanzee-tracking program, with high success rate.
Other primates which may be found in these guided walks include; Grey-checked mangabeys, Gueneza Colobus, L.Hoest?s Gentle (Blue) Olive Baboon, and Red-tailed monkeys is more likely to be found in open places near the forest. You may find evidence of elephant, bush pig and buffalo on the trails, whilst bushbuck, Blue Harvey?s and Peter?s Duikers are other shy inhabitants of the forest interior. The guided night walks are also rewarding; Patto, Spectacled Demidoff?s and Thomas Galogos, Lord Derby?s Anomalive, African civet and marsh mangrooses, Itchneuman, Swamp other, Alexander?s cusimanse,Ratel (Honey Badger) and African palm civet. Albeit Golden cat, serval lion, leopard, warthog. Giant Hog together with hippopotamus, are registered from the park, they are not likely to be encountered in the Kanyanchu region. Sitatungas are known to be in Bigodi swamp, however, they are not usually viewed. The spectacular and beautiful Rhinoceros viper is somehow common here but is, unfortunately less often got alive than dead on the road.
Kibale Park Accommodation
Mantana luxury Tented found in the middle of the forest. Bush type accommodation excellently comfortable.
The Kanyanchu tourist centre possesses five 2-bed bandas. The beautiful campground is at three dollars per person. There is a cooking shelter and pit latrines, water plus firewood is offered. The community-based canteen provides cheap basic food (the best beans in Uganda) and drinks.
Another option, there is the safari Hotel 3 kilometers further on the road to Kamwenge.
Basic rooms are at 4 dollars per person including all the tea you can take, plus free laundry.
There is Ndali lodge, a luxury accommodation owned by a white man. It is a cottage overlooking a crater lake.
There is also the Rwenzori View Guest House found at Fort Portal about 30 kilometers from the forest.
The park provides very cheap chimpanzee tracking. Groups with a maximum of six people depart everyday at 6:00am in the morning and 3:00pm in the evening, the walks take a round 3 hours. The best recommended right walks leave from Kangando visitor centre at 7:30pm but you should book earlier on. Come a long with your torch.
Facilities at Bigodi include; an observation tower plus a boardwalk, which crosses the papyrus beds. The track together with the boardwalk may be flooded and muddy after the heavy rain thus, gumboots are encouraged to be brought. They can be hired at the visitors centre. In length, the walk is approximately 4 kilometers, consuming 3 to four hours at birding pace. With all proceeds from eco-tourism going back into the community, this is a conservation project well worth supporting.
Forest Regulations
* You should know that this is a Zoo, therefore it is a tropical rainforest and viewings depend on factors like time of the day, presence of fruits, weather plus how quite the primate group is.
* The biggest number of people in a group is four tourists for each guided walk.
* The longest time allowed with the chimpanzees is one hour, however, the time may be decreased or made less under the guide?s direction, to avoid stressful conditions for the chimpanzees.
* You are encouraged to remain in a tight group and follow the guide?s directions always while trekking.
* Please stay at a distance of 8 meters away from the chimpanzees or the distance that your guide tells you.
* There are no circumstances when you will be allowed to chase chimpanzees as they go down or move on higher ground.
* Please do not eat near the chimpanzees and other primates.
* Please refrain from shouting while in the forest.
* You are encouraged to put on long boots which cover your toes, plus long trousers for there are red ants and slippery trails, also come along with water-proof clothing during the rainy season.
* Children below the age of twelve are not allowed to see the chimpanzees for security purposes.
* If you want to go for a short call, please do so off the trail system.
* If you want to go for a long call, please do so off the trail system and bury all waste in a hole.