A Guide to Kibale National Park.

Kibale National Park is located in western Uganda, it was gazetted in 1932 and formally established in 1993. The park protects evergreen rainforest that contains a diverse array of landscapes. Kibale forest national park is majorly one of the last remaining expenses that contains both lowland and montane forests that serve as a habitat to the highest diversity and concentration of primate species in Africa. Kibale forest national park is also one of the significant ecotourism safari destinations well known for habituated beautiful endangered chimpanzees and other primate species like red colobus monkeys and rare L’Hoest monkeys.

Best time of visiting Kibale national park.

Best time of visiting Kibale national park is open all through the year and most importantly in the dry season in the months of December through January and June to July. This is because the park trails are always dry and too good for hiking through making chimpanzee trekking more enjoyable and fascinating.

June and September are the actual peak season of tourism so anytime of the year during these months, a tourist could have the best extra ordinary safari in Kibale forest national park.

Cost of permits:

The cost of Chimpanzee tracking for foreign residents is $250 and East African residents is 180000 Uganda shillings. Cost of Chimpanzee habituation for foreign residents is $300 and East African residents is 250000 Uganda shillings.

 Activities in Kibale National Park:

Chimpanzee tracking:

This is the most done activity in Kibale national park. Chimpanzee tracking involves walking through the jungles of rain forests in search of the extraordinary chimpanzees in their natural habitats. Trekking normally takes 2-5 hours depending on the location of the primates and accompanied by knowledgeable park guides, rangers and porters that assist in everything. When the chimpanzees are found, tourists are given one hour to spend/ in presence of the chimpanzees to see them feed the young ones, see their behaviours and take photos of everlasting memories.

With chimpanzee habituation, tourists spend more time with the endangered chimpanzees.

Bigodi wetland sanctuary:

Bigodi wetland sanctuary is a jungle swamp mainly known as a project to the local community in preservation of nature and improving people’s standards of living. When tourists visit the swamp, they get a chance of getting free bird watching, view different mammal species and beautiful vegetation cover. A walk-through Bigodi swamp is usually done after chimpanzee trekking, which normally takes 2-3 hours walking through the wetlands with papyrus roads and palm trees. The money collected from the swamp is used in building schools, water accessibilities, health centres and general infrastructure of villages.

Birding:

Kibale forest national park harbours over 150 bird species with limitless sightings of different birds.  Bird watching in Kibaale normally starts at 7:00 am in the morning accompanied by an experienced birder, binoculars with snacks and mineral water. Most of the birds are always spotted around like white spotted flufftail, white tailed ant thrush, black and white snake flycatcher, superb sunbird and yellow billed barbet.

Crater lakes visit:

Crater lakes are found within the western rift valley region in south-western Uganda. The lakes are accessible by fort portal, and these are not found in Kibale National Park but are found on the premises of the park. The crater lakes have the most stunning and spectacular views with extraordinary camping grounds that offer the best wild experiences.

Visit Amabere ga nyina mwiru:

The phrase “Amabere-ga-nyina mwiru” is unchanged. Nyina Mwiru is a culturally significant landmark with a notable historical background situated in the town of Fort Portal in western Uganda. You have the option to visit Semuliki National Park for a birding safari or to explore the hot springs. Alternatively, you can visit Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking or Queen Elizabeth National Park for a wildlife safari and boat excursion. This rock is formed by the process of stalagmite and stalactite development, which is of interest to geographers. However, we can appreciate the cultural legends associated with this cave. The location is situated amidst a cluster of trees and a stunning waterfall.

These rocks have a significant cultural heritage and form caves with streams of water above them, resulting in beautiful waterfalls that are refreshing. The Batoro tribe, residing in this region, holds a profound belief associated with these caverns, which is accompanied by a captivating narrative that has been passed down through generations. The caverns were named “Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru,” which translates to “Breasts of Nyina Mwiru,” after King Bukuku’s daughter. King Bukuku was a prominent ruler of the Batembuzi Dynasty, an ancient dynasty that held power during that era. The followers of the dynasty regarded their kings as semi-divine beings, who would occasionally vanish underground. The princess was an exquisite young woman with a formidable personality. She declined to wed the man that her father, the King, had selected for her, as was customary at the time, opting instead to select her own life partner.

This tremendously enraged the King and his subjects, who were unable to comprehend how anyone could defy the King. Subsequently, the King commanded the removal of her breasts as a consequence of her defiance. This action would effectively prevent her from entering into matrimony with any suitor of her choice and render her incapable of breastfeeding offspring. There is a prevailing belief that the picturesque rocks in this area resemble the shape of a woman’s breasts, symbolizing the act of lactation.

On this website, you have the opportunity to embark on a trip to Nyakasura hill. This hike offers panoramic views of three distinct crater lakes. Additionally, you may explore the marking of a big foot in the region, which is thought to have belonged to one of the last individuals from the Batembuzi dynasty, who were known for their gigantic stature.