This vast expanse of forest provides the location for Kibale’s most popular activity – tracking chimpanzees! The mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, 351 species in total, is home to a broad range of primates, but man’s closest relative is the star of the show. In fact, Kibale boasts the highest density of chimps in Africa, and is considered one of the continent’s best destinations for tracking the furry fellows. It really is an amazing experience – highly recommended by YZ.
Kibale’s overall area is 766 square kilometers, and its elevation ranges from 1,100 meters to 1,600 meters. In 1932 it was gazetted, and in 1993 the park was officially established with the aim of protecting a large tract of forest that had been used for logging. To this day, it has both lowland and montane forests, a very unusual feature worldwide.
Wildlife
The park contains a grand total of 13 primate species, including chimps, black-and-white colobus monkey, red colobus monkey, blue monkey, and L’Hoest’s monkey. There are also red and blue duikers, bushbuck, bushpig, warthog, giant forest hog, and buffalo. As well as all the forest dwellers, Kibale has lion, leopard, golden cat, serval, mongoose, and otters. And an abundance of elephants travel between this park and Queen Elizabeth N.P. – look out for the grey guys, trundling through.
The bird count of Kibale is equally impressive. In total, there are 325 species of the feathery friends here, including six that are native to the Albertine Rift. These six are black-capped apalis, collared apalis, blue-headed sunbird, purple-breasted sunbird, dusky crimsonwing, and red-faced woodland warbler. Keen birders can also expect to see crowned eagle, African pitta, green-breasted pitta, brown-chested alethe, yellow-rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, black bee-eater, and blue-breasted kingfisher - Kibale really is a very colorful place to be.
Activities in Kibale National Park
Many other exciting activities are available in Kibale. The majority of the properties we sell in the park offer forest walks, providing opportunities for travelers to get to know all the wildlife – great and small – who have their homes here. As well as the rainforest, other geographical features in and around the park provide plenty more things to do. Crater lake walks… lake kayaking… swamp trails… mountain climbing… if you are looking for adventure, Kibale is an excellent option.