Kibale Forest National Park is situated in Western Uganda, near the town of Fort Portal, and is famed for its chimpanzees. The park is famous for its chimpanzees, and many people come here for chimp tracking. Some of the best birding in central Africa is here too. The Kasese Crater Lakes are in the area.

Understand

Chimpanzee at Kibale Forest National Park

History

There is a great deal of history around Kibale National Park, which was first designated by the British in 1932 as a logged forest region. The British employed the forest to collect hardwood while also preserving the woodland’s natural authenticity. Also, they gathered the forest’s wild coffee. The British cleared the area of the hardwood trees before planting the forest with the exotic trees. The 1950 building of the kilembe copper mines in the town of Kasese increased the demand for hardwood timber. All these things lead to the existence, and formation of the famous kibale forest into a conservation area for the kanyanchu chimpanzees which had been endangered hence favouring chimpanzee trekking in Uganda today.

Kibale Forest was established as a forest reserve by the British in 1948. The British continued to clear the forest of trees, but they also planted exotic tree species where the trees had been removed. Kibale Forest Reserve was, nevertheless, formally designated as Kibale National Park in 1993. The Uganda National Parks (UNP) assumed management of the national park in 1994, and they were in charge of all the conservation efforts in the forest.

The government agency in charge of Uganda’s Kibale National Park and other national parks was established in 1996. The Uganda wildlife authority was created after the Uganda national parks and another entity known as the game department of Uganda combined (UWA). The management and facilitation of wildlife protection and management within Kibale National Park was taken up by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has been quite forward-thinking in its efforts to preserve the forest and update bag authenticity.

Climate

Kibale National Park has a humid and mild climate. The temperature is nearly constant throughout the year. The average daily high is 27°C (81°F), and the average low is 15°C (59°F) at night.

Kibale doesn’t have a true dry season; rain can fall at any time. Nonetheless, June and July tend to be drier than December through February. There are two wet seasons: August through November and March to May. Bringing waterproof clothing is advised.

Dry season

Even though these are the driest months, rain is probable in December, January, and February. The time is ideal for chimpanzee hiking. Average daytime highs are 28°C (82°F), and overnight lows are around 14°C (57°F).

June and July – Although it is often dry throughout this period, there is still a chance of rain, maybe lasting several days. The typical temperature ranges from 15°C/59°F in the early morning to 27°C/81°F in the afternoon.

Wet season

Wet weather is typical in March, April, and May, with April seeing the most rainfall. Chimpanzee trekking can be difficult since the woodland trails can get slick.

These four months—August, September, October, and November—are the wettest of the year. For use on the access roads, a 4WD vehicle is required. The maximum temperature is around 27°C/81°F, and the lowest temperature on average is 15°C/59°F.

Park information

• Kibale Forest National Park website

Fees and permits

• Entrance to the park - US$30
• Chimpanzee Tracking - US$250 for foreign non-residents, US$200 foreign residents, USh 180,000 for citizens of Uganda

Do

• Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) is organized by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). A day-long activity where the participant tracks, in a small group with an armed UWA ranger, habituated chimpanzees. Typically the tracking group will set out just before dawn locating the chimpanzees by their pant hoots. Observation of the chimpanzees can last until nightfall. At times the tracking is fast paced over forest jungle.

Sleep

Lodging

• Treehouse in Kibale Forest is part of the UWA accommodations at Kibale and is literally on poles some ten metres up overlooking a mud wallow and seasonal watering hole. Great opportunity to see rare forest elephants. Secluded. If you are willing to climb the ladder to the room, this is a real treat.

Camping

• Primate Lodge in Kibale forest has camping grounds available with an outdoor open block shower.

Go next

• Fort Portal is the nearest town.
• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park