This is the most accessible of Ugandas major rainforests, and is home to a remarkable 13 primate species, including the much localised Red Colobus and L’Hoests Monkey. Kibales major attraction, however, is the opportunity to track habituated chimps. These delightful apes, more closely related to humans than to any other living creature, are tremendous fun to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees. A network of shady forest trails provides much to delight botanists and butterfly lovers, while birders are in for a treat with 335 species recorded including the endemic Prirogrines Ground Thrush. The elusive forest elephant, smaller and hairier than its savannah counterpart, moves seasonally into the developed part of the park, while other terrestrial mammals include buffalo, giant forest hog and a half dozen antelope species.
What to do:
Chimpanzee tracking is the main tourist activity here. There is a well-established Chimpanzee-tracking program with a high success rate. Forest walks will also reveal other primates like Guereza Colobus, Olive Baboon, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, L’Hoests Gentle (Blue) and Red-tailed Monkeys, etc. You may also find evidence of Elephant, Bush Pig and Bufalo along the trails, whilst Bushbuck, Blue, Harveys and Peters Duickers are other shy inhabitants of the forest interior. Birders should not miss out on Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a superb community development fringing the park. A field of beautiful crater lakes lies between Fort Portal and Kibale Forest.
Where to stay:
For the up market option, there is Kibale Guest Cottages and Ndali lodge. For the mid range, one can stay in Chimpanzee Guesthouse, Chimps Nest Lodge, and Kibale Forest Camp. For the budget traveler, there is Crater Valley Kibale. For the camper, there are various options in and around Kibale.