Located in South Western part of Uganda, nestled beneath Mount Rwenzori in the Albertine Rift Valley, lies Kibale National Park. It is roughly 17 kilometers from fort portal city and an estimate of 28 kilometers from Kamwenge town, as the nearest towns to the Park. The drive from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala city to the Park is estimated to take 5-6 hours along Kampala-Fort Portal road via Mubende district.

Endowed with 13 primate species, among which are the Chimpanzees that carry the most interest to the visitors in the Park. The Park inhabits a population of over 1500 individuals, for which some are habituated and others, wild. A community of 150 members is habituated for tracking as other groups are under research for habituation.

The size of the Park is estimated to cover 795 kilometers squared with an interconnected corridor to Queen Elizabeth National Park which permits free movement of animals from one park to the other. It is largely covered with both Montane and Low land forests hence contributing to the diversity of wildlife inhabiting in the park. It is home to over 350 bird species among which are endemic birds like the green breasted Pitta, Dusky Crimsonwing, Masked Apalis and others. Animals like forest Elephants and Leopards, different species of snakes are all residents in the park.

What to do when in Kibale National Park

Chimpanzee Tracking

Kibale National Park is famously known for its highest population of chimpanzees in the World hence the nickname “Primate Capital of the World”. The activity is conducted in Kanyanchu where the visitor’s Information Centre is located. This is along Fort Portal-Kamwenge road, 17 kilometers from Fort Portal and roughly 7 kilometers while driving through the forest from the boundaries of the park. Tracking resumes at exactly 8:00 AM with briefing before heading to the forest and estimated to last for 2-4 hours depending on how far or close the chimps are sighted. Chimpanzee viewing lasts for only an hour. Chances are always high to see our distant cousins that we share 98% DNA. Chimpanzees can be sighted either in the trees feeding or on ground.

Preparation

Make sure your permits were purchased before the tracking day so as to avoid inconveniences. With you, carry a face mask which you will have to wear when you get to the chimpanzees, enough water for drinking, packed lunch in case the lodge you are residing is a distance away and insect repellant. This therefore calls for a backpack to carry your necessities. Nature blending colors are recommended during the activity and endeavor to wear trousers, long sleeved shirts or blouse, a hut and closed shoes. The terrain is relatively flat, however you are advised to wear hiking boots to avoid slipping and bites from unknown bugs.

Forest Night Walks

Guided Forest Night walks are conducted from Kanyanchu visitor’s information Centre. They resume at exactly 7:00 PM. The activity is meant to disclose the unique lifestyle of nocturnal wildlife. Such animals are the Bush babies, Pottos and Tree Hyrax among others. Animals like Forest Elephants, Buffaloes, and Leopards can also be sighted on a lucky day. The ambiance of the forest during the night, creates a unique experience as you listen to different sounds of nature for which some, you may be unable to see. The activity is always guided by an armed ranger. You are advised to carry a flash light, apply insect repellent, wear trousers, long sleeved shirts or blouse and closed shoes. It takes 1-2 hours.

Chimpanzee Habituation experience

Participate in habituating wild Chimpanzees. Before Chimpanzees are ready for tracking, they undergo a process of familiarization with human for 4-6 years. It is therefore an experience of its kind to join the researchers for half a day or even more and witness how habituation is conducted. The activity resumes earlier at 6:30 AM and ends late between 12 and 2 PM.  

Bird Watching

Kibale National Park is a bird Haven for bird watchers. It is estimated to harbor over 350 bird species. Forest birds like the Black bee eater, Green breasted Pitta and Nahan’s Patridge among other endemics, are residents. There are 6 Albertine endemic bird species in the Park, making it a must visit for bird watchers. The thick canopy of the forest provides shade for bird watching throughout the day. However, some shy birds like the Green breasted Pitta, require an early start to have better chances of sighting. Ranger Bird Guides are always available at Kanyanchu visitor’s information Centre to enhance chances of watching more.

Murchison Falls National Park

History

It is the largest and oldest National Park, located in the Northwestern part of Uganda, covering an area of 3893 square Kilometers. The park was gazzeted in 1952 and upgraded from a game reserve that was known as Bunyoro-Gulu game reserve to a national Park. The Park’s name was derived from Murchison Falls, the falls that were named after Sir Roderick Murchison, a Scottish geologist that was a member of the British Royal geographers. It is the British Explorers Sir Samuel Baker and his wife Florence Baker that awarded him the honors. In the 1970’s under the presidency of Iddi Amin, the park’s name was changed to Kabalega National Park in commemoration of the local fierce King who had defied the colonial rule in his Kingdom called Omukama Kabalega hence the name Kabalega National Park. The park regained its former name after the overthrow of Amin’s government.

Attractions and Activities

Budongo Forest

Murchison falls national is bisected into two parts by the Nile River creating the southern and the Northern banks. The southern bank is mostly covered by the tropical rain forest and the savannah woodlands.

Budongo forest is part of the park and one of the largest forests in the country inhabiting a variety of wildlife, including one of the highest populations of Chimpanzees, endemic forest bird species, Butterflies, different monkey species like the black and white Colobus , Red tailed, Grey cheeked, vervet monkeys and many others. Elephants and Buffalos can be sighted as well,

The major activities carried out in the southern bank of the park are chimpanzee tracking, Forest walks and Bird watching.

Chimpanzee tracking  

The second largest population of chimpanzees in Uganda are found in Budongo Forest within Murchison Falls National Park. The activity is carried out in the morning and afternoon sessions depending on the suitable schedule of the clients. Tracking takes between two to five hours depending on how far or closer the chimpanzees may be located. Every group of Tourists has a maximum of eight people and Guided by a ranger.

In preparation of chimpanzee tracking, nature blending clothes like long sleeved shirts, Trousers, closed shoes, huts, face masks, insect repellent, rain jackets, water and food must be put into consideration. A backpack therefore may be required to carry some of the items.

Murchison Falls

The falls are believed to be the most powerful in the world! This can be described by the largest outlet of Lake Victoria which is the Victoria Nile that traverses over 300 kilometers to get to a narrow gorge of 7 meters wide and 43 feet beneath before the rapids of waters on a high speed congesting itself into a path to create an uproar of a waterfall with always a trademark of a rainbow before flowing smoothly on the lower side of the river bed. Murchison falls are one of the highlights of a trip to Uganda!

Game Safaris

The park boosts of over 140 mammal species, 455 bird species, 50 reptiles and many more, with highest numbers of animal concentration in an area amongst all the parks. It is definitely a place to go for safaris! Herds of Elephants can be encountered, Buffalos, prides of Lions and higher chances of seeing Leopards.

Boat cruises

Sun set and delta cruises are conducted on the Nile river since it crosses through the park. The river being the main source of water, a variety of animal species, birds and reptiles come on the shores to cool off and drink when it’s hot. Animals like Giraffes, Hippos, crocodiles, Elephants and many bird species are encountered.

Sun set cruises take an average of 3 hours for which they commence at 2 Pm and end at 5 Pm while Delta cruises begin in the morning at 7 AM and end at 11 AM. The Delta cruise takes 5 hours and majorly includes the shoebill Stork search. A variety of other birds are always encountered and different kinds of animal species.

Sport fishing

For those interested in sport fishing, Murchison falls National Park is a haven for Anglers! A variety of fish species ranging from Nile perch, Cat fish, Tilapia, Lung fish and many others are permanent residents. The favorite among all has always been the Nile Perch due to its large size. The largest to have ever been caught weighed 114 kilograms.

Expectations and Requirements

The activity is carried out on the Nile River and takes a full day or half depending on the Angler’s wish per session. You can as well decide to fish of 2-3 days or even more. It is always advisable to carry your own equipment in case the one available does not suit your preference.

Food and drinking water are always provided during the activity. Other requirements like huts, insect repellent, lotions to prevent sun bans and any other personal necessities are advisable to be carried for the smooth running of the activity.

An experienced fishing guide is provided to help in any kind of set up required and usage of his local knowledge in finding suitable sites for better catches.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

History of Park

Located in south western part of Uganda, whose boundaries are shared with other parks like Virunga National Park of congo and Kibale forest National Park. The interconnection of the parks facilitates the movement of wildlife from one park to the other hence creating a Bio Corridor.

The Park was gazzetted in 1952 under the names of Kazinga National Park before being renamed to Queen Elizabeth National Park in 1954. This was in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II visit In the Park.

It covers an area of 1978 kilometers squared, ranking it the second largest park in Uganda after Murchison Falls National Park.

It is home to 95 mammal species and the highest number of birds in Uganda which is an average of 612 species. The conducive habitat ranging from the savannah grass land, woodland, Tropical rainforests and wetlands significantly influenced their existence in higher numbers.

Attractions of Queen Elizabeth National Park

The tree climbing lions  

In the southern part of the park, game safaris are always concentrated on searching for the tree climbing lions. It is a unique behavior that is rarely sighted in other parks. Prides of Lions can be seen in the branches of fig trees relaxing. This normally occurs during the afternoon when it’s hot. They have adopted to climbing in fig trees so as to have a better shade, cool breeze, sight at the far horizon and running away from flies on ground.

Boat cruise at Kazinga Channel

The boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park is famously known for the abundance of wildlife along the shores of the channel. Animals like buffalos, Herds of Elephants, Hippos, Crocodiles and bird species like Kingfishers, Eagles, cormorants, storks and many others can be sighted at a closer range too.

Some cruises are public while others private depending on the wish of the clients.

Nature walks

Protected by Armed Rangers, Nature walks are carried out in different areas of the park like Kyambura gorge, Mweya Peninsula and imaramagambo forest among other places. During the activity, wildlife expected to be encountered are primate species like black and white colobus monkeys, Red Tailed monkeys, Vervet monkeys, animals like Elephants, Hippos, Buffalos, Waterbucks  and a variety of colorful bird species. The activity draws you closer to nature like never before! You experience details of wildlife around you and appreciate the fresh breeze and sounds of nature. Wildlife is encountered up close and personal!

Chimpanzee tracking

Kyambura Gorge, a 16 kilometers long and over 100 feet beneath gorge, their lies a forest in which one of the inhabitants are the chimpanzees. A river crosses through the gorge and inhabits crocodiles, Hippos, Buffalos and Elephants as some of the residents of the forest. The uniqueness of tracking chimpanzees in this little known but magical forest is that you encounter a variety of wildlife as mentioned above and other primate species like Black and white colobus monkeys, vervet, red tailed and the scenic views of the gorge! The gorge ranks among the “must do” activities during the visit in the park.

 Bird Watching

With the population of bird species within the park for which it ranks as the first in Uganda, it’s without doubt a bird haven for bird watchers. An average of 612 bird species is no match for any park within the country. Savannah, Tropical forest and wetland birds are among the inhabitants of Queen Elizabeth National Park. A number of migratory birds find their way to the park in big flocks hence boosting the population increase of species as mentioned. The Intra-African and Palearctic birds however, are seasonal birds that find their way to the park due to either scarcity of food or bad weather in the countries of origin.  Some fly from as far as Europe and other African countries. Some of the Palearctic birds are the Terns, Bee eaters and Gulls among others while for the Intra African migrants are the African skimmers, Flamingos among others.

Volcanic crater exploration

The park is well known for the scenic landscapes attributed to the existence of enormous volcanic explosion craters in different regions. Some of the craters are dry while others wet. In the areas of dry craters, the scenic views of different vegetation covers or zones within the same area live you speechless on how it’s possible to have different patches of forests in the craters surrounded by the endless savanna plains! When you almost thought that it can’t get better than what you have already witnessed, the wet craters (crater lakes) are mind blowing! Queen Elizabeth National Park crater lakes are regarded as some of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Lake Kamengo stands out as one of the top ten! Salt lakes like Katwe, Bunyampaka and Nyamununka are among the crater lakes within the park.

Lake Katwe

It is the largest salt lake in Uganda that has served the local people and the rest of the country for centuries. The salt is harvested by use of local methods for which salt crystals and salt rock particles are produced. In the production of salt crystals, Salt ponds are created to trap salty water so that when the sun heats, evaporation takes place hence a salt cream is created. The salt cream is ploughed off depending on the thickness and piled. The process is repeated daily so as to increase productivity. Salt harvesting is seasonal and the production is at its highest peak during the dry season. The same method is used in Bunyampaka salt lake. Nyamununka crater has no salt mining activity carried out because of high concentration of sulphur. However some animals like buffalos can be sighted at the lake wallowing in the salty mud trying to heal themselves from self-inflicted wounds.