Kibale Forest

Located in western Uganda and neighboring Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park was gazetted in 1934 and established in 1993 to protect a large expanse of forest. It is also part of a 180km long corridor between the two parks that facilitates animal migrations. Kibale National Park is renowned for its abundance of primates, with 13 different species, the most numerous and diverse of any park in Africa. Its inhabitants include the L’Hoest’s monkey, the endangered red colobus monkey, the black & white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabeys, bush babies, and potto. The star attraction of the park is the Chimpanzee, which has been tracked by tourists on guided nature walks since 1933. The most popular activity in the park is the Kanyanchu Primate Walk.

The Bigodi Nature Walk offers the best birdwatching opportunities and the chance to spot 325 different avian species, including 6 endemics to the Albertine Rift area, such as the dusky Crimsonwing, black-capped apalis, blue-headed Sunbird, collared Apalis, red-faced woodland warbler and purple-breasted Sunbird. As well as birds, the park is home to numerous mammals, amphibians and reptiles, although these are rarely seen. Immerse yourself in the local culture by joining in community walks and taking part in traditional dances and storytelling with the native Batoro and Bakiga tribes. You can also explore the stunning landscape of the 50 different crater lakes, which are surrounded by steep-sided volcanoes.