Kibale Forest National Park Bird Watching
Bird Watching within National Park Kibale Forest: One of the most often visited national parks in western Uganda’s Kabarole district is Kibale Forest National Park. Among other creatures like forest elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, bushbucks, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, 13 primate species—including approximately 1,500 chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys—are famously found in the national park.
One of the top birding sites in Uganda, Kibale National Park boasts over 370 known bird species including 23 Albertine rift endemics, woodland birds, and migratory bird species. An experienced bird guide will assist you to identify various bird species including Low-land Masked Apalis, Blue Headed Bee-eater, African Pitta, Ruwenzori Apalis, Cassin’s Spinetail, Nahan’s Francolin, Great Blue Turaco, Black-faced Apalis, Giant Kingfisher, Woodland Kingfisher, Little Greenbul, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher,
When should one visit Kibale Forest National Park for bird watching safaris?
Though the optimum time is during the low/rainy season in the months of March to May and September to November, bird watching in kibale forest national park may be done all year round. During this period you will be able to witness vivid and migratory bird species.
Bird viewing in Kibale forest national park can also be done in the dry season between June and August and December to February since less rainfall in the national park will result in dry and passable bird viewing paths.
Monitoring Birds in Kibale Forest National Park
Where in Kibale Forest National Park should you stay during your bird watching safari?
Several lodging options in Kibale Forest National Park let you remain during your bird viewing safari.
How one can reach the national park Kibale Forest?
Located in western portion of Uganda, Kibale Forest National Park may be reached by road from Kampala/Entebbe via Mubende, Fort Portal road or Masaka Mbarara road and thereafter to the park headquarters, roughly six to seven hours’ journey in a safari vehicle.
By air, you can also visit Kibale Forest National Park; you will organize or charter domestic flights with Aerolink Uganda from Entebbe international airport to Kasese airfield and subsequently connect to the park headquarters, approximately two hours’ drive away.
From Queen Elizabeth national park, you can also enter Kibale forest national park; from Lake Mburo national park, you can access Kibale; from Bwindi impenetrable national park, you can visit Kibale around six to seven hours’ driving.
Other pursuits within Kibale Forest National Park
Apart from bird viewing, kibale forest national park offers other interesting activities that visitors could engage in during the safari including chimpanzee trekking where you will spend one hour with the chimpanzees, guided nature walk/hiking where you will get up-close and personal with different wildlife species, chimpanzee habituation experience whereby you will spend four hours with the chimpanzees, night nature walk whereby you will explore the forest at night, cultural tour whereby you will interact with the local people in the neighboring villages among others.
Items to pack for your birding tour in Kibale national park
When embarking on a birding safari in Kibale forest national park, you should pack hiking shoes, waterproof rain jacket, long sleeved clothing, field guidebook, camera and extra batteries, binoculars, wide brimmed hat, waterproof back pack or field bag, energy snacks and drinkable water among others.
Visit our website for further details regarding bird viewing in Kibale forest national park. Various safari packages can help you here.
