Birding in Kibale forest national park

In the Kibale Forest National Park, which is home to more than 375 bird species, birding is an activity that may be done in many locations. Guides who know where to find the various bird species and how to go to the best birding locations in the area accompany tourists who are birdwatching at Kibale Forest National Park.

The Kanyanchu Visitor Center serves as the beginning point for birding trips in Kibale National Park. After receiving a briefing, visitors head into the forest to look for various bird species. The tourists begin their birdwatching experience as early as 7:00 am.

The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, which is home to more than 138 bird species, is one of the well-liked birding locations in the Kibale Forest National Park area. During park visits, endemic bird species are also visible.

Kibale Forest National Park, which is well-known for chimpanzee excursions, is home to 13 different kinds of primates. Visitors to the national park can engage with the chimpanzees in their natural environment and experience chimpanzee trekking and habituation. Vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys are among the other primates that may be found in the location.

Birding trips in Kibale woodland, which is also home to rare bird species, offer the chance to witness a variety of woodland birds. The Green Breasted Pitta, Great Blue Turaco, Cassin’s Spine Tail, Blue-headed bee eater, Nahan’s Francolin, and Masked Apalis are a few of the uncommon birds that may be seen in the national park.

The Abyssinian ground thrush, Crowned eagle, Dusky crimsoning, Northern Puffback, and other bird species are found in the Kibale Forest National Park. Collared Apalis, Double Toothed Barbet, Black-capped Apalis, Black bee-eater, Little Greenbul, Black-eared ground thrush, Rameron Pigeon, Yellow-spotted Nicator, and Grey-green Bush Shrike Alethe with a brown chest, Purple-headed Starling, Blue-breasted kingfisher and yellow-rumped tinker bird, Ash flycatcher, Abyssinian ground thrush, Speckled Mousebird, Alpine swift, Black-crowned Tchagra, African wood owl, Oriole with a black head, African Grey Parrot, Barn Swallow, Black and White Shrike Flycatcher, African dusky flycatcher, Black-billed weaver, Black-billed Turaco, Citril in the West, Red Fronted Barbet, Guinea fowl with a helm, Bronze Sunbird, Blue-throated Roller, Zebra Waxbill, Swamp Greenbul, Grey-winged Robin, Brown-eared Woodpecker, African-pied wagtail, Cameroon Sombre Greenbul, Africa Fire Finch, White-breasted Nigrita, Red-faced Crimsonwing, Quailfinch, Grey-headed Oliveback, Black-bellied Seedcracker, White-chinned Prinia, Red-winged Grey warbler, Among these are the African Thrush, Brown Twinspot, Bronze Manikin, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Olive-green Camaroptera, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Black-faced Apalis, and Singing Cisticola.

Visitors can take advantage of four-hour guided birding tours around the Bigodi wetlands, which are hosted by locals and hunt for a variety of bird species. When visiting Kibale National Park, visitors can also engage with the locals in Bigodi. The Kanyanchu route is another path that is used for bird watching in the Kibale Forest National Park.

Forests, woodlands, and wetland areas make up the habitat types of the bird species that can be found in Kibale National Park. Among the things to bring for the destination’s birdwatching experience are binoculars and a field handbook.

Kibale Forest National Park birdwatching

Blue-throated Roller Kibale Forest National Park’s prime season for birdwatching

Although you may go bird watching in Kibale Forest National Park at any time of year, November through April are the ideal times to see the species.

at the dry season, which runs from June to October, tours to Kibale Forest National Park are also possible, at which time visitors can see a variety of primates while exploring the woodlands.

Kibale Forest National Park offers other activities.

In addition to birdwatching, visitors can partake in a variety of other activities while on safari in Kibale Forest National Park, such as the following:

Trekking chimpanzees

A popular activity in Uganda is chimpanzee trekking, which takes place in Kibale Forest National Park in the morning and afternoon.

Before beginning the chimpanzee trekking experience, visitors receive a briefing at the Kanyanchu park headquarters. It takes three to four hours for travelers to seek for chimpanzees in their natural habitat under the guidance of guides.

During the chimpanzee hike in Kibale National Park, visitors spend an hour with the primates in their natural environment. Trekking around the location requires a permit, which costs $250 USD.

Because there are only a few chimpanzee trekking and habituation licenses available in Kibale Forest National Park, visitors are encouraged to make reservations in advance through authorized tour operators. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) issues these permits.

Habituatedness in chimpanzees

Chimpanzee habituation experiences are another activity that is done during visits of Kibale Forest National Park.

Visitors can spend a full day interacting with chimpanzees in their natural environment in Kibale Forest National Park through chimpanzee habituation sessions. Through this program, visitors can spend four hours with chimpanzees while also introducing them to humans in their natural environment.

The cost of a permit to participate in the chimpanzee habituation experience at Kibale Forest National Park is approximately 300 USD for foreign visitors, 250 USD for foreign residents, and 300,000 Uganda shillings for East African nationals.

Nature walks with a guide

In Kibale Forest National Park, guided nature walks provide a unique opportunity to interact with primates and bird species while fostering a sense of connection with the natural world.

Ranger guides who are familiar with the forest’s routes lead the activity. During the two to three-hour nature walks, visitors can observe several primate species while touring the national park.

During tours of the Kibale Forest National Park, nature walks are available in the morning and afternoon.