Kibale forest national park is one of Uganda’s hidden treasures located in western Uganda. It is famous for hosting the highest number of chimpanzees in Africa with over 1,500 primates. The park also provides habitat to avian life where about 370 bird species are recorded with some rarities not found elsewhere in the world. Kibale national park is mostly visited for chimpanzee trekking, but as a nature enthusiast it is important to partake the birding experience in Kibale forest national park. You can combine chimpanzee trekking experience with birding since the park has vibrant avian life. Kibale national park is composed of different vegetation types including thick forests, open woodlands, swamps and wetlands and these prove the best accommodation to the birds in the park. As a bird lover, once you encounter beautiful bird species in Kibale, you will be left in the awe state.
Kibale national park has a recorded number of birds to be 370 bird species however, new research shows that the park accommodates about 602 bird species and these are mostly forest birds. The verdant vegetation of the park provides accommodation to most of the birds that are hardly seen elsewhere in the world. Kibale national park has a unique famous species called the Green-breasted Pitta. This bird species wears yellow, black and red and it is loved by most ornithologists. The park is not only the home to this species but to vibrant gems that loiter in the park ass available for you to explore.
Kibale national park is within the Albertine Rift valley which is a home to Albertine endemics making the park one of the best birding paradise in Uganda as a whole. Most of the birders once they reach Kibale national park, they do not wish to leave they bargain with time. Some will engage in chimpanzee trekking, golden cat tracking in Kibale national park, cultural tours, hiking, guide nature walks and birding as well. Some of the Albertine endemics found in Kibale forest national park include; dusky crimsonwing passerines with rufous crowns and white cheeks, red-faced woodland warblers, white collared Apalis, blue-headed bee eater, Cassin’s Spinetail, masked Apalis and Nahan’s Francolin. Some species have never been seen elsewhere outside Kibale national park. With such breathtaking imagination of the avian life in the park, you feel the only choice is to do birding in Kibale national park.
Best Birding Spots in the Park
You can have an encounter with different bird species in the park however there are two main recommended spots in Kibale national park where you can maximize bird watching. These are Kanyanchu sector and Bigodi wetland.
Kanyanchu Sector
Kanyanchu is also known as the guest information center where chimpanzee trekking briefing is done. Kanyanchu is also known as the best birding spot in the park much as it is famous as the main trail to find habituated chimpanzees. Kanyanchu sector is famous for hosting species such as blue-throated roller, black bee-eater, masked Apalis, Narina trogon, greenbul, yellow-spotted Tinkerbird, spackled Tinkerbird among others.
Bigodi Wetland
Bigodi wetland is located at the boundary of the park and it is a community managed project hosting over 200 bird species. Some of the bird species in Bigodi wetland include; papyrus Gonolek, white-winged warbler, papyrus canary, secretive white-spotted flufftail, great blue turaco, shinning blue-kingfisher among others.
How to Get to Kibale Forest National Park?
You can get to Kibale national park by both road transport and Air transport.
Road Transport: Kibale national park in located in western Uganda and it is about 5 to 6hours drive from Kampala the capital city of Uganda.
Air Transport: Travelers who have a limited time but still want to explore the beauty of Kibale national park can fly from Entebbe to Kasese airstrip and it is about 1hour and 30minutes drive to the park or Nyakisharara airstrip in Mbarara where you drive for about 2hours.
Where to stay in Kibale Forest National Park?
There are a number of budget lodges in Kibale forest national park which can give you the best comfort during your birding or chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park. The park has accommodation that ranges from luxury, midrange and low budget accommodation. Depending on your travel budget, you can reach out to Omangwa Safaris Ltd to negotiate for you the fair rates since we have concessions with most of the hotels and lodges in the tourist destinations in Uganda. Some of these lodges include; Chimpundu lodge, Primate Safari lodge, Kyaninga lodge, Ndali lodge, Isunga lodge among others.
