Kibale Forest Birding Tours
Kibale Forest Birding Tours makes Kibale National Park, the primate capital of the world, a top birding destination in Uganda, offering exceptional birding safaris. Established in 1993, the park is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and is located in western Uganda, south of Fort Portal town in Kabarole District, approximately 344 km from Kampala. Birdwatching in Kibale Forest National Park is the second most popular activity, with over 372 species of birds, 6 of which are endemic to the forest. Nature walks with a well-trained guide can help spot these diverse bird species.
Certain bird species have been observed in the park that are not found in other protected areas in Uganda. These include Cassine’s Spinetail, Masked Apalis, Blue-headed Bee-eater, and Nahan’s Francolin. Birdwatchers can observe a range of bird species in the park as migrating birds arrive from November to April.
Bird species to see in Kibale Forest National Park
Birds to see in Kibale National Park include Abyssinian Ground Thrush, African Pitta, yellow-rumped tinker bird, Green-breasted Pitta, Africa Shrike flycatcher, Dusky Crimson Wing, Black-capped Apalis, African Black-headed Oriole, Black-crowned Tchagra, White Collared Olive, Chubb’s cisticola, Cameroon Sombre Greenbul, African Emerald Cuckoo, African-pied Wagtail, Ban Swallow, Blue-throated Roller, Brown-eared woodpecker, zebra waxbill, blue-throated roller, African dusky flycatcher, African Green Pigeon, blue-throated roller, Black-billed weaver, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Blue-capped waxbill, African black-headed oriole, Black-billed Turaco.
Bird lovers get the chance to spot several bird species along guided forest walks or nature walks, which are the primary spots of birding in Kibale Forest. Hiking trips are enhanced by the distinctive and easily improved walking pathways in Kibale Forest, which allow birdwatchers to see a variety of unique bird species.
The premier birding location is Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, where tourists are led on a 4-hour walking track by site birding guides from the community project in search of a variety of bird species. An expert birding guide who knows the best birding trails for visitors, especially bird enthusiasts, leads birding trips in Kibale Forest starting at 7:00 am from the park’s visitor centre in Kanyanchu.
Best time to do birding in Kibale Forest
Kibale National Park offers year-round birdwatching opportunities. However, March through May and September through November, which are rainy season months, are the best times to go birdwatching in Kibale National Park since there is an abundance of food and fruits that draw many bird species during this nesting season.
However, the dry season, which spans from June to August and December to February, is another time of the year when birding is possible in Kibale Forest National Park. The trekking routes are always dry, clear, with short vegetation cover, and easily accessible, providing clear views of wildlife, including a variety of bird species. This makes it an ideal time of the year for tourists who want to combine chimpanzee trekking with birding excursions.
Primates to see during Kibale Forest Birding Tours
In addition to being a haven for birdwatchers, Kibale Forest is home to the rare primates, including the red-tailed monkey, red colobus monkey, L’Hoest monkey, black and white colobus monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, bush babies, and others. It is famous for having the largest concentration of chimpanzees in Uganda. However, chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation experiences are the main reasons visitors come to the park to see these rare primates.
How to access Kibale National Park?
Following Kibale Forest birding tours, visitors who are planning to go on wildlife safaris in Kibale National Park, mainly for chimpanzee trekking and birdwatching, can access the park by either air or road. It takes roughly 344 kilometres to travel from Kampala to Fort Portal Town and then to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre by car. This takes roughly 5 to 6 hours and offers a rewarding, scenic, and unusual roadside experience. It takes 1:15 minutes by plane, and passengers can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kasese Airstrip or Nyakisharara Airstrip in Mbarara. From there, they can take a road transfer to the park.
Accommodation in Kibale National Park
Lodging options in Kibale Forest National Park include Bweza Lodge, Isunga Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, Primate Lodge, Kibale Tourist Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Guereza Canopy Lodge, Chimpundu Safari Lodge, Turaco Tree Tops, Kibale Forest Lodge, Rubaliika Safari and Farm Lodge, among others.
Things to pack during birding in Kibale National Park
Kibale Forest National Park is a tropical rain forest and a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to a variety of unique birds, such as skulking and forest birds. This implies that to conduct a successful birding excursion, guests should equip themselves with the necessary supplies beforehand. Long-sleeved shirts, hiking shoes, pants, a camera, a brimmed hat, a telescope, binoculars, a waterproof jacket, a waterproof backpack, insect repellent, sunglasses, a field guide book, extra batteries, energy-boosting snacks, and many more are among the necessities.
