BIRDING IN KIBALE NATIONAL PARK.
Famously known as the “primate capital of the world”, kibale national park is mostly visited for primate safaris in its forest, where chimpanzee tracking is a major highlight. . Birding in kibale national park is a unique experience that most visitors haven’t taken up, but worth trying out on a Uganda birding safari.
Kibale national park is among the primate national parks of Uganda located in the western region of Uganda near fort portal city. The park was gazette in 1932 and officially established as a national park in 1993. It covers an area of 776km of lowland and montane forest.
The bird life of kibale national park with it’s varsity, has approved to be one of the major attractions for tourists that visit the park. The bird watching experience in kibale national park is activity that is felt not elsewhere in the world.
Birding in kibale national park is mainly done in Bigodi wetland sanctuary just outside the park and in the kibale forest. Bird watching in these sites is done along the birding trials with the help an experienced birding guide from the park.
The activity begins with a short briefing at the headquarters of the park about the birding expedition in kibale national park. Kanyanchu center is the starting point for birding in kibale forest. The activity begins as early as 7 am and can take half or full day, depending on the birding package that has been booked.
There are about 370 birds species that have been recorded in kibale national park, 6 of these are endemic to the kibale forest and cannot be found elsewhere in the world.
The bird experience in the kibale forest, rewards a sight of number of bird species, some of which include; the Abyssinian ground –thrush, red faced woodland warbler, collared Apalis, brown –chested alethe, African grey parrot, Red chested owlet, Afep pigeon, Little Greenbul, western Nicator, crowned eagle, Scaly –breasted llladopsis, African grey parrot, yellow –rumped Tinkerbird, Blacked –eared ground thrush, dusky, crimsoning, Black bee eater, green breasted pitta , white –naped pigeon, crowned eagle, purple –breasted sunbird, Blue –headed sunbird, Blue breasted kingfisher and many others.
Bigodi wetland sanctuary, is another birding site where bird watching is carried out in kibale national park. The sanctuary nears kibale national park just 40 km from fort portal town.
A guided nature walk through the trails of the sanctuary gives a chance to view a number of bird species that are located in the sanctuary. There are about 200 bird species that are resident to the Bigodi wetland, these include the famous great blue turaco, brown chested Alethe, collared Apalis crowned eagle, spotted barbet, western nictor , Blue breasted kingfisher, collared Apalis, African pitta, the green breasted pitta and many others.
Birding in the wetland takes about 3 hours, walking along the wood walks ways above the water through the bird sites. Bird watching in Bigodi wetland sanctuary begins as early from 7: 30 am to 9 am, or from 3 pm taking 3 hours. Bird watching in Bigodi wetland sanctuary can begin at any time of the day depending on the interest of the birders.
Besides the bird life in kibale national park, the park is as well a home to other wildlife species that can be sighted during the birding experience. Kibale forest is endowed with a number of primate species and mammals that entice and enhance the exploration of the national park. Chimpanzees, olive baboons, L’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons and many more.
The park is habitat is about 70 wild mammals that can be spotted while on a visit to Kibale national park. While on a birding safari in kibale national park, mammal species can be observed in the park’s forest these include Elephants, warthogs, buffaloes, leopards, duikers, bush pigs to mention but a few.
Best time for birding in kibale national park.
Birding in the national park is best done during the dry season, when the trails are easily accessible and the birds are easily spotted and seen. Migratory birds are seen during the months of November to April. During the fruiting season, there are a number of birds that can easily be spotted in the national park. This is during the months of September, November, March and May. This is doesn’t take off the fact that bird watching is available whole year in kibale national park.
What to carry for bird watching in kibale national park
The birding equipment help to enhance and easy the birding experience in kibale national park. Comfortable and light wear garments are recommended while birding. Equipment’s such as cameras, binoculars, scoping scope, field guide and a check list are all necessary while taking on birding in kibale national park.
How to access kibale national park.
The park is located in the western region of Uganda and can be accessed by a road transfer from Kampala. The road transfer to the park can take up approximately 5 hours using the Mityana Mubende road, covering a distance of 309.5km. Using the Masaka route, the road transfer to kibale national park, takes 6 hours covering a distance of 390.1km. The longest route, is using the hioma Kyenjojo a route that takes up to 6 hours and 42 minutes driving a distance of 400km.
By air, transfer with chartered flights can be the most convenient and organized way to reach kibale national park. A charter flight from Entebbe international airport to Nyakisharara airstrip 75km from fort portal taking only 1:15 hours can be used for an air transfer to kibale national park. The use of air transfers to the national park are quicker means to reach kibale national park.
Where to sleep while at kibale national park.
After the birding experience at kibale national park, tourists can choose to drive back to Kampala since it’s a short distance or they can have an arranged overnight stay at the accommodation facilities available. These include Rwenzori guest house, Rweteera safari camp, Green home cottages, Kibale forest camp, chimpanzee forest guest house, Kyaninga royal cottages, primate lodge, crater safari lodge and many others.
Accommodation at Kibale Park is categorized according budget, midrange and luxury. Tourists can choose the desired accommodation facility depending on the presence of the experience and budget.