Uganda Birding Safaris In The Primate Capital Of The World

Created in 1993, Kibale National Park Uganda also christened as the “Primate capital of the world” is a national park in Western Uganda, with over 13 species of primates. This 795-sq-km national park just outside Fort Portal is made up of dense moist evergreen rain tropical rain forest, within which dwell enormous numbers of primates. If you can’t afford the lavish cost of a mountain gorilla trekking safari Uganda, then visiting one of the five habituated groups of chimpanzees for a chimpanzee trekking safari Uganda is a very worthy substitute.

This forest has one of the richest ecosystems in the whole of Africa. It contains over 350 bird’s species, 14 species of snakes, 27 species of frogs and toads, at least 20 species of other reptiles and at least 200 species of butterflies. Also, regularly seen here are the rare red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys. Larger but rarely seen residents of this park also include bushbucks, sitatungas, buffaloes, leopards and quite a few forest elephants. The park visitor Centre is at Kanyanchu, 35km southeast of Fort Portal.

Birding In Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary are two prime African birding destinations situated in the same area. Kibale Forest National Park is home to about 350 species of birds, six of which are endemic to the region. The rare and beautiful bird species of the park can best be spotted on the guided forest walks offered by the park’s experienced and friendly staff or by your Uganda safari guide. Aside from birding, visitors to Kibale National Park can enjoy unrivaled sightings of chimpanzees and various species of other primates, as the park has the highest density of primates in East Africa!

Key species found in Kibale National Park and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary include:
Green-breasted pitta
African pitta
Abyssinian ground thrush
Crowned eagle
Dusky crimson wing
Black-capped Apalis
Collared Apalis
Purple-breasted sunbird
Black bee-eater
Yellow spotted nicator
Little greenbul
Black-eared ground thrush
Brown-chested alethe
Yellow-rumped tinker bird
Blue-breasted kingfisher

Birders also shouldn’t miss Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a superb community development enterprise located on the fringe of Kibale National Park in Magombe Swamp.

Enjoy Uganda wildlife safaris in other parks or Uganda gorilla trekking tours in Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.