How To Get To Kibale Forest National Park
How To Get To Kibale Forest National Park : One of Uganda’s most well-known and biologically diverse national parks is Kibale Forest National Park. It is known for its amazing biodiversity and is home to the well-known chimpanzees. It is situated in the western part of Uganda. The park is renowned for its diverse fauna, stunning scenery, and distinctive cultural experiences. Kibale provides an amazing experience for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, wildlife, or birding. This post will discuss how to go to Kibale Forest National Park from a number of places, including Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and other neighboring towns.
Kibale Forest National Park is roughly 320 kilometers from Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and occupies an area of 795 square kilometers. Because of its large chimpanzee population, it is one of the most visited tourist sites in Uganda and an excellent location for chimpanzee trekking. Along with an abundance of bird species, butterflies, and other animals, Kibale is home to numerous other primates, including the olive baboon, vervet monkey, and red colobus monkey
Getting to Kibale forest National Park
Visiting Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda offers a chance to explore its remarkable biodiversity, especially the renowned chimpanzee populations. To embark on this adventure, you need to know how to get there. Here are the travel options to reach Kibale Forest National Park:
By road
Kibale forest national park can be accessed from different directions, depending on where you are coming from. The fact is that this park is located some 22 km from Fort Portal Town, which is the biggest town in the mid-western part of Uganda.
Kampala-fort portal road
The most common and accessible route to Kibale Forest National Park is by road. If you’re starting from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, you can follow the 298 km route to Fort Portal. This road takes you through several towns and districts, including Mityana, Mubende, Kyegeggwa, and Kyenjojo. The journey offers a scenic drive through diverse landscapes, showcasing Uganda’s beauty.
Mbarara-kamwenge road
Also referred to as the southern route, this is preferred by travelers who have Lake Mburo National Park as part of their itinerary.
With this route can be used by travelers coming from Kampala from Masaka city all the way to lyantonde town. From here, you will either drive through Mbarara City to Kazo Town and Kamwenge where Kibale National Park is located or drive from Lyantonde near Lake Mburo National Park to Rushere and Kazo Town then Kamwenge to Bigodi Town where Kibale National Park is located.
Kasese- fort portal
This route is popular for travelers who are coming from visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park with Kibale National Park as part of their itinerary on a Uganda safari.
One can choose to drive along the Kasese-Fort portal highway which treats you to the scenic views of the Rwenzori mountain ranges all the way to Fort portal town where the branching to the park is near Buhinga hospital.
Using public transport
Buses and coaches. From Kampala to Fort Portal, a number of respectable bus companies run services. Although the comfort level varies, the buses are generally safe, therefore it’s worth reading reviews or getting advice from locals. The trip takes six to seven hours.
Shared taxis (matatus). In Uganda, matatus, or shared minivans, are an additional mode of transportation that may be less expensive but less comfortable. Usually, they start from specific locations in Kampala, like the Old Taxi Park, and stop occasionally. They may be less reliable in terms of comfort and timeliness, but they are quicker and less expensive than buses.
By Air
For those seeking a faster and more convenient option, domestic flights to Kasese airstrip are available. The Kasese airstrip is located in the Western Uganda District of Kasese, merely 4 km from Kasese Town and near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. It serves as a designated entry and exit point for travelers. Situated at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains, which boasts the highest peak in Uganda at 5109 meters above sea level, the airstrip offers a convenient gateway to the region.
Aero link Uganda operates daily flights to Kasese, catering to travelers heading to Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Rwenzori Mountains National Park for safari adventures. This aerial approach allows you to minimize travel time while enjoying the stunning aerial views of the Ugandan landscape.
The park can also be accessed using domestic chartered flights from Entebbe international airport OR Kajjansi airfield to various fields linking to Kibale National park. You can fly from Entebbe to Nyakisharara airstrip in Mbarara which is 98 kilometers away from Kibale national park or take a chartered flight to Kasese airfield which is only 78 kilometers from Fort portal town
Best time to visist kibale forest national park
The dry seasons (December to February and June to September) are the ideal times of year to explore Kibale Forest National Park. The weather is better for outdoor pursuits like bird watching and chimpanzee trekking during this time, and the roads are more manageable. Though kibale national park can be visited at any time of the year and even wet season is ideal for birding
In conclusion
With a variety of transportation alternatives, including charter planes and road travel, accessing Kibale Forest National Park is comparatively simple. The trip offers the chance to take in the splendor of Uganda’s landscapes, whether you’re coming from Kampala, Queen Elizabeth National Park, or another nearby place. For all nature enthusiasts, a trip to Kibale promises to be an amazing experience because of its abundant biodiversity, which includes the well-known chimpanzee trekking.
