Western Uganda Safari
Kibale National Park is a national park in western Uganda dedicated to the preservation of the moist evergreen rainforest. It covers 766 square kilometers (296 square miles) and has elevations ranging from 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) to 1,600 meters (5,200 feet). Despite being mostly moist evergreen forest, it has a diverse range of landscapes. Kibale is one of the few remaining areas with both lowland and montane forests. It protects the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest in eastern Africa. The park, which was gazetted in 1932 and formally established in 1993, was established to protect a large area of forest that had previously been managed as a logged forest reserve. The park’s surroundings are home to two major tribes: the Batooro and the Bakiga. With the assistance of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, they use the park for food, fuel, and other resources. The population around the park has grown sevenfold in the last century. This is thought to be because the park directly generates revenue for those who live nearby, and the tourism industry creates jobs. Furthermore, many farmers believe that the soil is better for growing crops all year. Because of the increase in population, the area surrounding the park has been divided and developed, or turned into plantations and farmland, and the demand for firewood puts pressure on the park’s wildlife habitat.
The park’s environs are home to two major tribes: the Batooro and the Bakiga. They use the park for food, fuel, and other resources with the assistance of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The population around the park has increased sevenfold in the last century. This is thought to be because the park directly generates revenue for those who live nearby, and the tourism industry generates jobs. Furthermore, many farmers believe that the soil is better for growing crops all year round. Because of the increase in population, the area around the park has been divided and developed or turned into plantations and farmland, and the demand for firewood puts pressure on the park’s wildlife habitat.
Kibale National Forest has one of the highest primate diversity and concentrations in Africa. It is home to many endangered chimps, as well as the red colobus monkey (endangered) and the rare L’Hoest’s monkey (vulnerable).
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Kibale Park is home to thirteen totally different species of primates. The park protects many well-studied habituated Pan troglodytes communities, as well as many species of Central African monkeys, as well as the African nation’s Old World monkey (Lophocebus Uganda), the Ugandan red colobus monkey (Procolobus tephrosceles), and L’Hoest’s monkey. The black-and-white colobus monkey (Colobus guereza) and the blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis) are the two alternative primates found within the park (Cercopithecus mitis). The park’s elephant population travels between the park and Queen Elizabeth Park. Red and blue duikers, bushbucks, sitatungas, bushpigs, large forest hogs, common warthogs, and African buffalo are among the other terrestrial mammals found in Kibale park. Leopards, African golden cats, servals, numerous mongooses, and 2 species of otter are among the carnivores’ gifts. Lions also visit the park now and again.
Chimpanzees are habituated to Kibale Park. Bird life is additionally plenteous. The park is home to 325 bird species, as well as the olive long-tailed cuckoo, the western tinkerbird, 2 tyrannid species (African and green-breasted), and the gray parrot. The endemic ground thrush (Turdus kibalensis)
Kibale National Park is a popular tourist destination in Uganda for tracking chimps. Chimpanzee tracking has been conducted in the park since 1993, with a 90% success rate. The chimp habituation exercise, nature walks, and bird watching are also popular tourist activities. Visitors to Kibale National Park take a 5-hour drive from Kampala to get there. Daily domestic flights from Kajjansi Airfield and Murchison Falls National Park land at Fort Portal Airstrip, connecting the park to the rest of the world. To accommodate visitors, the park has a variety of tented camps and safari lodges.
