Birding Safaris in Kibale National Park Uganda & Rare Bird Species

Birding safaris in Kibale National Park are a perfect addition into chimpanzee tracking tours or chimpanzee habituation experience. Kibale Forest National Park is home to over 375 species of birds, and these reside in the varied habitats.

The diverse bird species make Kibale National Park a favorite birding destination in Uganda. Kibale also inhabits 6 Albertine rift endemic and resident species or forest birds.

The Rare Bird Species in Kibale

The 4 bird species that can’t be identified anywhere else in Uganda except Kibale include the masked apalis, Nahan’s francolins, blue-headed bee-eaters, and Cassin’s spine-tail.

The Albertine rift endemic species include the black capped apalis, dusky crimson wing, Blue-breasted kingfishers, Great blue turacos, white-bellied robin chat, and African green breasted pittas.

A general checklist of bird species to explore in Kibale National Park includes cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, white-collared olive kingfishers, woodland kingfishers, helmeted guineafowl, black bee-eaters, purple-breasted sunbird, chocolate-backed kingfishers, yellow-fronted tinkerbird, double-toothed barbet, malachite kingfishers, and Eastern plantain eater.

Other birds in Kibale include pin-tailed whydahs, white-tailed blue flycatchers, Bronze sunbirds, regal sunbirds, common waxbill, Afep pigeon, black-headed gonoleks, yellow-billed ox-peckers, African grey parrot, blue-throated rollers, brown illadopsis, black-eared ground thrush, scaly-breasted illadopsis, and western nicator, etc.

Best Birding Sites in Kibale National Park

Kanyanchu

Located in the heart of Kibale National Park, the Kanyanchu sector is a prime spot for not only chimpanzee tracking but also bird watching. Kanyanchu Tourist Centre lies in the Kanyanchu sector and is where most tourism activities in Kibale National Park begin. Visitors assemble at Kanyanchu to get briefed, a session that can last for only 30 minutes.

The common bird species to explore from the Kanyanchu sector include tropical boubou, red-rumped tinkerbird, green-breasted pittas, Abyssinian ground thrush, yellow-rumped tinkerbird, black bee-eaters, Ross’s turacos, African emerald cuckoos, and little greenbul.

Kanyanchu sector is also popular for birds such as western nicator, red-fronted barbets, speckled tinker birds, bar-tailed trogons, superb sunbirds, narina trogon, broad-billed rollers, red-faced woodland warblers, and African green pigeon.

Other sectors in Kibale National Park include the Ngogo sector. The Ngogo sector contains the highest chimpanzee community and is the most studied community in Uganda. It is dedicated to chimpanzee research.

Sebitoli is another significant sector in Kibale and is found in the Northern end of the park. It is popular for primate and forest walk experiences. The common primates to see in the Sebitoli region/sector in Kibale National Park include olive baboons, red colobus monkeys, and colobus monkeys.

Bigodi wetland or swamp sanctuary.

This is found 4 km South of Kibale and is a renowned birding spot. The Bigodi swamp holds over 138 bird species, including the Great blue turacos, white-breasted nigrita, papyrus gonoleks, white-spotted fluff tail, yellow-billed barbets, African grey parrot, white-breasted negrofinch, blue-breasted kingfishers, and black bishops.

Other birds include western nicator, superb sunbird, hairy-breasted barbets, pied kingfishers, red-eyed dove, ring-necked dove, snowy-crowned robin-chat, Afep pigeon, and many more.

Other Safari Activities to do in Kibale National Park

Chimpanzee tracking/trekking

The addition of chimpanzee trekking allows you to spice up your safari in Uganda. Kibale National Park is the iconic destination when it comes to chimpanzee trekking experiences.

Kibale is endowed with a total of about 1500 chimpanzees and approximately 4 habituated communities. The guided chimpanzee treks in Kibale involve visiting common or eastern chimpanzees in the wild.

Chimpanzee tracking excursions in Kibale begin from Kanyanchu Visitor Centre. The entire trek with chimpanzees in Kibale can cover about 2-5 hours, which also includes an hour for up close.

Visitors with plans to include a chimpanzee trek should ensure they obtain a valid permit. Kibale chimpanzee permits cost US Dollars 250 per person when you book as a foreign non-resident, US Dollars 200 for foreign residents, and shs. 180,000 for all the East African citizens (Ugandans inclusive).

Chimpanzee Habituation

You could also have an extended day with chimpanzees. A guided chimpanzee habituation is another unique primate experience that lets you interact with chimpanzees. With Kibale chimpanzee habituation, you have a full day of following the semi-habituated chimpanzee community with an experienced expert.

Expect to begin your search from morning and end in the evening when chimpanzees start nesting. This primate mainly focuses on exploring the daily behaviors of chimpanzees and you start the journey early morning when they have just risen from their nests ready to embark on feeding and other activities.

During the full-day chimpanzee habituation, you have plenty of time to take pictures of chimpanzees. And also expect to enjoy lunch in the heart of the jungle, and later proceed with your exploration with chimpanzees.

To enjoy the Kibale chimpanzee habituation experience, you should have a permit, and obtaining one is possible at US Dollars 300 per person for non-residents, US Dollars 250 for foreign residents, and East Africans UGX 250,000 per person.

To book Kibale chimpanzee permits (both for standard chimpanzee trekking and habituation), you can contact Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd.

We are a trusted safari company in Uganda that can help you organize a memorable chimpanzee tour holiday and also ensure you have the valid permits booked in advance.

We assist guests in organizing complete adventures to Kibale and the entire Uganda, inclusive of transport and accommodation facilities.

When to go for Birding Safaris in Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park welcomes avid birders at any time of the year to enjoy birding safaris. But the dry season is the ideal period to excellently trek through the Kibale Forest while searching for birds.

The dry season on Kibale’s travel calendar runs from June to September or from December to February. November-April mainly offers exceptional sightings of migratory species of birds and many resident species as they breed or nest.

What to Pack for Birding Safaris in Kibale National Park

Ensure that you have a camera, guide book, a pair of binoculars, a sweater, insect repellent, a safari hat, waterproof hiking boots, and a first aid kit, etc.

Where to Stay during Birding Safaris in Kibale National Park

Kibale is an amazing destination with budget, midrange, and luxury accommodation properties for birders to consider for overnight stay. During the birding safaris, the key places to stay include Primate Lodge, Chimpundu Lodge, Ndali Lodge, and Papaya Lake Lodge. Other lodges to book for overnight in and around Kibale National Park include Isunga Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Kibale Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, and Chimpanzee Guesthouse.

How to get to Kibale for birding safaris

By road.

Drive off from Kampala or Entebbe through Mityana-Mubende-Fort Portal city and later, connect to the park on the Kamwenge route. This route can take you at least 5 to 6 hours. Visitors from Murchison Falls National Park can also reach Kibale via Hoima city, and this is about a 7-8-hour drive. From Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, expect to drive for about 6 hours to get to Kibale National Park. Note, all road transportation to Kibale Forest National Park is best done using a 4×4 safari car, and Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd has you covered.

By air

Getting to Kibale by air involves taking a domestic flight from Entebbe Airport to Kasese Airstrip. In less than 1-2 hours, you can be at the Kasese Airstrip and get picked up by your driver guide. From Kasese Airstrip, you can have another 1-2 hours’ drive to get to your pre-booked accommodation around or in Kibale National Park.

4 Days Kibale Birding Safari

Day 1: Pick up & Transfer to Hotel in Entebbe

Day 2: Entebbe to Kibale for birding

Day 3: Enjoy a Full-day birding experience in Kanyanchu (Kibale Forest)

Day 4: Kibale to Entebbe city

Conclusion: Kibale National Park has plenty of experiences for you to enjoy, including birding safaris. Booking birding safaris in Kibale National Park allows you to explore a range of bird species, including the rare species that only exist in this park. Contact Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd to secure the 2026-2027 slot.