Kibale National Park

Wildlife & Animals

Expert

By Ariadne van Zandbergen

Ariadne and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Uganda.

The chimpanzee community visited by trackers in Kibale is the best habituated in Uganda and sightings can be excellent. The park’s diversity of primates is one of the highest in Africa, with 13 species identified. Black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkey and blue monkey are all regularly spotted. Several nocturnal species are present as well, including potto and the eastern needle-clawed bushbaby.

GorillaNone

ChimpanzeeCommon

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionRare to none

LeopardVery Rare

CheetahNone

HippoRare

BuffaloOccasional

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

ElephantOccasional

GiraffeNone

Wildlife Highlights

The park provides refuge to the world’s largest population of the endangered red colobus monkey, and it is an important stronghold for Uganda mangabey, a rare national endemic (only occurs in Uganda).

Kibale is home to many mammal species aside from primates but they are rarely encountered. Elephant and buffalo roam the forest and other species present are giant forest hog, warthog, bushpig, bushbuck, blue, red and Peter's duiker.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The Dry seasons (from June to July and December to February) are the best time for tracking chimpanzees. The park stays open throughout the year, but in heavy rain, the trails might be difficult to walk and the overall experience might be compromised.