For those interested in visiting Kibale Forest National Park, flying scheduled flights will help you get to Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale Forest National Park is located in the Southwestern part of Uganda, close to Rwenzori Mountain and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kibale Forest NP is home to the largest number of major primates in Uganda, with the prime primate species being the Chimpanzee. It has for many decades been ranked as the best destination in the world for primate trekking and chimpanzee trekking, and due to this, it is also tagged as “The Primate Capital of the World”. The major and interesting activities one can do on their visit to this park include Chimpanzee trekking, Chimpanzee habituation experience, birding, community walk, Nature walks, and research, among others.

Which airlines fly to Kibale Forest National Park?

AeroLink Uganda Limited and Fly Uganda are two of the domestic airlines offering scheduled flights to Kibale Forest National Park. Flights either depart from Entebbe International Airport or Kajansi Airfield; you will fly to Kasese Airstrip from where you will start the drive to Kibale Forest National Park, which will take you approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

For you to be able to get to Kibale Forest National Park by flying, you will need to fly to the airstrips of Kasese/Mweya, Semliki, Mbarara, or Kihihi. This will depend on the availability of the airline routing for your travel dates, for the best airstrip to fly to, so that you get to Kibale Forest National Park early with a shorter drive, which is Kasese/Mweya Airstrip. This should be your major request when booking a scheduled flight to Kibale Forest National Park.

How long is the flight from Entebbe to Kibale National Park?

The flight from Entebbe to Kasese/Mweya Airstrip will take you approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, and then, from here, you will connect to Kibale Forest National Park with a road transfer, which will take you approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. This means the total time to get from Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park will be approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes by flying. AeroLink airline operates 3 flight schedules daily to Kasese/Mweya Airstrip, that is morning, mid-morning, and afternoon flights. The morning flight departs Entebbe Airport at 7 am and arrives at Kasese/Mweya Airstrip at 10:05 am, then on the return, it departs at 10:20 am and arrives back in Entebbe at 11:25 am.

The mid-morning flight departs Entebbe Airport at 10:15 am and arrives at Kasese/Mweya Airstrip at 3:05 pm, then on the return, it departs at 3:20 pm and arrives back in Entebbe at 1:30 pm; however, kindly note that the mid-morning flight is a daily flight except for April, May, and November. The afternoon flight departs Entebbe Airport at 15:00 and arrives at Kasese/Mweya Airstrip at 14:15, then on the return, it departs at 2:20 pm and arrives back in Entebbe at 16:15. The above flights are daily as noted, but timings may vary depending on aircraft routing.

Things to Do in Kibale Forest National Park.

Kibale Forest National Park is often called the “Primate Capital of the World”; this Ugandan gem is then highly explosive with indelible activities. From chimpanzee tracking, which is done with excitement, through hiking in tall forests and sightings of birds amidst over 370 beautiful species, the park offers a blend of wildlife encounters and serene nature experiences.

Chimpanzee Tracking.

Chimpanzee Tracking is the most sought-after park activity and allows one to get closer to these amazing primates. Deep in the forest, trek with incredibly experienced guides in front as you see chimpanzees in their natural habitat, interacting, observing their feeding habits, and social structures.

The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience.

Chimpanzee Habituation is such a mesmerizing activity is bigger in size, with a whole-day affair of tracking a chimpanzee group right from morning to evening as it embarks on its daily routine activities. This would be ideal for photographers and animal behavior enthusiasts who want a deeper understanding of chimpanzee life.

Bird Watching.

Kibale boasts rich habitats that are home to hundreds of bird species; thus, this is an ideal destination for both amateur and professional bird-watchers. Several trails wind into the interior of the forest, where chances do occur to view many different species that include the African grey parrot, African pitta, and blue-breasted kingfisher.

Nature Walks.

Kibale provides guided nature walks in its dense forest, where you may encounter the small game and some of the peculiar flora of the area in the tranquility of the forest. Guided walks vary in length and difficulty to suit different preferences.

Cultural Encounters.

Around Kibale, various communities, among them the Batooro and Bakiga people, offer an insight into traditional tribal life in food, crafts, and day-to-day activities. About six ethnic groups populate the Kibale area, which includes the Bakiga, people who have become very enthusiastic with tourism overnight. Cultural interaction covers an understanding of the heritage aspect of the area and provides an extra dimension to your stay at Kibale.

Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Walk.

The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary lies just out of Kibale and is a rich wetland known for its interesting plant life, bird species, and primates. Guided walks here will offer excellent views of species such as the great blue turaco and red colobus monkeys.

Kibale Forest National Park Fees.

Chimpanzee Tracking Permit: Foreign Non-residents $250, Foreign Residents $200,  and East African Residents UGX 180,000.

Chimpanzee Habituation: Foreign Non-residents $300, Foreign Residents $250, and East African Residents UGX 250,000.

Entrance Fees: Foreign Non-residents $40, Foreign Residents $30, and East African Residents UGX 20,000.

Bigodi Wetland Walk: Foreign Non-residents $30, Foreign Residents $20, and East African Residents UGX 20,000.

Nature Walk: Foreign Non-residents $30, Foreign Residents $20, and East African Residents UGX 20,000.

Please note that prices can change at any time, and we highly recommend checking current rates in advance before going.

The Regulations in Kibale Forest NP.

Ensuring visitor safety and protection of the wildlife calls for some key regulations formulated by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

  • No littering: the visitors have to leave the forest clean by taking out whatever they bring into the park.
  • No Feeding of the Wildlife: Feeding of animals is not allowed because this interferes with their natural behaviors.
  • Stay on Designated Trails: Off-trail hiking may ruin sensitive habitats and also disrupt wildlife.
  • Follow what the Guide Says: In addition to keeping you safe, guides receive training in managing wildlife encounters.
  • Respect the Quiet Zones: Noise irritates the primates and the rest of the animals; hence, silence is advised, especially during primate tracking.

What to Pack for Kibale Forest National Park.

Pack accordingly for Kibale, keeping its humid climate in mind:

  • Long-sleeved clothing, lightweight: Protects from insect bites and scratches from vegetation.
  • Waterproof hiking boots: Sturdy boots are important in negotiating through forest trails.
  • Rain gear: Sudden rain showers are highly expected in the rainforest climate.
  • Insect repellent: This shall be necessary to ward off mosquitoes and other insects from you.
  • Binoculars: These are ideal for viewing birds and spotting some of the distant primates.
  • Reusable water bottle: Reusable water bottles will help in hydration while reducing single-use plastic waste.
  • Camera: Lush landscapes and vibrant wildlife offer great photo opportunities.

Where can I stay near Kibale National Park?

On your flying safari to Kibale Forest National Park we do recommend you atleast spend a night in either Entebbe/Kampala before the start day and at the end of your safari, this will help you catch up with the flight departure and return times then as well avoid the risk of missing the flight in case of uncertainties like loss of your luggage, missed connecting flight to Entebbe on your flight to Uganda among others.

Lodges in Kibale Forest National Park range from budget, mid-range to luxury, Budget options include Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, Isunga Lodge, Kibale Home stay among others fares range from 90-100 dollars a night per person, mid-range options include Kibale Forest Camp, Turaco Treetops Lodge, Primate Lodge among others fares range from 100-300 dollars a night per person and then Luxury options include Ndali Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, Kyaniga Lodge among others fares range from 300-400 dollars a night per person.

Why book your scheduled flight to Kibale Forest National Park with Anthill Safaris?

Anthill Safaris started in 2011, offering amazing experiences in Uganda and Rwanda, but has since expanded to offer safaris to Tanzania, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Our magic in organizing authentic experiences stems from the fact that we have, over time, assembled a team mixed with young and energetic staff guided by well-experienced, mature managers and directors who are Ugandans and passionate about what they do. If contacted, one of our staff members will assist in providing accurate and timely information that you can rely on.