In the jungles of Kibale National Park, life is in abundance as each timeline births a new phenomenon and a rush of activity in this untamed forest. Kibale National Park is often explored during the day, but that does not necessarily mean the nightlife isn’t as adventurous and fun. In a real sense, it may even be more fun, given that the night comes with its own unique experience where the nocturnal species roam free.
It may sound or even look very scary to venture into the unknown tropical forest of Kibale in the wee hours of the night, but there is nothing to be scared of. The guided night walks in Kibale National Park are called guided because visitors are accompanied by armed ranger guides from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Truth to this, the rangers are armed just in case you come across large mammals like the forest elephant. In such a rare scenario, rangers shoot in the air to scare away the elephant. However, all the possible animals that may be dangerous to encounter in Kibale are all diurnal animals, which are only active during the day. Therefore, the night is left for you to enjoy and explore the nightlife of Kibale, which encountering the rare nocturnal species.
The most interesting thing about Kibale National Park is that at any time of the day or night, it offers an untamed adventure like never experienced before. Guided night walk is an adrenaline rush experience where all the body’s senses are very alert to capture even the slow-moving species.
What is fun and unique about the guided night walks is the anticipation of encountering the night species. That anticipation fuels the hope for spotting something new and boosts the exploration and adventure through the dense forest canopies of Kibale. During these guided night walks, there is no time to spare, every minute is precious, and a ray of opportunities the forest unfolds.
How are the guided night walks done?
The guided night walks in Kibale National Park always begin with an orientation or a briefing at the park headquarters in Kanyanchu. The briefing covers the dos and don’ts of this experience and what to expect. This is usually done by the lead rangers and is to prepare you for the unexpected adventure experience.
It is during this briefing that the ranger guides learn your particular interest and the reason for this night walk. This helps to redirect the efforts and sometimes to trails to the particular target or interest of the visitor. For instance, if the visitor is interested in spotting the night bird species or encountering the nocturnal primates.
When do the guided night walks in Kibale start?
Guided nature walks in Kibale National Park start at exactly 7:30 PM local time. It is estimated that at around this time, it is dark enough and early enough for the night dwellers to begin their night shifts. During this time, most of the diurnal animals have already lain out to rest for the night as the nocturnal species become active. By this time, the forest is already dark enough for the various species to roam free without fear.
How long do the guided night walks in Kibale last?
The guided night walks in Kibale usually last anywhere between one and a half hours and two hours. It is believed that this specific time is long enough for a visitor to explore the forest and encounter some of the nocturnal wildlife species. The duration of the night walks should also not be too long because the night species are quite sensitive to movement and external stimuli. Therefore, the guided night walk time is limited to avoid stressing these species and to give them time to enjoy and survive.
What to see during the guided night walks in Kibale?
Animals to see during a guided night walk in Kibale include bushbabies, pottos, serval cats, African civets, tree hyrax, and giant forest hogs, among others. Kibale is not limited to the wildlife species only, as there are a few bird species to spot. These include nightjars and owls, which make the entire experience surreal. Insects like the chirping forest crickets can be loudly heard singing throughout the forest.
Kibale National Park has an overwhelming capacity to host a variety of wildlife species and bird species that are active both during the day and at night. However, it is also important to mention that Kibale is not a zoo, and there is nothing guaranteed, as nature dictates. Short of this, hope drives us as we search for incredible species to encounter in the vast Kibale on the night walks.
How much are the guided night walks?
The costs for the guided night walks in Kibale are categorized for foreign non-residents who pay USD 40, foreign residents at USD 20, and nationals or East Africans who pay UGX 15,000. However, this price doesn’t include the entrance fees for Kibale National Park that are paid separately. For visitors who add this experience on top of their existing adventure, like chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, there is no need to pay for the entrance. This is because the chimpanzee permit includes the entrance fees already.