About this Experience

For the Community Based Tourism Traveler seeking an authentic Ugandan experience, Little Monkey Camp offers a perfect blend of comfortable accommodation and privileged access to one of Africa's premier birding destinations—Kibale Forest National Park—complemented by rich cultural immersion opportunities. The Birding Experience from Little Monkey Camp Little Monkey Camp is ideally situated on the edge of the forest, which is famously known for its 375+ bird species. This puts you in a fantastic starting position for your avian adventures. • Convenient Base: You can often spot primates (true to the camp's name!) and various bird species right from the campground itself. Its location makes it a quick and convenient base for accessing the key birding sites. • Access to Key Birding Hotspots: Your stay at the camp provides easy access to the two most rewarding birding areas in the Kibale region: o Kanyanchu Visitor Center Trails: The main park trails, also famous for chimpanzee trekking, are prime locations for spotting the rare forest species of the main rainforest canopy and understory. Guided walks start early here. o Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary: Just a short drive away, the community-run Bigodi Wetland is a birder's paradise. Here, local guides lead you on a four-hour walk through the swamp and forest edge, offering the most reliable chance to see wetland and forest-fringe specials. Seasons for the Avian Enthusiast Kibale offers great birding year-round, but the seasons present different advantages for the Community Based Traveller: Rainy/Wet Season (March-May and September-November): Peak Birding: Abundant food from fruiting trees means birds are more active, vocal, and often in their vibrant breeding plumage, making them easier to photograph and spot. Low season means fewer crowds, often lower accommodation prices at the camp, and a more intimate experience with the community. Dry Season (June-September and December-February): Excellent year-round birding remains. Easier access to trails which are less muddy/slippery. Clearer skies and easier hiking on trails, ideal if combining birding with chimpanzee trekking or longer community walks. A Rich Cultural Connection: Choosing to stay at Little Monkey Camp and partake in the nearby activities ensures your tourism dollars directly support local development: 1. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary: A visit here is a shining example of successful community conservation. The sanctuary is managed by the local community, and the fees you pay for your guided birding walk fund local projects like schools and health centres. You'll be guided by knowledgeable local experts who bring a unique, intimate perspective to the birdlife and ecosystem. 2. Cultural Immersion: The camp's location makes it an ideal launchpad for exploring the local culture, which may include: o Village Walks: Visiting nearby villages to see daily life, agriculture, and local craft production. o Coffee Experience: Learning about the process of coffee from bean to cup at a local farm. o Cultural Tours: Engaging with the local Batooro or Bakiga communities for a truly authentic cultural exchange. Kibale's Most Wanted Birds While Kibale National Park offers an abundance of species, the following birds are the most highly sought-after by keen birders, and are often highlights of a trip: Green-breasted Pitta: One of Africa's most elusive and colourful birds, considered the ultimate prize. Great Blue Turaco: A large, unmistakable, vibrant blue, green, and black forest bird—a crown jewel of the area. Blue-headed Bee-eater: A rare, spectacular-looking species, one of four birds in Kibale not recorded elsewhere in Uganda. Nahan's Francolin: A rare, endemic forest floor species known for its distinctive calls. Cassin's Spinetail: An endemic species often seen flying high over the forest canopy. Papyrus Gonolek: A beautiful, bright black and yellow bird, a key species for the papyrus habitat.