Uganda · National park
Kibale Chimpanzee Safaris
Thirteen primate species, and some of Africa's most reliable chimpanzee tracking.
Discover Kibale Forest
A Kibale chimpanzee safari is built around one morning: tracking a habituated community of chimpanzees through tall evergreen forest near Fort Portal. Kibale National Park is known for its primates, with 13 species recorded, including red colobus, black-and-white colobus, L'Hoest's monkey and grey-cheeked mangabey.
Tracking starts at Kanyanchu, and most groups find the chimps calling and feeding in the fruiting trees. Around the park, the crater lakes of Fort Portal give the area its best lodges, and the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary makes a gentle afternoon walk. Kibale pairs naturally with Queen Elizabeth National Park, about three hours south.
- Primates
- 13 species
- Tracking starts
- Kanyanchu visitor centre
- From Kampala
- About 5–6 hours by road
- Nearest town
- Fort Portal
- Ideal stay
- 2 nights
- Best months
- Jun–Sep and Dec–Feb
What to do in Kibale Forest
Chimpanzee tracking
Morning and afternoon groups leave Kanyanchu with a ranger and walk until they reach the chimpanzee community, often guided by their calls. Once you find them, you have an hour to watch them feed, groom and move through the canopy.
Safaris with chimp tracking
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
A community-run boardwalk and trail around a papyrus swamp just outside the park. The walk is known for great blue turaco, red colobus and other primates, and the fees support local projects.
Add it to your trip
The Fort Portal crater lakes
Dozens of small crater lakes sit in the hills between Fort Portal and the park. Lodges on their rims make the base for Kibale, with walks, swimming in some lakes and long views to the Rwenzori Mountains on clear days.
Lodges near KibaleWildlife you may see in Kibale Forest
Primates
Chimpanzees, red colobus, black-and-white colobus, L'Hoest's monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed and blue monkeys, and olive baboons.
Mammals
Forest elephants, bushpigs and several species of duiker, though thick forest makes them hard to see.
Birds
Around 375 species, with the green-breasted pitta a prized sighting.
The story of Kibale Forest
Kibale became a national park in 1993, but research has gone on here for far longer. The forest has hosted long-term primate studies for decades, which is part of the reason its chimpanzees are so well habituated.
The park lies on a plateau between about 1,100 and 1,600 metres. Its forest joins Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south, forming a corridor that wildlife, including elephants, uses to move between the two.
When to go
Chimpanzee tracking runs all year. The drier months, June to September and December to February, make the forest trails easier. In the wetter months the chimps often feed on fruiting trees and are just as easy to find, though the paths are muddier.
- JanDrier
- FebDrier
- MarWetter
- AprWetter
- MayWetter
- JunDrier
- JulDrier
- AugDrier
- SepDrier
- OctWetter
- NovWetter
- DecDrier
Drier, peak seasonWetter, green season
Where we travel in Kibale Forest
Featured Kibale Forest safaris
8-Day Uganda Luxury Gorilla & Wildlife Safari
Entebbe › Kibale › Queen Elizabeth › Bwindi › Lake Mburo › Entebbe
View itinerary
10-Day Uganda Primates & Big Game
Entebbe › Murchison Falls › Kibale › Queen Elizabeth › Bwindi › Lake Mburo › Entebbe
View itineraryLuxury lodges in Kibale Forest
Kyaninga Lodge
Thatched log cottages on the rim of a crater lake outside Fort Portal, within reach of Kibale Forest.
Ask about this lodgePlanning your visit
Getting there
Kibale is about five to six hours by road from Kampala via Fort Portal, or three hours north of Queen Elizabeth.
How long to stay
Two nights gives a morning of chimpanzee tracking and an afternoon in the Bigodi wetland without rushing.
Where to stay
The crater-lake lodges around Fort Portal combine views with an easy drive to Kanyanchu.
Combine with
Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi to the south, or Murchison Falls to the north.
Questions travellers ask
How likely are we to see chimpanzees in Kibale?
Very likely. The Kanyanchu community is well habituated and most groups find it, but they are wild animals and sightings are never guaranteed.
What is the minimum age for chimpanzee tracking?
Trekkers must be at least 12 years old.
Can we combine Kibale with gorillas?
Yes. Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi lie on one route through western Uganda, and our longer safaris combine all three.
What should we wear for chimp tracking?
Long trousers tucked into socks, closed shoes, a long-sleeved shirt and a light rain jacket.
More of Uganda
Murchison Falls
Uganda's largest park, where the Victoria Nile drops through a seven-metre gorge. Giraffe, elephant and lion on the north bank.
Discover Murchison Falls
Bwindi Impenetrable
Steep montane forest in the southwest, home to about half of the world's mountain gorillas. Treks start from Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.
Discover Bwindi ImpenetrableQueen Elizabeth
Savannah, crater lakes and the Kazinga Channel between lakes George and Edward. Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector.
Discover Queen Elizabeth
Something made for you
Any trip can be lengthened, upgraded or combined across both countries. Send your dates and the number of travellers, and you'll get a costed plan within a day.