Kibale Forest National Park is situated in the Western Part of Uganda close to the busy town of Fort portal spanning an area of 795 km² with moist evergreen rainforest, semi-deciduous forest and various other ecosystems.

The Park is prominently known to offer amazing Chimpanzee Tracking Adventures in Uganda hence a very awesome destination to visit when on holiday vacation safari.

The Park connects with Queen Elizabeth National Park in the South with 13 primate species including the L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Red Colobus Monkeys, black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys and potto.

Other Wildlife to watch in the park include; forest elephants, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, sitatungas, bush pigs and leopards.

Other than wildlife, there are many species of birds i.e over 372 bird species like the olive long-tailed cuckoo, western tinkerbird and the endemic ground thrush.

Activities to do in Kibale Forest National Park

Chimpanzee Trekking

Trekking the Chimpanzees is the most prominent safari adventure carried out in the park and includes transferring to the Kanyachu Visitor’s center. On reaching here, you are welcomed by the park ranger guides who take you through precise briefing on conduct around the Chimpanzees then later inform you about Kibale Forest and other safari adventure you can do in the park. After briefing, you are located to groups of 8 with lead rangers who lead you to the starting points where you leave to enter the green forest to track the Chimpanzees.

Trek these for a period of 2 to 4 hours following varying trails watching other wildlife animals  as well as bird species then later, you shall meet the chimpanzees and stay in their presence for a period of 1 hour taking many photos. After trekking the chimpanzee, you are awarded and Chimpanzee Tracking Certificate.

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience

Other than chimpanzee Tracking, travelers can engage in the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience where they get a chance to stay in the presence of the chimpanzees for a longer period of time. You wake up early in the morning then get to the park to watch them lave their nests then follow them with park ranger guides, researchers as they inform you about them for the whole day. Traverse from one point to another watching them forage, breast feeding, patrolling, playing, communicating, leading etc.

At mid day, break off for lunch then proceed on another session watching the chimpanzees then later in the evening, you shall return back to get your trekking certificate to take with you back home.

Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

A community-run eco-tourism project adjacent to the park, offering birdwatching and primate viewing opportunities. The sanctuary is home to over 138 bird species and several primate species.

Guided Nature Walks

Guided Nature walks through the forest provide insights into the park’s diverse ecosystems and the flora and fauna that inhabit them.

Getting There

By Road: Kibale is approximately a 6-hour drive from Kampala via the Kampala-Fort Portal highway. From Fort Portal, it’s about an hour’s drive to the park.

By Air: Scheduled or charter flights are available from Entebbe International Airport to Kasese Airstrip, followed by a 2-hour drive to the park.