Kibale National Park
Uganda’s primate capital, famous for chimpanzee tracking.
Why visit Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is a stretch of tropical rainforest near Fort Portal in western Uganda. It is home to 13 species of primates and is widely regarded as one of the best places in Africa to track wild chimpanzees.
Beyond chimpanzees, the forest, nearby wetlands and crater lakes make it a rewarding stop for birders and nature lovers.
Highlights
Chimpanzee tracking
Follow a guide into the forest to find a habituated chimpanzee community and spend time watching them.
Other primates
Look out for red colobus, black-and-white colobus and several monkey species in the canopy.
Bigodi Wetland
A community-run wetland sanctuary on the edge of the park, good for birds and monkeys on a gentle guided walk.
Things to do
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Forest and birding walks
- Bigodi Wetland guided walk
- Crater lake visits
Learn more
Best time to visit
Chimpanzee tracking runs all year. The drier months — June to August and December to February — are easier underfoot, while the rainy months make the forest lush but muddier.
How to get there
Roughly 5 to 6 hours by road from Kampala to the Fort Portal area, depending on traffic. It sits comfortably between Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth on a western circuit.
Questions travellers ask
Where is Kibale National Park?
In western Uganda, near the town of Fort Portal, within reach of the Rwenzori Mountains.
What is chimpanzee tracking in Kibale?
A guided walk into the forest to find a habituated chimpanzee community, with time to watch their behaviour once found.
Is chimpanzee tracking guaranteed?
Sightings are very likely because the communities are habituated, but wildlife is wild, so nothing is guaranteed.
What else is there to do near Kibale?
Visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, explore crater lakes and look for birds and other primates in the surrounding forest.
Safaris that include Kibale
- 21 Days- All Around UgandaView itineraryRequest this safari
- Discover the best of UgandaView itineraryRequest this safari
- Primates and Wildlife Safari 15 Days/14 NightsView itineraryRequest this safari