Kibale National Park covers 766 square kilometres of rainforest, woodland and savannah in western Uganda, 35 kilometres southeast of Fort Portal, at altitudes between 1,100 and 1,590 metres. It has one of the highest densities and varieties of primates in Africa, and for chimpanzee trekking it is widely considered the best place in Uganda.
Around 1,450 chimpanzees live here, the largest population in the country. A typical trek lasts two to five hours and gives you about an hour with the chimps, and thanks to years of habituation work, sightings now succeed around 99 percent of the time. For a longer encounter, the habituation experience lets you spend up to six hours with a group. Kibale is home to 13 primate species in all, including the rare L’Hoest’s monkey, red colobus, black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons and bushbabies.
Bushbuck, buffalo, leopards, warthogs, duikers and African golden cats also live in the forest, and forest elephants travel along a 180 kilometre corridor that links Kibale with Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park records 375 bird species, 250 kinds of butterfly and more than 350 tree species, some over 200 years old, and it is one of Africa’s longest established research sites.
The reason most visitors come. Treks last two to five hours and include about an hour with a habituated group, with sightings successful around 99 percent of the time.
A two to three hour walk through papyrus and palms in a wetland known as one of the best birding spots in the area, with good chances of seeing several primate species too.
A hike over the volcanic slopes near the park to viewpoints over more than 50 crater lakes, an unusual and beautiful landscape that many visitors add to their trip.
A Uganda gorilla trekking itinerary built around permit logistics, practical lodge access, and enough structure to make quoting easier for first-time primate travelers.
December to February and June to July are the driest months and the best for trails and chimpanzee trekking. The wetter months are excellent for birdwatching. Temperatures range from about 14°C to 27°C.
Uganda
national park
Park entry, chimpanzee trekking and habituation fees are confirmed in your quotation. The park is open all year.
A Uganda route combining gorilla permits with classic wildlife sections, positioned to show clear value across transfer style and lodge level.
A Uganda route combining gorilla permits with classic wildlife sections, positioned to show clear value across transfer style and lodge level.