Kibale National Park, in western Uganda near the town of Fort Portal, is widely regarded as one of the best places in Africa to see wild chimpanzees. The park holds a large chimpanzee population, and groups at the Kanyanchu tourism centre are habituated, so guided visitors can walk through the forest, find the troop and spend an hour watching them feed, groom and play. The forest is also home to about a dozen other primate species, including red colobus, black-and-white colobus and L'Hoest's monkeys, as well as forest elephants. Chimpanzee tracking usually runs twice daily, with a morning and an afternoon departure. A ranger briefing starts the activity, and then groups of limited size follow the trackers into the forest. Hikes can be short or long depending on where the chimpanzees have moved, and the hour with the animals begins when you find them. For a longer experience, the chimpanzee habituation experience allows visitors to spend most of a day with a group that is being accustomed to human presence, and is popular with photographers and serious wildlife fans. The area around Kibale is as interesting as the park itself. The nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a community-run swamp walk with excellent birding and monkeys, and the Ndali-Kasenda crater lakes offer scenic walks, swimming spots and views across the Rwenzori mountains. The tea estates around Fort Portal give a green, rolling landscape that contrasts with the dense forest.
Getting there
Kibale is about five to six hours by road from Kampala, so a day trip is demanding, but it is possible and the product linked from this page is a one-day chimpanzee trekking safari. Most visitors prefer to spend at least one night near Fort Portal so they can start trekking fresh in the morning. Kibale combines naturally with Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south and with Murchison Falls to the north.
Permits and rules
Permits are sold by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and cost a few hundred US dollars for foreign visitors, with a different rate for the habituation experience, and rates can change, so confirm the current figures with your operator. The minimum age for tracking is twelve, and visitors with colds or other illnesses may be asked to stay behind. Keep to the distance your guide sets, avoid eye contact, and do not use flash. Chimpanzee sightings are very likely but not guaranteed.
What to bring
Sturdy waterproof boots, long trousers and sleeves, gloves for gripping branches, a rain jacket, a hat, insect repellent and a daypack with water and snacks. The forest floor is muddy and has biting ants, so tuck trousers into socks. Hiring a walking stick is useful. If you are comparing Kibale with Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale usually offers a better chance of a clear sighting, while Kyambura offers a more dramatic setting.
Making a stay of it
Fort Portal is a pleasant, hilly town with good restaurants and lodges, the Tooro Kingdom palace and tea estates that you can visit. The crater lakes nearby have lodges with swimming, canoeing and walking trails with views of the Rwenzori mountains. If you can only do one primate activity in Uganda besides gorillas, Kibale gives the best odds of a rewarding encounter. Early-morning departures are cooler and often more productive, so plan to stay close to the park gate.
What to expect
The experience
A guided forest walk with a ranger to find a habituated chimpanzee group, followed by an hour of observation.
Best time
The dry months of June to September and December to February make trails easier, but sightings are possible year-round.
How long
A morning or afternoon on the trail, usually three to five hours including the walk and briefing.
Tips
Book the permit ahead, wear waterproof boots and long sleeves, and stay a night near Fort Portal.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Primate lovers and anyone who wants wildlife on foot rather than from a vehicle.
- Families
- Minimum age twelve; good for active teenagers.
- Couples
- A shared forest adventure with crater-lake views nearby.
- Pair with
- Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary and the Rwenzori foothills.
- Time needed
- One day at the park; two to three days with Fort Portal.
Good questions
How much is a chimpanzee permit in Kibale?+
Permits cost a few hundred US dollars for foreign visitors through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and rates can change, so check with your operator.
What is the minimum age?+
Twelve years old. Anyone with a cold or infection may be refused for the chimpanzees' safety.
Will I definitely see chimpanzees?+
Sightings are very likely in Kibale but never guaranteed, since the animals roam freely.
What is a habituation experience?+
It is a longer day with a group being accustomed to human presence, allowing more time with the chimpanzees and a chance to see them wake, feed and move.
Can I do it as a day trip from Kampala?+
It is possible but demanding because of the five to six hour drive each way. An overnight in Fort Portal is much more comfortable.
