Kibale Forest National Park

Welcome to Kibale National Park in Uganda, where the wonders of biodiversity and natural beauty await you! This enchanting destination is a must-visit for enthusiastic travelers like yourself, eager to embark on an unforgettable adventure. Kibale National Park is located in the enchanting western region of the country, spanning an expansive 776 square kilometers.

Get ready to be captivated as you explore this extraordinary park, filled with remarkable treasures. One of the notable features of this location is the abundant population of chimpanzees, which exceeds 1,000 individuals in residence. Visitors have the opportunity to track or observe these chimpanzees in their natural habitats, guided by experienced experts. But that’s not all—Kibale National Park is also home to twelve other species of primates, including the endangered red colobus monkey and the rare L’Hoest’s monkey.

Apart from the primates, the park’s abundant range of plant and animal life will leave you in awe. It is a haven for nature enthusiasts, offering a wide array of natural wonders. It harbors over 300 diverse tree species, 375 bird species, and 70 mammal species, rendering it a perfect haven for nature enthusiasts who admire the wonders of the wilderness. Moreover, its adjacency to Queen Elizabeth National Park creates a vital wildlife corridor, fostering greater conservation efforts and providing exceptional opportunities for ecotourism.

Prepare yourself for an extraordinary journey into the heart of Uganda’s natural wonders. Come and experience the friendly allure of Kibale National Park, where adventure and serenity blend harmoniously amidst its breathtaking landscapes.

What to See and Do

Kibale Forest National Park is a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Over 1,000 chimpanzees and a dozen other primate species reside here, alongside more than 300 bird species and numerous other animals and plants. Some of the most popular and exciting things to do in the park are:

- Chimpanzee trekking: This is the highlight of visiting the park. You can join a guided walk through the forest to find and observe the habituated chimpanzees in their natural habitat. You’ll see them eat, groom, play, and chat with each other.. The trek lasts about 3 hours and costs 200 USD per person.

- Chimpanzee habituation experience: This is a more immersive and exclusive experience that allows you to spend a full day with the chimpanzees. You will join the researchers and trackers who are studying and habituating the chimpanzees. You will learn more about their behaviour, ecology and conservation. The experience costs 250 USD per person and is limited to 4 people per day.

- Primate walk: This is a guided walk that gives you an opportunity to see some of the other primates in the park, such as red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and red-tailed monkeys. You’ll also get to appreciate the beautiful sights of the forest and its plants and animals. The walk lasts about 2 hours and costs 30 USD per person.

- Birdwatching: This is a guided walk to prime birdwatching locations within the park. You will see a variety of birds, such as green-breasted pitta, African grey parrot, great blue turaco, black bee-eater, crowned eagle and many more. The walk lasts about 3 hours and costs 30 USD per person.

- Hiking: This is a guided walk that takes you to explore some of the trails in the park. You will see different landscapes, such as grasslands, swamps, rivers and waterfalls. You will also encounter some wildlife along the way. The hike lasts about 4 hours and costs 30 USD per person.

How to get there

Kibale Forest National Park is located in western Uganda, about 320 km from Kampala, the capital city. There are several ways to reach the park from different locations and modes of transportation. Some of the options are:

By road: You can drive to the park from Kampala via Mubende and Fort Portal, which takes about 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kasese and Fort Portal, which takes about 3 hours. You can also drive from Murchison Falls National Park via Masindi and Hoima, which takes about 7 hours.

By air: You can fly to the park from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield near Kampala. There are scheduled and charter flights available to Kasese or Fort Portal airstrips, which are about 1 hour drive from the park. You can book your flight with domestic airlines such as Aerolink or Fly Uganda.

By public transport: You can take a bus or a taxi from Kampala to Fort Portal, which costs about 35,000 UGX (9 USD) per person. From Fort Portal, you can take a taxi to the park, which costs about 10,000 UGX (3 USD) per person.