Kibale National Park holds the highest primate density of any park in East Africa and is Uganda’s best chimpanzee tracking destination, set within a lush, mid-altitude rainforest near Fort Portal.
Key Highlights
- Highest primate density of any national park in East Africa
- Thirteen primate species recorded, including chimpanzees, red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys
- Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run birding walk, sits just outside the park
- Located near Fort Portal, within reach of the Rwenzori Mountains and several crater lakes
- Chimpanzee habituation experience available for a longer, full-day visit
Wildlife and Activities
Chimpanzee tracking is Kibale’s main draw, but the forest also holds red and black-and-white colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and strong birdlife. Just outside the park, the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary adds a shorter walk focused on birds and smaller primates.
Getting There
Kibale is close to Fort Portal in western Uganda, roughly a day’s drive from Kampala, and typically reached as part of a loop that includes Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south.
Combining Kibale With Other Parks
Kibale pairs naturally with Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives immediately after chimp tracking, and with a side trip to Semuliki National Park or the Rwenzori foothills for travelers with extra time in western Uganda.
Plan Your Kibale Visit
Tell us if you’d like the standard tracking permit or the longer habituation experience and we’ll fit Kibale into your western Uganda route.