Kibale National Park Website

Located in western Uganda, in the districts of Kabarole (Fort Portal), Kyenjojo, and Kamwenge, Kibale Forest National Park covers an area of 776 sq km with an average elevation of 1,110 meters above sea level. The park protects some of the last remaining parts of the African lowland montane forests.

It is also connected to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the south. There is a small wildlife corridor of about 180 km that joins Kibale Forest National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Kibale has one of the highest levels of natural life found in any national park in Africa. It protects over 1,500 chimpanzees living freely in their natural home and also the endangered Red Colobus monkey.

Kibale Forest National Park is one of Uganda’s newer parks. It was officially made a national park in 1993 to protect the large number of chimpanzees in the forest. The park is home to 13 different primate species. The common chimpanzee is the main attraction, but visitors also often see baboons, Red-Tailed Monkeys, and Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys. The chimpanzees have been habituated for tourism for about 27 years.

Kibale National Park Video (4K Resolution)

About 77% of the park is covered with semi-deciduous tropical rain-forest. The remaining 23%, found in the southern part of the park, is made up of savannah and papyrus swamps.

The park also has over 375 bird species, including 6 that are only found in the Albertine Rift region. The Green-Breasted Pitta is a key attraction for bird watchers. Kibale has around 60 different mammal species, including Forest Elephants, Bush Pigs, Giant Forest Hogs, and Warthogs. There are also over 250 tree species, which give shelter to more than 200 types of butterflies.

Kibale Tourist Attractions & Activities

Chimpanzee Trekking

This is the main tourist activity in Kibale Forest National Park, and it has been taking place since 1993. The activity happens twice a day: the morning session starts at 8:00 am, and the afternoon session begins at 2:00 pm. However, a mid-morning session starting at 11:00 am has been added because of the high number of tourists, especially in the busy season.

To trek chimpanzees in Kibale, you need a chimpanzee trekking permit. This permit costs $250 for foreign non-residents and can be bought from the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala or through a tour operator.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale starts with a meeting and registration at the park headquarters in Kanyanchu. You are then assigned an armed wildlife ranger guide. Each ranger takes a group of up to 6 people. Before the trek, the ranger will explain the rules, give background information about the park, and tell you what to expect. An advance team goes into the forest early in the morning to locate the chimpanzees. Your guide keeps in touch with this team until you find them. The trek takes about 2 to 4 hours, and once you find the chimps, you spend 1 hour observing them and taking photos and videos.

It is important to wear good waterproof boots because the forest ground is wet. You should also bring long-sleeved shirts, a rain jacket, packed lunch, and enough drinking water. Children under 15 years are not allowed to trek chimpanzees in Uganda.

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience

This process takes about 2 years. It helps chimpanzees get used to humans before trekking begins. Tourists come to the park headquarters before sunrise and go into the forest with trackers or researchers.

The chimpanzee habituation experience (CHEX) allows tourists to get close to wild chimpanzees while they feed and move around. This process is done daily until the group is used to people. After that, the group is opened for trekking. A permit for chimpanzee habituation costs $300 for foreign non-residents.

Nature Walks in the Park

Kibale Forest National Park has a 12 km nature walk trail that passes through papyrus swamps. The walk takes about 6 hours. With the help of a ranger guide, you can learn about different tree species and spot birds such as the Masked Apalis, Yellow-Spotted Barbet, Great Blue Turaco, Robin Chat, Papyrus Gonolek, Nahan’s Francolin, and Black-and-White Casqued Hornbill, Ross’s Turaco, among others.

Bird Watching Excursions

The park has over 375 bird species, including 6 that are only found in the Albertine Rift Valley. The Green-Breasted Pitta is the main attraction for bird watchers. Bird watching in Kibale National Park starts as early as 7:00 am with an experienced ranger guide. It is advised to bring your own binoculars, bird book, and a camera with a good lens. Other birds often seen in Kibale include Masked Apalis, Yellow-Spotted Barbet, Nahan’s Francolin, and Black-and-White Casqued Hornbill, Ross’s Turaco, among others.

Bigodi Community and Swamp Walk

The Bigodi Community is about 6 km from the park in Magombe Swamp. It is known for its natural richness. The swamp walk is run by a local group called KAFRED (Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development). Their goal is to improve the lives of people living near the park. Bird watchers can see up to 138 bird species here.

You may also see primates like the Red-Tailed Monkey, Black-and-White Colobus Monkey, L’Hoest’s Monkey, and sometimes Chimpanzees. Community tours include a visit to Bigodi village, where you meet local people and learn about their daily lives.

You can join activities such as coffee tours, banana gin brewing, and visiting a local African traditional healer.

Crater Tours Around Kibale Forest

There are over 60 crater lakes in the Tooro region where Kibale is located. These lakes were formed by volcanic eruptions and natural wear and tear. Crater tours are usually done in the afternoon after chimpanzee trekking. Some of the most visited lakes include Lake Nkuruba, Ndali Crater Lake, and Lake Nyinambuga. The views from the top of these lakes are very beautiful.

What you should Know – Facts about Kibale

When you arrive in Kibale National Park, you may want to explore everything the park has to offer. But below are some facts you need to know first.

There are no scheduled flights to Kibale

You may be surprised, but it is true. Kibale does not have an airstrip. If you want to use air transport, there are only charter flights from Entebbe under AeroLink that land in Kasese.

After Kasese, you are advised to use road transport up to Kibale National Park. Do not be discouraged because the distance is reasonable.

Lodges at Kibale range from luxury, moderate to humble

Kibale is not only filled with chimpanzees but also has good accommodations that suit all visitors throughout the year. The luxury lodges are comfortable and best for visitors with a higher budget.

These include Kibale Forest Camp, Chimpundu Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Ndali Lodge, and Primate Safari Lodge.

If you want to relax in a green setting, moderate facilities are also available. These include Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Mountains of the Moon Hotel, Chimps Nest Lodge, Turaco Treetops, Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, Isunga Lodge, and many others.

The gates of Kibale are open for every visitor. That is why the park has affordable lodges for everyone to enjoy life. Some are located inside and around the park.

These include Rwenzori View Guest House, Tinka’s Homestead, Tororo Fairway Hotel, Crater Valley Kibale, Lake Nyamirima Cottages, Lake Lyantonde Eco Campsite, Fort Heights Homestay, Yes Hotel, and Mwamba Kelele Lodge.

Capital of Primates

Kibale is recorded as the only place in Africa with the highest number of primates in a tropical rain-forest. This is why it is called the “Capital of Primates.”

For many years, the park has received tourists from all over the world who come to enjoy chimpanzee trekking.

There are over 1,500 chimpanzees in the forest. When you visit, you will enjoy watching how they feed, search for food, look after their young ones, and more.

Trekkers must be 15 years and above

If you are below 15 years, you are not allowed to enter the forest. You may not follow the rules and could cause trouble for others. Children stay with park staff who organize special activities for them, while those who qualify go into the forest. Your travel documents will be checked to confirm if you are allowed to take part.

Tipping is not compulsory

It is true that giving shows kindness, but if you do not have enough, you should not feel forced to tip. Tipping is a way of saying thank you for good service.

It is a good idea to carry small notes or change your money into Uganda shillings because many people do not know how to use forex bureaus.

Best Time to Visit Kibale

The dry months from June to September are the best time to visit. Daytime temperatures can go up to 25°C, and animals are easier to see as they gather near water sources. January and February are also good months to visit.

The rainy season runs from March to May and again from October to mid-December. During these months, trekking becomes more difficult because the paths are wet, muddy, and slippery. Sightings of animals may also be fewer due to bad weather.

How to Get There

Kibale is one of the easiest national parks to reach and has a well-maintained road network. It is about 320 km from Kampala by road. You drive to Fort Portal City, and just after the Mpanga River Bridge, you turn left towards Kamwenge. From there, it is 26 km to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre, which is the main entrance to the park.

If you are on a short visit or do not want to drive for 6 to 7 hours from Entebbe, you can take a charter flight from Entebbe. AeroLink and Fly Uganda offer flights to Kasese (Nyakasanga Airstrip), which is only a 1-hour drive to the park. This option is more expensive and is mostly chosen by tourists on luxury safaris in Uganda.

Map of Kibale National Park

Accommodation Around Kibale Forest National Park

Accommodation within the national park is limited to a high-end lodge at Kanyanchu and budget cottages managed by UWA at Sebitoli. Many other places to stay, for all types of budgets, can be found around Bigodi village, south of Kanyanchu, and in the Ndali-Kasenda Crater Area to the west. Recent road improvements have made it easy to reach early morning activities in Kibale from hotels in and around Fort Portal.

Below are some of the popular accommodation options for Kibale National Park.

Luxury Lodges / Accommodation:

• Primate Lodge (inside the park)
• Kyaninga Lodge
• Ndali Lodge
• Papaya Lake Lodge
• Turaco Treetops

Mid-range Lodges / Accommodation:

• Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
• Crater Safari Lodge
• Kibale Forest Camp
• Isunga Lodge

Budget Accommodation / Lodges:

• Kibale Forest Lodge
• Lake Nkuruba Lodge
• Ruwenzori View Guest House

Frequently Asked Questions about Kibale Forest National Park

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers about Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda.

• Where is Kibale Forest National Park located? Kibale is in western Uganda.
• Which districts are near Kibale Forest National Park? Kabarole, Kyenjojo, and Kamwenge.
• How big is Kibale Forest National Park? It covers 776 square kilometers.
• What is the average elevation of Kibale Forest? It is 1,110 meters above sea level.
• Which national park connects to Kibale in the south? Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• What is the wildlife corridor between Kibale and Queen Elizabeth? It is about 180 kilometers long.
• How many chimpanzees live in Kibale? Over 1,500 chimpanzees.
• What is special about the Red Colobus monkey in Kibale? It is endangered and protected in the park.
• When was Kibale made a national park? It was made a national park in 1993.
• How many primate species are in Kibale? There are 13 primate species.
• Which primate is most common in Kibale? The common chimpanzee.
• What other primates can you see in Kibale? Baboons, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys.
• What type of forest is found in Kibale? Semi-deciduous tropical rain-forest.
• What part of Kibale is covered by Savannah? About 23% in the south of the park.
• How many bird species are in the park? Over 375 bird species.
• Which bird is popular for bird watchers in Kibale? The green-breasted pitta.
• How many mammal species are in Kibale? About 60 mammal species.
• What large animals live in Kibale Forest? Forest elephants, bush pigs, forest hogs, warthogs.
• How many tree species are in Kibale? Over 250 tree species.
• What insects are common in Kibale? More than 200 butterfly species.
• What is the main tourist activity in Kibale? Chimpanzee trekking.
• How much does a chimpanzee trekking permit cost? $250 for foreign non-residents.
• What time does chimpanzee trekking start? 8:00 am, 11:00 am, and 2:00 pm.
• How long does the trekking take? 2 to 4 hours.
• Can children trek chimpanzees in Kibale? No, children must be 15 years and above.
• What is chimpanzee habituation? Helping chimps get used to humans.
• How long does habituation take? About 2 years.
• How long is the nature walk trail? 12 kilometers long.
• Where is Bigodi Swamp located? About 6 km from Kibale Park.
• Why is Kibale called the Capital of Primates? Because it has the most primates in one forest.