Search

GBP (£)

GBP (£)
US DOLLARS ($)

+44 207 384 2332 Plan Your Trip

GBP (£)

GBP (£)
US DOLLARS ($)

+44 207 384 2332 Plan Your Trip

+44 207 384 2332 Plan your trip

Uganda

Kibale National Park

HIGHLIGHTS
GALLERY
HOTELS
GOOD TO KNOW
ENQUIRE

Why visit Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is one of the best places in Africa to see wild chimpanzees. The park has a high success rate for sightings, and tracking is done on foot, which makes the experience feel immediate and real. You may watch chimps feed, groom and call to one another from the treetops. With 13 primate species recorded here, it is also one of the richest forests in Africa for monkey tracking.

Beyond the chimps, Kibale protects a wide stretch of tropical rainforest filled with birds, butterflies and rare forest mammals. The landscape shifts between dense forest, wetlands and open clearings, giving each walk a different feel. Its location in western Uganda also makes it easy to combine with savannah game-viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park or gorilla tracking further south-west.

Did you know?

The park’s Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a haven for rare and semi-aquatic species, including sitatungas, otters, and marsh-dwelling birds.

"Primate Capital"

With 13 species and the highest concentration of primates in Africa, Kibale National park has earned itself the nickname “Primate Capital”

Highlights of Kibale National Park

Chimpanzee trekking: Kibale has habituated chimpanzee groups that you can track on foot with guides. Sightings are highly likely, which is why it’s considered one of Africa’s best chimp habitats.
Primate diversity: The park is home to 13 recorded primate species, including red colobus, black-and-white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary: This nearby 4 km boardwalk trail runs through papyrus and swamp habitats, supporting monkeys, birds, and butterflies.
Guided forest walks: Expert guides explain forest ecology, plant uses, and animal behaviour. These walks are standard in park visits.
Birdwatching: Over 370 bird species have been recorded, including turacos, hornbills, and Nahan’s francolin, making Kibale a recognised birding site.
Varied terrain: The park contains dense rainforest, swampy wetlands, and forest clearings, creating diverse habitats for wildlife.
Nocturnal wildlife: Night walks can reveal bush babies, pottos, and occasionally giant forest hogs, which are native to the area.
Forest research and conservation: Kibale hosts long-term primate and ecological research, contributing important data to chimpanzee and rainforest conservation studies.

Gallery

Where to stay

Best hotels in Kibale National Park

Nothing but the best. Browse our handpicked, tried-and-tested luxury hotels.

Volcanoes Kibale Lodge, Kibale Forest, Uganda

Luxury Lodge

Volcanoes Kibale Lodge, Kibale National Park

Full Details

Good to know

Getting to Kibale National Park

The main international gateway in Uganda is Entebbe International Airport. From here, the drive to Kibale National Park usually takes between five and six hours.

Is Kibale National Park a good place for families?

Kibale National Park works well for families with older children. Alongside chimpanzee tracking, there are gentle forest walks, monkey-spotting and time in nearby wetlands, though the minimum age for chimpanzee tracking is usually 12–15 years.

Which destinations combine well with Kibale National Park?

Kibale National Park pairs beautifully with other parks in western Uganda. Just two to three hours south lies Queen Elizabeth National Park, where open savannah replaces rainforest and lion, elephant and buffalo roam. Continue further south-west to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla tracking, creating a powerful primate-focused journey.

For a wider circuit, head north to Murchison Falls National Park for classic game-viewing and a boat trip to the base of the falls, where the Nile forces through a narrow gorge.

When to go

Best time to visit

Good time to visit

Average time to visit

OUR FAVOURITE TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Kibale National Park is during the dry seasons, from December to February and June to September. Trails are easier to navigate, forest paths are less muddy, and chimpanzee tracking is generally more comfortable.