Kibale National Park
Thirteen primate species and the best chimpanzee tracking in East Africa
Kibale is a tall, green, closed-canopy forest with an exceptional density of primates. Chimpanzee tracking here has a high success rate, and the surrounding Bigodi wetland adds birds, monkeys and a well-run community walk.
Why visit
- Thirteen primate species in one forest
- High chance of finding chimpanzees
- The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary community walk
- Crater lakes nearby around Fort Portal
- Pairs naturally with Queen Elizabeth
Wildlife
Chimpanzee, red colobus, black-and-white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, L'Hoest's monkey, forest elephant and around 375 bird species.
Activities
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Chimpanzee habituation experience
- Bigodi wetland walk
- Night forest walk
- Crater lake exploring
Halal dining here
Arranged with your lodge in advance. Fort Portal has a wider choice of dining than the forest lodges.
Prayer
Tracking briefings begin at 8am and 2pm, which sits comfortably around Fajr and Asr. We plan the day so Dhuhr is not rushed.
Good to know
Kibale in pictures
Questions about Kibale
Standard tracking gives you one hour with a habituated group. The habituation experience means a full day with researchers and a community that is still becoming used to people — longer, more demanding, and a different kind of encounter.
They move faster and higher, so you may spend more time looking up than walking hard. Success rates in Kibale are high but, as with all wildlife, not guaranteed.
Add Kibale to your itinerary
Tell us your dates and the rest of your route, and we'll fit it together.