Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is a national park in western Uganda, protecting moist evergreen rainforest. It is 766 square kilometres (296 sq mi) in size and ranges between 1,100 metres (3,600 ft) and 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) in elevation. Despite encompassing primarily moist evergreen forest, it contains a diverse array of landscapes. Kibale is one of the last remaining expanses to contain both lowland and montane forests. In eastern Africa, it sustains the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest.

The park was gazetted in 1932 and formally established in 1993 to protect a large area of forest previously managed as a logged forest reserve. The park forms a continuous forest with Queen Elizabeth National Park. This adjoining of the parks creates a 180 kilometres (110 mi) wildlife corridor. It is an important ecotourism and safari destination, well-known for its population of habituated chimpanzees and twelve other species of primates. It is also the location of the Makerere University Biological Field Station.

Kibale’s most popular activity is the Kanyanchu Primate Walk. Thirteen species can be sought, and a good variety of diurnal monkeys invariably encountered, but the stars of this twice-daily show are chimpanzees.

Kibale’s most popular activity is the Kanyanchu Primate Walk. Thirteen species can be sought, and a good variety of diurnal monkeys invariably encountered, but the stars of this trail are the chimpanzees. Kanyanchu’s chimps have been tracked since 1993 and the chances of locating them are excellent. Guided walks start at 8am and 2pm and last an average of three hours, depending on various factors.

The perennially popular primate walk provides the chance to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Kanyanchu’s groups are accustomed to human presence – some have been observed for over 25 years – and the chance of locating them is over 90%. Walks leave Kanyanchu Visitor Centre at 08.00, 11.00 and 14.00 and last between 2-5 hours. Early arrival to allow for registration and briefing is recommended. Contact time with chimpanzees is limited to one hour; group size is limited to six visitors; participants must be aged 16 or over. Advance booking is essential.

This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 370 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.The Nahan’s francolin, cassin’s spinetail, blue headed bee-eater and low-land masked apalis.

Most prominent among Kibale’s primates  is the chimpanzee population surge of about 1,500 individuals, divided into atleast a dozen different communities, four of which are habituated to humans.The Kanyantale community has been subject to daily tourist tracking since 1993.

Activities At Kibale National Park

1. Chimpanzee Habituation Experience

Chimpanzee habituation involves joining our habituation research team as they carry out their daily assignment of making a community of chimpanzees accustomed to human visits. This is a great experience for researchers as well as photographers who would love to spend a bit more time with the chimps. For half-a-day tourists participating in the CHEX activity will need to secure a chimpanzee habituation permit. Like chimpanzee tracking, this activity starts with a briefing at the park headquarters, however, this is much earlier at around 6:30 AM. Read more about our booking guidelines and chimpanzee habituation rules.

2. Birding

There are over 375 recorded bird species in Kibale National Park including one of Uganda’s most sought-after birds, the Green-breasted pitta. Birding in Kibale happens all year round and like all other park activities, tourists will be accompanied by one of our expert ranger guides.

3. Nature Walks

Aside from chimpanzees and the park’s many primate species, tourists can pick some interest in the park’s nature walks to discover some of its residents including mammals like the duikers, forest hogs, butterflies, and the rich vegetation. There are also several amphibian and reptile species as well. The park has a resident population of African forest elephants as well, although these can be aggressive and is partly why a ranger guide must accompany tourists at all times. Night nature walks will offer chances to see some of the nocturnal animals like bush babies, tree hyraxes, and civets.

4. Chimpanzee Tracking

Kibale National Park is most popular for its population of chimpanzees and is considered the best place to track wild chimpanzees on earth. Chimpanzee tracking is the ultimate highlight for visitors to this park. Over several years of conservation and habituation, the chance of seeing them has risen to over 95%. Tourists can choose from either a morning or afternoon trek both beginning with a necessary briefing and led by an expert ranger guide. Treks can typically last anywhere from 2 to 5 hours depending on where the animals are on a particular day. A maximum of 6 tourists per group is permitted to spend a full hour with a community of chimpanzees. All tourists on chimpanzee tracking safaris to Bwindi will need a chimpanzee permit. Read more about our booking guidelines and chimpanzee tracking rules.

5. Community Visits

Kibale National Park is located in one of the most culturally unique spots in Uganda. Tourists can easily combine a chimpanzee tracking safari with a visit to the Bigodi community, a cycling adventure or community walk through one of the tree plantations, coffee tours, a visit to the mysterious caves at Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru as well as exploring some of Toro kingdom’s other cultural sites including the king’s own palace.

How To Get To The Park

By Road

The quickest route to Kibale National Park from Kampala city is through the Kampala-Fort Portal highway. The park can be reached over a fully-tarmacked road for a distance of 326 kilometres (approximately 6 hours). For tourists overnighting in Fort portal city, the park is only an hour’s drive away.

There is also the alternative but longer option of going through Mbarara city with an optional stopover at Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

By Air

Whereas there aren’t any direct flights into the park, tourists can either schedule or charter flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kasese Airstrip through one of the domestic carriers. The flight lasts about 1 hour. From here tourists will transfer by road for about 2 hours to the park headquarters. There is also the option of chartered flights to Fort Portal for 1 hour and 30 minutes.