Kibale National Park, covering 766 sq km near Fort Portal in western Uganda, holds one of the highest concentrations of primates anywhere in Africa and is widely known as the chimpanzee capital of the world. First gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932 and formally established as a national park in 1993, Kibale’s mix of lowland and montane forest supports 13 primate species living side by side within a single protected area.
The park at a glance
- 766 sq km near Fort Portal in western Uganda
- Gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932; formally established as a national park in 1993
- Home to 13 primate species, one of the highest counts of any African park
- Site of the Makerere University Biological Field Station, supporting decades of primate research
The chimpanzee capital of the world
Kibale’s chimpanzee population includes several well-studied, habituated communities, among the most extensively researched groups of wild chimpanzees anywhere, making trekking here reliable and richly informative. Alongside chimpanzees, the forest holds red colobus, black-and-white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and several other primate species, along with forest elephants, buffalo and more than 370 recorded bird species. The park’s combination of both lowland and montane forest types is rare in East Africa and supports this exceptional diversity.
The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Just outside the park’s boundary, the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary offers guided walks through papyrus swamp forest, home to several primate species not easily seen inside Kibale itself, along with excellent birdlife, and proceeds directly support the surrounding community, making it a popular complement to a chimpanzee trekking visit.
Things to do
- Chimpanzee trekking among Kibale’s habituated communities
- The chimpanzee habituation experience, spending an extended day with researchers and guides
- Guided walks through the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
- Birdwatching across the park’s lowland and montane forest zones
Practical information
- Reached from Fort Portal, about 35 km, or a full day’s drive from Kampala
- Chimpanzee trekking permits should be booked in advance, especially in peak season
- Best visited in the dry seasons, June to September and December to February, for easier forest trails
Kibale National Park offers Uganda’s most reliable chimpanzee trekking alongside exceptional primate diversity. Offmap Safaris can combine it with Fort Portal, the Rwenzori Mountains or Queen Elizabeth National Park. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.
