Photo Simone Dinoia / UnsplashWhy you go
Why go to Kibale Forest
Kibale is a tall, moist tropical forest in western Uganda with one of the highest concentrations of primates in Africa, including a large habituated chimpanzee community. Tracking the chimps — often noisy, often high in the canopy — is the park's signature.
On the forest edge, the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary adds papyrus specials, the great blue turaco and more monkeys. Birders come for the Green-breasted Pitta, which displays at dawn in the wetter months.
Signature experiences
Chimpanzee tracking
A guided morning with a habituated chimpanzee community.
Bigodi swamp walk
Community-run birding and primates on the forest edge.
Forest birding
The Green-breasted Pitta and a long list of forest specials.
In pictures
Kibale Forest, before you ever arrive
Representative photography of this destination's landscapes and wildlife — tap any photo to view it full screen.
When to go
The year at Kibale Forest, month by month
The best time for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest is January to February and June to July. Drier trails make the morning treks easier, and sighting success in Kibale is high year-round — May and December are also good.
Best time to visit
Kibale Forest
Driest spell
16° at night
Computed for mid-Jul (±2 min) · across Jul sunrise drifts 06:58–07:00, sunset 19:06–19:09
Drier trails make the morning treks easier, and sighting success in Kibale is high year-round — May and December are also good.
Getting there
Getting to Kibale Forest
Overland from Kampala via Fort Portal, the gateway town a short drive north of the forest; often paired with Queen Elizabeth.
Safaris that visit
11 journeys go here
7-Day Uganda Amazing Safari
A seven-day Uganda safari through Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi national parks, with chimpanzee tracking, game drives, a Kazinga Channel boat cruise and mountain gorilla trekking.
11 Day Uganda Safari
An eleven-day Uganda safari covering Ziwa rhinos, Kibale chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi gorillas, Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo. It begins and ends at Entebbe with a stop at the Equator.
14 Days Forest Birding Safari
A fourteen-day birding tour through Uganda's forests, from Mabira and Budongo to Kibale, Semliki and Bwindi, focused on rainforest and Albertine Rift endemic species. Chimpanzee and gorilla tracking are available as options.
14-Day Amazing Safari in Uganda
A fourteen-day Uganda tour running from Sipi Falls and Karamoja to Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi. It combines game drives and gorilla and chimpanzee tracking with rhino tracking and Lake Bunyonyi.
15 Days Uganda Tour
A fifteen-day Uganda circuit taking in Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi gorillas, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, with chimpanzee and rhino tracking. The tour closes with adventure activities in Jinja and a Kampala city tour.
16 Day Uganda Rwanda Safari
A sixteen-day journey across Uganda and Rwanda combining gorilla and chimpanzee tracking with savanna game drives, the Nile, Lake Kivu, Nyungwe Forest and Akagera. The route ends in Kigali with a city tour and Genocide Memorial visit.
17 Day Uganda Wildlife & Gorilla Safari
A seventeen-day safari through Uganda's forests, mountains and savannahs, including chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, an extended Rwenzori Mountains hike, game viewing in Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo, and gorilla trekking in Bwindi.
17 Days Primates & Uganda Natural History
A seventeen-day journey combining Uganda's natural history with its cultural heritage, taking in Kampala, Jinja, Mbale, Sipi Falls, Fort Portal and the primate forests of Kibale and Queen Elizabeth. Includes chimpanzee tracking and visits to historic sites.
Good to know
Kibale Forest: questions travellers ask
- How much is a chimpanzee permit for Kibale Forest?
- US$250 per person for a foreign non-resident, issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), falling to US$200 in April, May and November. Figures as reported in June 2026; we confirm the current rate with every quote.
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