Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park, established in 1993, covers 766 square kilometres of tropical rainforest in western Uganda near Fort Portal. The forest canopy reaches heights of up to 55 metres, making it one of the most impressive mid-altitude rainforests in East Africa. The park has one of the highest densities and diversities of primates anywhere in Africa, with 13 primate species recorded — including an estimated 1,500 chimpanzees habituated through the Kibale Primate Habituation Project, roughly 17,000 Uganda red colobus monkeys (out of an estimated global population of 20,000), and the rare L'Hoest's monkey.

Chimpanzee tracking is the main draw. A Primate Walk from the Kanyanchu visitor centre costs $150 per person (including park entrance fees, 2026) and lasts 2–4 hours, including one hour spent observing a habituated chimpanzee group. A full-day chimpanzee habituation experience is also available for those wanting a longer, more immersive encounter. Beyond primates, Kibale supports over 300 bird species and more than 140 butterfly species, making it outstanding for birdwatching and nature photography.

The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary on the park's southern boundary is a community-managed wetland with excellent primate and bird viewing — it is one of Uganda's most successful community conservation projects. The Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lake Field, about 30 kilometres southeast of Fort Portal on the road to Kibale, offers scenic hiking through a landscape of over 50 volcanic crater lakes with views of the Rwenzori range.

Accommodation near Kibale ranges from forest-edge lodges within walking distance of the Kanyanchu trailhead to comfortable properties set among the crater lakes of Fort Portal.