Kibale Forest National Park
When a chimp whoops, you don’t really hear it. You feel it, somewhere deep within you. Some old part of you. Suddenly, you are no longer a detached observer; you are part of the …
Kibale has a good selection of properties. Thanks to good quality roads, the forest is accessible from properties in the Toro Crater Lakes area and Fort Portal, as well as those closer to the Kanyanchu Tourist Centre.
Sleep under the canopies of old trees or perched atop a ridge. Enjoy panoramic views of the rainforest and the Rwenzori mountain range, and for those more adventurous, take refuge high above in old-style treehouses.
There is a wide range of accommodation options near the park to suit all budgets.
Private cottages, with electricity, Wi-Fi and all the works are the most luxurious option, but there are great tented camps for those looking to rest a little closer to nature.
If you’re planning a chimp trek in Kibale, consider the distance to Kanyanchu, the start of the trail.
About an hour from the Forest, the small, bustling, town of Fort Portal offers a great place to stay if you want to explore the foothills of the northern Rwenzori Mountains and the Semliki Valley, as well as Kibale Forest.
Not only is Kyaninga Lodge an amazing place to stay, it also has an unforgettable story. Luxury cabins constructed from massive eucalyptus logs, built by self-taught builders, line the rim of the Kyaninga Crater looking down into the 220-metre lake below.
One of the most popular options in the Toro Crater Lakes area is Ndali Lodge in the Rwaihamba Cluster.
Owner-managed and set on a tea-estate established by the same family in the 1920s, the lodge has a quirky, English-country house feel with beautiful views to the west and the peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Elevated high on a ridge within the Crater Lake Area, Isunga Lodge has unmatched panoramic views of the rainforest, Rwenzori Mountains and the distant savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
When staying here, it is easy to feel like you have the place to yourself. Cottages are encompassed by an overgrown wild garden, creating total privacy, perfect for a few days of complete relaxation.
Isunga is conveniently 25 minutes away from Kayanchu, the trailhead for chimp trekking.
Just 10 minutes from the start of the chimpanzee trail, settled underneath a canopy of old trees, lies Kibale Forest Camp.
Staying in one of their thatched African style tents allows you to totally immerse yourself in the sounds of the rain forest and wildlife lovers will be able to see many rare birds and mammals. Sharp-eyed visitors may catch a glimpse of the rare Red Colobus from the main veranda.
The tents come with en-suite facilities, hot water, and private balcony.
Of course, many visitors don’t want to just visit the forest, they want to stay there; experiencing the transition between night and day, becoming enveloped in the endless sounds of birdsong, insects, animals pushing through the undergrowth and the heavy drops of tropical rain.
Located just a 5-minute walk from where the chimp treks begin, Primate Lodge is a very comfortable lodge in the heart of the forest. Each thatched cottage looks out into its own area of forest, while the open dining area and sitting room looks out onto a forest full of butterflies when the sun shines.
In town, the Mountains of the Moon Hotel, provides a less expensive and larger option.
It is a refurbished colonial-era hotel that serves tourist, business and local clientele alike.
If you prefer a simpler, backpacker style, option, then the Rwenzori View Guesthouse is always a popular choice.
When a chimp whoops, you don’t really hear it. You feel it, somewhere deep within you. Some old part of you. Suddenly, you are no longer a detached observer; you are part of the …
Uganda is one of the world's best primate destinations - and there are over 5,000 chimpanzees in the country. Kibale Forest National Park in the southwest of Uganda, is home to …
For those who want more than a brief encounter with the chimpanzees of Uganda, you can join the habituation team and head out into the Kibale Forest in search for groups of chimps …
By no means a support act to the gorillas, Uganda’s chimps are a draw in their own right. Occupying different habitats to the gorillas and living within distinct social …
High up in the canopy, the grey-cheeked mangabey jump from branch to branch, nimbly avoiding the woven grass nests of the blue turaco. Visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. Don't miss …
The tours below showcase just some of what is possible. Use these itineraries as starting points, or to draw inspiration. Then get in touch, and let our expert team help craft the perfect itinerary for you.
Discover the exceptional bio-diversity of Uganda by combining the beautiful savannah grasslands of Murchison Falls National Park with chimpanzee trekking in the forests of Kibale National Park. Connect the dots with epic road trips looping through northwestern Uganda.…
If you had the chance to trek through lush forests; to stand metres away from a family of Mountain Gorillas - deep in the heart of Central Africa - would you take it? This 4-day adventure works great as a…
Spend 4 hours in the company of a gorilla family by joining the habituation trek. Combined with a luxury safari at Queen Elizabeth National Park, this trip offers truly once-in-a-lifetime wildlife…
Board a Cessna light aircraft and head into the southwestern pocket of Uganda. Trek through the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in search of the mountain gorillas. Retreat to luxury lodges for sundowners and delicious food. Hard days, soft…
Travel to the farthest corners of Uganda where towering volcanoes mark the border between the thick jungles of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the untamed vastness of central Africa. After trekking the gorillas in Mgahinga, head inland for a couple…
The full western circuit complete with luxury lodges, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, and the best safaris Uganda has to offer. Close out your adventure with kayaking and canoeing on the rapids of the river Nile.…
Combine chimp trekking in Kibale Forest with mountain gorilla treks in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. A well-paced highlights tour unlocking some of Uganda's most impressive experiences. Consider breaking up the journey from Kibale to Bwindi with a classic safari at…
The quintessence of Ugandan exploration. Start your adventure in the wild Kidepo Valley in the northern tip of Uganda before weaving down to meet the gorillas in southwestern jungles. Epic landscapes, incredible safaris, and luxury lodges; this is a proper…
Open top road trips looping through Uganda's epic southwestern pocket; this is the safari adventure of your imagination. Track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, go in search of gorillas in Bwindi, cruise the savannah plains of Queens, and look out for…
Combine safaris in Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park with a 4 day gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Top and tail with overnights in the bustling capital of Kampala.…
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
Get in touch and we can help you understand your options, design an itinerary that's right for you, and then get you set up and ready to go.
+1 315 636-4279This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Privacy policy