National park · Uganda
Kibale Forest National Park
Do a dry‑season chimp trek (entry UGX 30 000–45 000, CHEX UGX 150 000–200 000, check) in June–July or Dec–Feb; skip bird‑walk price.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
795 km² (307 sq mi)307 sq mi (795 km²)
approximate
Established
1993
Best months
Jun–Jul
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Uganda ↗Get the Uganda e-visa or East Africa Tourist Visa on the official immigration portal before flying, and carry a yellow fever certificate: Uganda asks all arriving travellers for one.
- Uganda ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead for malaria prevention, and check current outbreak notices: Ebola and Marburg outbreaks have occurred in the region, most recently in 2026.
- Uganda ↗Book gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits before you fix dates; the lodge booking follows the permit, not the other way round.
- Uganda ↗Domestic light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Western Uganda ↗Gorilla permits are sold per person per trek and must be booked through a licensed operator; carry the printed permit and your passport to the trailhead.
- Western Uganda ↗Uganda checks a yellow fever certificate on arrival for all travellers.
- Western Uganda ↗Carry cash in Ugandan shillings for park gates, fuel and village stops; card machines fail outside the bigger towns.
At a glance
- Country
- Uganda
- Area
- 795 km² (307 sq mi)307 sq mi (795 km²)
- Official area is about 795 km² (check official source for any recent changes).
- Established
- 1993
- Best months
- Jun–Jul
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Fort Portal
Kibale Forest National Park offers high‑success chimpanzee tracking and some of Central Africa’s best birding, with easy access from Fort Portal and a range of short to full‑day forest walks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1993.
Size and age
795 km² (307 sq mi)307 sq mi (795 km²) · national park since 1993
Official area is about 795 km² (check official source for any recent changes).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Fort Portal.
Why go
- Chimpanzee habituation experience with a UWA ranger.
- One of East Africa’s top birding sites, especially March‑May.
- Walk among towering mahogany and bamboo in a humid forest.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprAvoid
- MayAvoid
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctAvoid
- NovAvoid
- DecGo
- JanDry enough, good for chimps.
- FebDry, comfortable temps.
- MarStart of wet season, trails slick.
- AprPeak rains, roads muddy.
- MayHeavy rain, difficult trekking.
- JunDriest period, ideal chimp trek.
- JulDry, good wildlife viewing.
- AugWet, 4WD needed on roads.
- SepWet, trails muddy.
- OctWet, trails muddy.
- NovWet, occasional dry spells.
- DecDry, good for chimps.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)All year · High success rates in dry months. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Forest birds (e.g., green broadbill, African finch)Mar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Elephants (rare sightings)Jun–Aug | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kibale headquarters | Visitor centre, ticket office, and short forest trails. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Chimpanzee tracking area | Habituated chimp groups, accessed via guided trek. | Guide required. |
| Birding sector | Open forest and swamp trails for birdwatching. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate centre of the park; exact gate location may differ.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | UGX 30,000–45,000 | person | check |
| Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) | UGX 150,000–200,000 | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Chimp trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- UGX 30,000–45,000
- UGX 150,000–200,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Kibale Forest National Park – official site before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for chimp tracking and any trek beyond the headquarters area.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no open fires.
- Camping
- Allowed only at designated campsites such as Primate Lodge; not permitted elsewhere in the forest.
Where to stay
In the park
Kibale Forest Camp
Basic rooms and shared facilities within the park.
Near the park
Fort Portal hotels
Range of budget to mid‑range options, 30 km (19 mi) from gate.Range of budget to mid‑range options, 19 mi (30 km) from gate.
Safety
Leeches and ticks low
Getting lost on long trek high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Headquarters area reachable by car with short walks.
- Long treks involve uneven terrain, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support lodges that employ local staff and use solar power.
- Avoid buying souvenirs made from wildlife parts.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kibale Forest National Park?
Entry is UGX 30,000–45,000 per person; the chimpanzee habituation experience adds UGX 150,000–200,000.
What are the best hikes in Kibale Forest National Park?
The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (6–8 h) and the birdwatching walk (3–4 h) are the most popular trails.
When is the best time to visit Kibale Forest National Park?
The dry months June–July and December–February give the best conditions for chimp tracking and comfortable hiking.
Do I need a guide for the chimp trek?
Yes, a licensed UWA ranger must accompany all chimpanzee tracking groups.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not permitted; stay at Kibale Forest Camp or in Fort Portal.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Kibale Forest National Park
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