The primate capital of Africa, best known for chimpanzee trekking.
Western Uganda, south of Fort Portal, adjoining Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Size & Established: Roughly 766 km² (some sources cite 370–795 km² depending on boundary definitions); gazetted as a national park in 1993/2006.
Terrain & Ecosystem: Lush, mid-altitude tropical rainforest interspersed with grassland, swamp, and the adjoining Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary — considered the primate capital of Africa.
Wildlife: 13 primate species — the highest primate diversity and density on the continent — including an estimated 1,500+ chimpanzees, red colobus, L'Hoest's monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and black-and-white colobus; forest elephants (rarely seen); rich forest birdlife.
Main Activities: Chimpanzee trekking, the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX — a full day with researchers), guided walks through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, night walks for nocturnal species like bushbabies and pottos, birdwatching, crater lake visits.
Best Time to Visit: December to February and June to September are driest, though chimps can be tracked year-round.
Getting There: About 5 hours by road from Kampala to Fort Portal, then a short drive to the park; charter flights available to nearby airstrips.
13 primate species, boasting the highest primate diversity and density in Africa, including over 1,500 chimpanzee individuals, red colobus, L'Hoest's monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys, alongside rich forest birdlife.
A full-day, in-depth version of chimp trekking in Kibale where visitors follow researchers habituating chimps from dawn nest-departure to dusk.
Forest hikes (Kibale, Kyambura Gorge, Budongo, Semuliki) tracking wild chimpanzee troops through the canopy and undergrowth.
Trekking through bamboo forest in Mgahinga to observe endangered golden monkeys, an activity unique to the Virunga region.
Ranger-led walks through forest or wetland habitats for close encounters with smaller wildlife, flora, and birdlife, offered in nearly every park.
R & M Wild Safaris