Best places to stay during Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Best places to stay during Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

The 766km squared Kibale Forest National Park extends southwards from the Fort portal to form a contiguous block with the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp, the dominant vegetation type is rainforest, spanning altitudes of 1,100-1,590m and with a floral composition transitional to typical eastern Afro-montane and western lowland forest.

Kibale’s most popular activity is the Kanyanchu Primate Walk. Thirteen species can be sought, and a good variety of diurnal monkeys invariably encountered, but the stars of this trail are the chimpanzees. Kanyanchu’s chimps have been tracked since 1993 and the chances of locating them are excellent. Guided walks start at 8 am and 2 pm and last an average of three hours, depending on various factors.

The perennially popular primate walk provides the chance to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Kanyanchu groups are accustomed to human presence – some have been observed for over 25 years – and the chance of locating them is over 90%. Walks leave Kanyanchu Visitor Centre at 08.00, 11.00, and 14.00 and last between 2-5 hours. Early arrival to allow for registration and briefing is recommended. Contact time with chimpanzees is limited to one hour; group size is limited to six visitors; participants must be aged 12 or over. Advance booking is essential as the chimpanzee permits are sold on first come first serve basis and there are no guarantees to the availability of the permits for your travel dates.

Where to stay

There are several places in and around the forest where you can stay and also the fort portal area has some of the most dramatic landscapes in Uganda and there are several lodges dotted around the area 1 hour drive to the starting point for the chimpanzee trek, for anything beyond what is in this list please contact our Africa adventure experts today for a tailor made holiday.