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Western Uganda, near Fort Portal

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest

Chimpanzees, a papyrus swamp full of monkeys, and tea country on the way in. Kibale is where most of our western circuits begin.

See the 19 trips that go here Ask us about it

Sun at Kibale today Sunrise 06:40 Sunset 18:45

A close portrait of a chimpanzee with a soft expression in Kibale

Kibale at a glance

19
Trips that visit here
06:40
Sunrise at Kibale today
18:45
Sunset at Kibale today
12.1hours
Of daylight today
  • Known for Chimpanzee trekking, with more than 1,500 chimpanzees in the forest
  • Primates Thirteen species, chimpanzees among them
  • Standard trek A briefing, a forest walk and one hour with the chimpanzees
  • Habituation A longer experience of up to four hours with chimpanzees
  • Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary A guided papyrus walk for monkeys, birds and butterflies
  • Lodges we use Turaco Treetops, Kyaninga Lodge and Kibale Forest Camp
An aerial view of the Kibale forest canopy with a road under cloud

What you do there

What to do in Kibale

From first light to last, with today’s real sunrise and sunset at Kibale to mark the day.

  1. Sunrise at Kibale today

    06:40

  2. Track chimpanzees

    An early briefing, a forest trek and one hour with the chimpanzees. Permits are secured by Verdoro for your dates, and our guide coordinates the Uganda Wildlife Authority timing.

  3. Walk Bigodi swamp

    A guided walk in the papyrus at the forest edge for monkeys, birds and butterflies, usually on the first afternoon.

  4. Lunch in tea country

    The road from Entebbe passes through Fort Portal and its tea plantations, which is where our guides usually stop for lunch.

  5. Go longer with habituation

    Habituation gives up to four hours with a chimpanzee group. If that appeals, ask us.

  6. Sunset at Kibale today

    18:45

An older chimpanzee looking up, with grey chin hair, in Kibale A Verdoro safari vehicle beside the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary sign

Best time

When to go to Kibale

Forest trails are easier in the drier months, June to September and December to February. Chimpanzee treks run all year, and rain is possible in any month.

In pictures

Kibale as our guests see it

  • Two chimpanzees grooming each other on the forest floor in Kibale
  • Two chimpanzees sitting side by side, one eating fruit, in Kibale
  • A chimpanzee lying on its side with a baby on the forest floor in Kibale
  • A grey-faced older chimpanzee looking out from the leaves in Kibale
  • A chimpanzee lying relaxed on the leaf litter in Kibale

Request a trip

Trips that visit Kibale

Every trip is request-to-book: choose one, send your dates, and we confirm.

From the journal

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Photos: Uganda Wildlife Authority and Uganda Tourism Board.