Kibale Forest National Park
The Kibale Forest is the best place in Uganda to see chimpanzee in the wild.
Covering some 75000 hectares and located about 40 kms south-east of Fort Portal, Kibale is accessible either by air from Entebbe or more likely by road in combination with Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park and possibly Murchison Falls National Park.
The National Park boasts thirteen different primate species including chimps, red colobus, the L’Hoest’s monkey and black and white colobus. The chimpanzee trekking is the most rewarding in Uganda and there is an excellent chance of seeing these exceptional apes – trekking permits should be purchased in advance to avoid disappointment. Trekking is relatively easy as the terrain is reasonably flat.
Birding is also good in the forest, and also just outside along the edge of the Bigodi wetlands. Keen birders may be lucky enough to see the black bee-eater, the shy white spotted crake or an African green pitta. The Great blue turaco and blue-breasted kingfisher are also amongst 335 species recorded.