"Uganda’s premier chimpanzee-tracking destination, this 766km² tract of rainforest is claimed to host the greatest primate diversity in East Africa, with up to half-a-dozen types of monkey likely to be seen on an overnight visit. Guided walks through the bordering Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary provide a peerless introduction to the region’s forest birds, and the volcanically-formed hills outside the park are pockmarked with at least 30 beautiful crater lakes. ”
- Philip Briggs
Let's get started...
PLAN MY JOURNEYKibale National Park
The most popular activity in Kibale National Park is chimp-tracking, which runs every morning and afternoon, and typically lasts for about three hours. The chimps here are very habituated; they can usually be approached within 10 metres when they are on the ground feeding or grooming, but are more elusive when on the move or plucking fruit in the canopy.
Bordering the national park, the exemplary Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a community-based guided walking trail that offers a superb introduction to the rainforest fauna. Clear views from the swamp edge into the gallery allow for good sightings of up to five types of monkey: red colobus, black-and-white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed and L’Hoest’s monkey. The birding is utterly magnificent, and the guides really know their stuff.
The 30-odd crater lakes that stud the lush, hilly countryside around Kibale offer limitless opportunities for casual rambling. Among the prettiest is tiny Lake Nkuruba, which is also protected as community-run reserve. Red colobus, black-and-white colobus and red-tailed monkey inhabit the forest that lines the steep crater walls, along with more than 100 bird species.
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
DRYER PERIOD
A brief drier interlude before the more intense long rains arrive in March. The altitude does, however, mean that this ‘dry season’ is a little unpredictable.
Its location so close to the equator means that Kibale National Park has fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (928 to 1,568m or 3,045 to 5,144ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 27°C/81°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.
Kabale has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.
Chimpanzee trekking is possible throughout the year but is just a little more enjoyable during the drier times of the year. The ground also tends to be a little less slippy, making the trekking that bit easier too.
DRYER PERIOD
A brief drier interlude before the more intense long rains arrive in March. The altitude does, however, mean that this ‘dry season’ is a little unpredictable.
Its location so close to the equator means that Kibale National Park has fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (928 to 1,568m or 3,045 to 5,144ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 27°C/81°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.
Kabale has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.
Chimpanzee trekking is possible throughout the year but is just a little more enjoyable during the drier times of the year. The ground also tends to be a little less slippy, making the trekking that bit easier too.
WET SEASON
The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. The air is less hazy during the wetter months, improving visibility with that some potentially incredible views of the Rwenzori on the way to or from the park.
While this park always has good birding during this time of the year migratory species can be found in full breeding colours.
Its location so close to the equator means that Kibale National Park has fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (928 to 1,568m or 3,045 to 5,144ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 27°C/81°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.
Kabale has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.
Chimpanzee trekking is possible throughout the year but is just a little more enjoyable during the drier times of the year. The ground also tends to be a little less slippy, making the trekking that bit easier too.
WET SEASON
The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. The air is less hazy during the wetter months, improving visibility with that some potentially incredible views of the Rwenzori on the way to or from the park.
While this park always has good birding during this time of the year migratory species can be found in full breeding colours.
Its location so close to the equator means that Kibale National Park has fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (928 to 1,568m or 3,045 to 5,144ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 27°C/81°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.
Kabale has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.
Chimpanzee trekking is possible throughout the year but is just a little more enjoyable during the drier times of the year. The ground also tends to be a little less slippy, making the trekking that bit easier too.
WET SEASON
The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. The air is less hazy during the wetter months, improving visibility with that some potentially incredible views of the Rwenzori on the way to or from the park.
While this park always has good birding during this time of the year migratory species can be found in full breeding colours.
Its location so close to the equator means that Kibale National Park has fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (928 to 1,568m or 3,045 to 5,144ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 27°C/81°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.
Kabale has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.
Chimpanzee trekking is possible throughout the year but is just a little more enjoyable during the drier times of the year. The ground also tends to be a little less slippy, making the trekking that bit easier too.
DRYER PERIOD
A brief drier interlude before the more intense long rains arrive in August. The altitude does, however, mean that this ‘dry season’ is a little unpredictable.
Its location so close to the equator means that Kibale National Park has fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (928 to 1,568m or 3,045 to 5,144ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 27°C/81°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.
Kabale has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.
Chimpanzee trekking is possible throughout the year but is just a little more enjoyable during the drier times of the year. The ground also tends to be a little less slippy, making the trekking that bit easier too.
DRYER PERIOD
A brief drier interlude before the more intense long rains arrive in August. The altitude does, however, mean that this ‘dry season’ is a little unpredictable.
Its location so close to the equator means that Kibale National Park has fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (928 to 1,568m or 3,045 to 5,144ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 27°C/81°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.
Kabale has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.
Chimpanzee trekking is possible throughout the year but is just a little more enjoyable during the drier times of the year. The ground also tends to be a little less slippy, making the trekking that bit easier too.
WET SEASON
The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. The air is less hazy during the wetter months, improving visibility with that some potentially incredible views of the Rwenzori on the way to or from the park.
Its location so close to the equator means that Kibale National Park has fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (928 to 1,568m or 3,045 to 5,144ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 27°C/81°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.
Kabale has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.
Chimpanzee trekking is possible throughout the year but is just a little more enjoyable during the drier times of the year. The ground also tends to be a little less slippy, making the trekking that bit easier too.
WET SEASON
The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. The air is less hazy during the wetter months, improving visibility with that some potentially incredible views of the Rwenzori on the way to or from the park.
Its location so close to the equator means that Kibale National Park has fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (928 to 1,568m or 3,045 to 5,144ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 27°C/81°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.
Kabale has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.
Chimpanzee trekking is possible throughout the year but is just a little more enjoyable during the drier times of the year. The ground also tends to be a little less slippy, making the trekking that bit easier too.
WET SEASON
The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. The air is less hazy during the wetter months, improving visibility with that some potentially incredible views of the Rwenzori on the way to or from the park.
Its location so close to the equator means that Kibale National Park has fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (928 to 1,568m or 3,045 to 5,144ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 27°C/81°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.
Kabale has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.
Chimpanzee trekking is possible throughout the year but is just a little more enjoyable during the drier times of the year. The ground also tends to be a little less slippy, making the trekking that bit easier too.
WET SEASON
The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. The air is less hazy during the wetter months, improving visibility with that some potentially incredible views of the Rwenzori on the way to or from the park.
Its location so close to the equator means that Kibale National Park has fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (928 to 1,568m or 3,045 to 5,144ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 27°C/81°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.
Kabale has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.
Chimpanzee trekking is possible throughout the year but is just a little more enjoyable during the drier times of the year. The ground also tends to be a little less slippy, making the trekking that bit easier too.
DRYER PERIOD
A brief drier interlude before the more intense long rains arrive in March. The altitude does, however, mean that this ‘dry season’ is a little unpredictable.
Its location so close to the equator means that Kibale National Park has fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (928 to 1,568m or 3,045 to 5,144ft) moderate these to a pleasant average maximum of 27°C/81°F through the year. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so do pack a light fleece encase you need one.
Kabale has no distinct dry season, although June and July do tend to be the driest months of the year. There is also a slight lapse in rainfall in January and February.
Chimpanzee trekking is possible throughout the year but is just a little more enjoyable during the drier times of the year. The ground also tends to be a little less slippy, making the trekking that bit easier too.
Experiences
Explore Kibale National Park Properties
Kyaninga Lodge
Kyaninga Lodge
Kyaninga, in the local Rutoro language, means to ‘spoil or pamper’ and this lodge remains true to its name. A charming and luxury accommodation in a commanding setting, Kyaninga is ideal for travellers craving tranquillity, ..
Ndali Lodge
Ndali Lodge
Ndali is a homely lodge forming part of a tea estate once belonging to Major Trevor Price. Run by Price’s grandchildren, the lodge retains its family atmosphere and sits peacefully on a hill between crater lakes and lush forest. ..
Primate Lodge
Primate Lodge
Tucked into the forest of Kibale National Park, Primate Lodge is a simple yet cosy accommodation and a prime destination for adventure seekers. Its proximity to the national park makes the lodge ideal for travellers wishing to ..
What People Say
-
The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
-
We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
-
Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
-
Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
-
Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
-
Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
-
Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
-
We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
-
Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
