🌍 Uganda 🇺🇬
Kalinzu Forest Reserve is a mid-altitude tropical forest of about 137 square kilometers in Bushenyi District, southwestern Uganda, on the eastern edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It's one of Uganda's quieter chimpanzee trekking destinations, with a small habituated community of around 30 to 40 individuals and far fewer visitors than Kibale or Budongo. The forest also holds other primates — blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, black and white colobus, and olive baboons — and more than 300 bird species in the forest interior. Its proximity to Queen Elizabeth makes it a natural addition to a western Uganda safari for travelers who want chimpanzees without the crowds.
Chimpanzee trekking with a small habituated community in a relatively uncrowded forest setting
Multi-primate walks seeking several species in the same morning
Birdwatching in the forest interior with more than 300 recorded species
Nature walks through varied forest habitats with a local guide
Kalinzu is significantly quieter than Kibale and easier to combine with Queen Elizabeth NP for travelers who don't want to drive all the way north to Fort Portal. Permits cost less than Kibale's and are generally available without long advance booking outside peak season.
🦍 With GorillaWise Collection & Safaris
We include Kalinzu as a chimp trekking option for travelers combining Queen Elizabeth NP with Bwindi who want to avoid the longer Kibale detour, adding a morning of primates to the western Uganda circuit.
🗓️ Best Time to Visit
Year round, with June to September and December to February offering drier conditions on the trails.
Uganda 🇺🇬