Game Reserve
Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Uganda 137 km² (53 mi²) Est. 1948
About Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Kalinzu Forest Reserve is a 137-square-kilometre tropical rainforest near Queen Elizabeth National Park that offers an affordable and less crowded alternative for chimpanzee tracking. The forest shelters approximately 300 chimpanzees, several groups of which have been habituated for tourism.
Kalinzu is notable for its high chimp tracking success rates and significantly lower permit costs than Kibale. The forest also supports populations of L'Hoest's monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus, and over 380 bird species. Its location on the road between Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi makes it a convenient addition to a western Uganda itinerary.
0
Safari Tours
4.0
Avg Rating
78
Years Protected
Highlights
- Affordable chimpanzee tracking — much cheaper than Kibale
- High chimp tracking success rates
- Convenient location between Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi
- Good birding with 380+ species
Considerations
- Less well-known and less established than Kibale
- Forest trails can be muddy and slippery
- Limited accommodation near the forest
- Smaller and less diverse than Kibale
Wildlife
Big Five Status
🦁
Lion
Not present
🐆
Leopard
Not present
🐘
Elephant
Not present
🦬
Buffalo
Not present
🦏
Rhino
Not present
Notable Species
Chimpanzee
Common
Baboon
Common
Vervet Monkey
Common
Bush Baby
Occasional
Common Occasional Rare
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak Season Good Time Less Ideal
Climate Overview
Getting There
Kalinzu is located on the road between Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi, about 5 hours from Kampala. The forest headquarters is well signposted from the main Ishaka-Kasese road.
Nearest Airport
Kasese Airstrip
Nearest City
Bushenyi
Drive Time
5 hours