Kalinzu is a forest reserve on the eastern edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, on the road between Mbarara and the park. It is managed by the National Forestry Authority and holds a habituated chimpanzee community that has been studied by researchers for many years.
It is a practical choice for travellers staying in Queen Elizabeth who want chimps without the drive to Kibale. The forest is quiet, the trails are shaded, and group sizes are small.
Alongside chimpanzees you may see L’Hoest’s monkeys, black-and-white colobus, blue and red-tailed monkeys and olive baboons. The forest is good for birds too, with turacos, hornbills and a range of forest greenbuls and sunbirds.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
Medium-altitude tropical forest on rolling ground, surrounded by tea estates and farmland, with the Kichwamba escarpment and Queen Elizabeth’s plains not far away.
Activities here
Days are warm, typically around 20 to 27°C. The rains fall mainly from March to May and September to November, and forest trails can be slippery then.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26 | 14 | 70 |
| Feb | 26 | 14 | 90 |
| Mar | 26 | 15 | 140 |
| Apr | 25 | 15 | 180 |
| May | 25 | 15 | 130 |
| Jun | 25 | 14 | 50 |
| Jul | 25 | 14 | 40 |
| Aug | 26 | 14 | 80 |
| Sep | 26 | 14 | 130 |
| Oct | 25 | 14 | 160 |
| Nov | 25 | 14 | 150 |
| Dec | 25 | 14 | 100 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
June to August and December to February are the driest months, with firmer trails and cool, fresh mornings for chimp tracking.
The rains fall mainly from March to May and September to November. Trails are slippery and showers can be heavy, but chimp walks still run most days.
Kalinzu can be visited all year. The drier months make walking easier, and early mornings give the best chance of finding the chimps active.
Best time to visit Jan to Feb, Jun to Sep
Kalinzu is about an hour from Mweya and the northern part of Queen Elizabeth, and about 6 hours from Kampala by road. It is also convenient on the drive between Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi or Lake Mburo.
Chimp tracking permits are issued by the National Forestry Authority rather than the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We book them in advance with the rest of your itinerary.
Chimpanzee tracking is on forest trails that can be muddy. A yellow fever certificate is needed to enter Uganda, so please carry it with your passport. Visitors with a cold or other infection cannot track, as chimpanzees are vulnerable to human illness. Malaria is present, so antimalarials are advised.
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“Chimps on the way”
We use Kalinzu when a guest's route runs through Queen Elizabeth and a detour to Kibale would cost a day. An early start means you can track chimps in the morning and still be in the park for an afternoon game drive. It has a local, unhurried feel that many of our guests enjoy.
Safaris from
US$1,777 per person
Plan your time in Kalinzu
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