Kalinzu Forest Reserve is one of East Africa’s most rewarding and underrated destinations. It is also very accessible, since it is easily visited from most lodges or camps associated with nearby Queen Elizabeth National Park. In addition to being home to at least 300 chimpanzees, this pristine rainforest harbors plenty of monkeys and offers exceptional bird watching.
-
Best Time To Go
- January to February and June to July (Dry seasons)
-
High Season
- June to September (But it’s seldom busy)
-
Size
- 141km² / 54mi²
-
Altitude
-
1,030-1,814m /3,379-5,951ft
View Photos
View Photos
+2
Photos
Pros & Cons
- One of Uganda’s most affordable and reliable sites
- Good chance of spotting forest monkeys
- Excellent forest bird watching with some 378 species recorded
- The visitor center is set alongside a major road, making it very accessible
- An easy day trip from most accommodations at Queen Elizabeth NP
- Uganda’s first canopy walkway is planned for 2026
- No accommodations within the reserve other than a campsite
- The hilly terrain can be quite demanding
Wildlife
Kalinzu and the bordering Maramagambo Forest in Queen Elizabeth NP together form one of East Africa’s most important chimpanzee strongholds. Each of the two forests is home to more than 300 of these endangered apes and there is no barrier to movement between them. Other common primates in Kalinzu are olive baboon, red-tailed monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and black-and-white colobus. Notable birds include black-and-white-casqued hornbill, black-billed turaco, white-tailed ant thrush and red-tailed bristlebill.
Scenery
Kalinzu has a breathtaking location on the Kichwamba Escarpment above Queen Elizabeth NP. The forest is one of the most pristine and least fragmented in Uganda, and walking through the damp, cool, green interior is a true joy. The volcanic past of this scenic and fertile region is evidenced by more than a dozen crater lakes in the vicinity of Kalinzu.
Activities
The most popular activity is . Two chimpanzee communities in Kalinzu have been habituated: one for research purposes and another, comprising around 50 individuals, for tourism. Although the sighting success rate of around 90% is not quite as high as in Kibale National Park, lower tourist numbers make for a more intimate experience. Guided nature walks are also available and focus on monkeys, birds, butterflies and plants. Uganda’s first canopy walkway, to be built with World Bank funding, is scheduled to open in 2026.
Weather & Climate
The weather and climate of Kalinzu Forest Reserve are similar to that of neighboring Queen Elizabeth NP. More info:
Best Time To Visit
in Kalinzu operates with a high success rate throughout the year. However, the best time for trekking and wildlife viewing is during the Dry seasons (January to February and June to July).
Getting There
Kalinzu’s visitor center stands on the west side of the Mbarara–Kasese road some 350km/215mi from the capital city Kampala. The drive takes around 7 hours*. The reserve can easily be visited as a morning or afternoon excursion from Ishaka (a medium-sized town 22km/13mi to the south), or from most of the lodges and camps situated in and around Queen Elizabeth NP.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
Health & Safety
Please read our malaria and vaccinations page for Uganda, in addition to our general ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ and ‘Chimp Trekking Safety Precautions’ below for more info:
- Malaria & Vaccinations – Uganda
- Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions
- Chimp Trekking Safety Precautions