Kalinzu Forest Reserve

Kalinzu Forest Reserve, next to Queen Elizabeth National Park, covers aroud 141 km² (54 mi²) of beautiful tropical rainforest.

The forest stretches from the Great Rift Valley floor up to the Kichwamba Escarpment. Over 300 chimpanzees live here in the wild, and two communities have been habituated—one for researchers and one for tourists.

Kalinzu Forest Reserve is not as famous as other places for seeing chimpanzees, but it is becoming a favorite for budget safari tours in Uganda because it is affordable, easy to reach, and chances of spotting chimps are high.

Watching these great apes, who share almost 99% of our DNA, is a magical and unforgettable experience. The forest is also home to many monkeys and offers excellent birdwatching, making it a perfect spot for wildlife safaris in Uganda.

Reasons To Visit Kalinzu Forest

1. Affordable and Reliable Chimpanzee Trekking

Kalinzu Forest Reserve is one of the best places in Uganda to see wild chimpanzees, with over a 90% chance of spotting them. While this is slightly lower than Kibale Forest National Park, it is just as good—or even better—than other sites such as Bugoma Forest, Kyambura Gorge, Budongo Forest, and Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve.

One of the main attractions of Kalinzu Forest is that chimp trekking here is much more affordable than elsewhere. You could even trek twice here for the price of a single permit at Kibale National Park.

The forest is also less crowded, allowing for a more peaceful experience, and it is easy to reach for independent travelers, whether you are driving yourself or using public transport.

Kalinzu is also part of a community-based ecotourism project managed with the National Forestry Authority, meaning your visit directly supports local communities and conservation efforts. The only small challenge is that finding the chimps involves a fairly long hike, but for anyone moderately fit, this becomes part of the adventure rather than a problem.

2. Good chance of spotting forest monkeys

Kalinzu Forest is full of monkeys, and you can see many of them while walking. Olive baboons move in big, noisy groups on the forest floor. Red-tailed monkeys are fast and playful, jumping from tree to tree.

L’Hoest’s monkeys are shy and often stay in the shade, with a small white “beard” on their face. Blue monkeys are calm and curious, watching from high in the trees. The black-and-white colobus monkeys are the most beautiful, with long tails and black-and-white fur, leaping gracefully through the forest.

3. Excellent forest bird watching

Kalinzu Forest Reserve also offers excellent bird watching of over 370 species. Notable birds you may see include the black-and-white-casqued hornbill, the colorful black-billed turaco, the shy white-tailed ant thrush, and the red-tailed bristlebill. Brightly colored birds and playful flocks make every walk through the forest full of surprises.

4. An easy day trip from Queen Elizabeth NP

Kalinzu Forest Reserve is just a short drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most famous and beautiful wildlife destinations. Queen Elizabeth is known for its incredible savannah, crater lakes, and large populations of elephants, lions, hippos, and many other animals.

Visiting Kalinzu as a day trip from there gives you a wonderful contrast: after seeing the open plains and big game, you can step into the lush rainforest to meet chimpanzees, playful monkeys, and colorful birds.

The forest’s visitor center and trekking trail start right next to a main road, so it’s easy to reach by car or public transport. If you’re also visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking, Kalinzu is the closest chimp trekking site along the way. In just one day, you can enjoy a full wildlife adventure, exploring the forest’s magic without any hassle.

5. Uganda’s first canopy walkway is planned for 2026

Kalinzu Forest is set to get even more exciting with Uganda’s first canopy walkway, planned to open in 2026. This elevated walkway will let visitors stroll high above the forest floor, offering a bird’s-eye view of the lush rainforest, playful monkeys, and colorful birds. It will be a thrilling way to explore Kalinzu and experience the forest from a completely new perspective.

Wildlife in Kalinzu Forest

Kalinzu Forest Reserve, together with the nearby Maramagambo Forest in Queen Elizabeth National Park, forms one of East Africa’s most important homes for chimpanzees. Each forest is home to over 300 of these endangered apes, and they move freely between the two forests.

Kalinzu is also full of other fascinating primates. Olive baboons roam in large, noisy groups on the forest floor. Red-tailed monkeys are quick and playful, jumping between the trees. Shy L’Hoest’s monkeys often stay in the shade, with a small white “beard” on their face.

Blue monkeys are calm and curious, quietly observing from high above, while the black-and-white colobus monkeys are striking, with long flowing tails and bold black-and-white fur. Bird lovers will also be amazed. Notable species include the black-and-white-casqued hornbill, the colorful black-billed turaco, the shy white-tailed ant thrush, and the red-tailed bristlebill.

Kalinzu Forest Reserve Scenery

Kalinzu Forest Reserve sits in a stunning spot on the Kichwamba Escarpment, overlooking Queen Elizabeth National Park. The forest is one of Uganda’s most pristine and walking through its cool, damp, green interior feels like stepping into another world. The area’s volcanic past is visible in the many crater lakes nearby, adding to the beauty and uniqueness of the landscape. Every turn of the trail offers peaceful scenery, making a walk in Kalinzu a true delight for nature lovers.

Activities In Kalinzu Forest

The most popular activity in Kalinzu Forest Reserve is chimp trekking. Two chimpanzee communities have been habituated here: one for research and another, with around 50 chimps, for tourists. While the chances of seeing chimps (about 90%) are slightly lower than in Kibale National Park, smaller crowds make for a more personal and memorable experience.

Guided nature walks are also available, offering a closer look at the forest’s monkeys, birds, butterflies, and plants. Looking ahead, Uganda’s first canopy walkway, funded by the World Bank, is planned to open in 2026. This elevated trail will give visitors a thrilling view of the rainforest from above, adding an exciting new way to explore Kalinzu.

Best Time To Visit Kalinzu Forest

Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Reserve can be successful any time of the year, but the best months for trekking and wildlife viewing are during the dry seasons, from January to February and June to July. During these months, the trails are easier to walk, the forest is less muddy, and spotting chimpanzees, monkeys, and birds is even more enjoyable.

How To Get to Kalinzu Forest Reserve

Kalinzu Forest Reserve is located on the west side of the Mbarara–Kasese road, about 350 km (215 miles) from Uganda’s capital, Kampala—a drive of roughly 7 hours. The forest is easy to visit as a morning or afternoon trip from Ishaka, a medium-sized town just 22 km (13 miles) to the south. It is also conveniently accessible from most lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park, making it a perfect addition to your safari itinerary.