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Things to Do Near Kibale: Activities to Add to a Chimp Safari Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Bigodi is a papyrus swamp on the edge of Kibale, about 6 km from the Kanyanchu trekking centre. Chimp trekking in Kibale usually takes a morning, which leaves the afternoon and often a spare day free. The best things to add are the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary swamp walk, the Kibale night walk, the crater lakes and tea estates around Fort Portal, the Amabere caves, and a game drive or boat trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This guide explains each one, how long it takes and how it fits around a chimp trek.
Things to Do Near Kibale: Activities to Add to a Chimp Safari
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Bigodi is a papyrus swamp on the edge of Kibale, about 6 km from the Kanyanchu trekking centre. It is run by a local community group, KAFRED, and fees go to village projects such as schools. The guided walk follows boardwalks and trails for about 4 to 5 km and takes two to three hours. It is the best place near Kibale for the great blue turaco, and you have a good chance of red colobus, black-and-white colobus, L’Hoest’s and red-tailed monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys.
Most people do Bigodi in the afternoon after a morning chimp trek, since the walk is flat and easy. Keen birders often go early in the morning instead, when the swamp is most active, and trek chimps in the afternoon session.
Kibale night walk
Uganda Wildlife Authority runs guided night walks from Kanyanchu, starting around dusk and lasting about two hours. With torches you look for bushbabies, pottos, tree hyraxes calling from the canopy, nightjars, owls and sometimes civets or tree pangolins. Sightings vary a lot, but the forest sounds alone are worth it. Book through your lodge or at the park office, and wear closed shoes and long trousers.
Crater lakes and Top of the World
The Ndali-Kasenda crater field lies between Kibale and Fort Portal, with dozens of lakes in old volcanic craters. Lake Nyabikere sits close to the park headquarters, Lake Nkuruba has a small forest with colobus monkeys, and the Top of the World viewpoint near Lake Nyinambuga looks over several craters at once with the Rwenzoris on clear days. A half-day walk or drive between the lakes makes a relaxed afternoon, and several lodges sit right on the crater rims.
Some lakes are used for swimming, but bilharzia cannot be ruled out everywhere, so ask locally first. Our guide to Uganda’s crater lakes covers their geology and which ones to visit.
Fort Portal, tea estates and the Amabere caves
Fort Portal, about 45 minutes from Kanyanchu, is the capital of the Tooro Kingdom and a good base for half-day trips. Tea estates cover the hills around the town, and some offer tours of the fields and factory. Our Uganda tea guide explains how the plantations work. In town you can visit the Karuziika palace of the Tooro king and the markets.
The Amabere caves, about 8 km from Fort Portal, have limestone formations shaped like breasts, linked in Tooro legend to Princess Nyina Mwiru, plus a waterfall and crater lake views. A visit takes one to two hours.
Semuliki and the Rwenzoris
With a full spare day, drive west from Fort Portal to Semuliki National Park for the Sempaya hot springs and Central African forest birds, or hike the Rwenzori foothills for views and village walks. Both take a full day from Kibale and suit travellers who want something different from savannah parks.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth is about two and a half to three hours south of Kibale, so it is the natural next stop rather than a side trip. The Kazinga Channel boat trip shows hippos, buffaloes, elephants and waterbirds, and game drives on the Kasenyi plains find lions and Uganda kob. Read our guide to Queen Elizabeth and the Kazinga Channel.
Adding gorillas to a chimp safari
From Queen Elizabeth, most itineraries continue through the Ishasha sector to Bwindi for gorilla trekking. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November, and the Kibale chimp permit is US$250, rising to US$300 from 1 January 2027. See our Kibale Forest guide and our gorilla permit booking guide.
How to plan your days
With one night at Kibale, trek chimps in the morning and walk Bigodi in the afternoon. With two nights, add the night walk and an afternoon at the crater lakes or Fort Portal. With three or more, include Semuliki or a Rwenzori hike before moving on to Queen Elizabeth. Book chimp permits early in the dry seasons, as the morning slots fill first.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. It is an easy two to three hour walk with primates and the great blue turaco, and the fees support the local community.
Bushbabies, pottos, tree hyraxes, owls and nightjars, and sometimes civets or tree pangolins.
About two and a half to three hours by road, making it the usual next stop.
Yes. The nearest lakes are a short drive from Kanyanchu and make a good afternoon trip.
US$250, rising to US$300 from 1 January 2027.
