Kalinzu Forest Reserve

Kalinzu is a forest reserve of around one hundred and forty square kilometres on the escarpment above Queen Elizabeth National Park, managed by the forestry authority rather than the wildlife authority, which is why chimpanzee tracking here costs considerably less than in the national parks. A community of several hundred chimpanzees lives in the forest with a habituated group followed by trackers, along with six other primate species and a long bird list.

What you actually see

• The chimpanzee tracking - habituated groups followed at lower cost than in the parks.
• The other primates - black and white colobus, blue monkey and five more species.
• The forest trails - a network of walking routes of different lengths.
• The escarpment position - forest above the Rift floor with views over the plain.

When to go

June to September and December to February are drier. Tracking runs morning and afternoon. Fruiting seasons affect where the chimps range.

Honest expectations

Habituation is less complete than at Kibale and sightings are less reliable. Facilities are basic compared with the national parks. Trails are steep and muddy.

Nearby

Queen Elizabeth National Park is west, and Bushenyi is east.