Kalinzu Forest Reserve

Excellent-Value Forest Experience

This less-visited primate forest is approximately half an hour’s drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park. The 141km² Kalinzu Forest Reserve can be a more reliable option than Kyambura Gorge (where the small chimp population may be a long hike from the entrance). What’s more, chimp tracking and chimpanzee habituation are cheaper here than in Kyambura or Kibale Forest.

I see chimps regularly from my home in Kibale Forest so what interested me about Kalinzu was the overall forest experience. Our guide Deborah listened for birds, pointed to trees and stinky fungus. She interpreted everything we heard and saw (although getting the right guide can be hit-and-miss). Our young female porter really looked after us too. Five of us (plus rangers) spent an hour with the chimpanzees. We had good sightings of three individuals.

Next time I’ll just go to watch birds: 378 species have been identified in Kalinzu (but tracking in a group means there’s too much disturbance for serious birding).
Although the visitor centre is next to a main road, after a few minutes’ walk, we barely heard passing traffic. Kalinzu is managed by National Forest Authority who have acquired funding to develop the tourism facilities so you can expect this to become a more consistent good experience.