Kalinzu Forest is situated within Queen Elizabeth National Park, along the main road connecting Kasese to Mbarara, approximately 10 km from the Busenyi district in the western sector of Ishasha.

It is one of the prime locations for chimpanzee tracking, rivalling the renowned Kibale National Park, indisputably the country’s best destination and home to the largest number of chimpanzee communities.

The Kalinzu reserve harbours over 400 tree species and approximately 378 bird species, including the black-billed turaco. Moreover, it boasts six primate species, various reptiles, and over 200 butterfly species.

The main activity in Kalinzu is chimpanzee tracking, with the reserve hosting a population of over 300 individuals, including around 40 that are part of a Japanese research project focused on habituating chimpanzees to human presence.

In addition to chimpanzees, visitors can encounter baboons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, l’Hoest’s monkeys, and red colobus monkeys within the reserve. Nighttime primate tracking is also possible, where galagos, bush babies, and pottos can be observed in the Kalinzu forest.

In summary, visiting Kalinzu offers an excellent alternative for chimpanzee and primate observation. Its strategic location, just 10 km from Ishasha along the main road, makes it easily accessible without significant detours.