East of the Rwenzori mountain, the landscape is dotted with volcanic crater lakes and carpeted with tea plantations and tropical forest. The largest tract of forest is protected within the 795km²Kibale National Park. Established as a forest reserve in the 1940s, Kibale was upgraded to national park status in recognition of a biodiversity that includes 350 tree species, 71 species of mammal and 370 bird species. The park is best known for its primates which include Uganda’s largest population of chimpanzees – an estimated 1450 – the localized red colobus, and L’Hoest’s monkey. Other large mammals, such as elephant, buffalo and giant forest hog are present but are rarely seen.

There are two tourist sites in Kibale NP. The main hub is at Kanyanchu, 35km southeast of Fort Portal on a newly tarmacked road leading to Kamwenge and Ibanda. A secondary site is found at Sebitoli, 16km east of Fort Portal on the Kampala road.