Kibale Forest National Park is one of Africa’s best rainforests and is located in Western Uganda. It is a home to over 13 species of Primates including Man’s closest cousin the chimpanzees. Other species are Black and White Colobus Monkeys, L’hoestes, Red-tailed monkey and grey cheeked Mangabey and so ob. the park is also well known as bird watchers’ paradise as it’s a habitat to over 325 bird species including the rare Green Breasted Pitta.
The trip to Kibale Forest National Parks starts from Entebbe / Kampala and will take you approximates 6 hours including a stopover in Fort Portal for a lunch break.
Chimp tracking is an easier trek not so strenuous like Gorilla Tracking, the trek lasts average of 3 hours, the minimum age is 12 years, visitors are put in the groups of 06 people, Tracking starts at 0800am and 0200pm for morning and afternoon sessions respectively. Chimp tracking in this National Park started as far as 1993 and it remains one of the best places to track Chimps amongst other primates. Chimp permits get sold its therefore important the permit is booked way in advance.
Chimp habituation is another activity that can do done at the park, this offers trackers an opportunity to join researchers and habituators in the process of taming the wild chimps to make them get used to human interactions so they can be tracked on the normal chimp trek. The habituation experience is quite challenging. This is a full day activity as you follow the chimps on their whole day activities from leaving their nests at 06 to 06.30am to feeding, playing, patrolling till around 1900 when they make new nests for their overnight stay.
After the Chimp trek, this trip offers you another opportunity to enjoy the wildlife through a 4.5Km nature walk at Bigodi wetland run by KAFRED a community-based organization, several bird species over 200 have been identified on this trail including Turacos, Kingfishers among other birds. Over 8 primates have been identified including the L’hoest Monkey, red colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, Vavert Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Olive Baboon, black & white colobus monkeys and the Grey Cheeked Mangabey.
For a more details and ideas on what else to do and to stay, please get in touch with us
Safari Highlights
- Chimpanzee trekking or Chimpanzee Habituation
- Bigodi swamp walk
- Crater lakes tour
- Top of the world visit
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park (Approx. 7hrs drive)
Morning breakfast at Hotel and transfer to Kibale National Park. The Journey will take you through the Western Rift Valley’s Albertine Escarpment as well as the green country side and traditional homesteads of the local people with in the Bunyoro and Toro Kingdoms. Upon arriving in Fort portal, clear days will give you a glimpse of the legendary snowcapped Mountain also famously known as the “Mountains of the Moon” (Mt Rwenzori). Kibale Forest National Park is a home to 13 primate species including the common Mans’ closest Cousins (Chimpanzees). The Forest is also a home to over 325 bird species including the rare Green Breasted Pitta. Arrive at your Lodge in the afternoon. Visit the Kasenda craters. Take a short hike to the ‘Top of the World’ view point where you are able to see a lot of the small crater lakes with in this region. Proceed and also visit the spectacular Lake Nyinambuga from which the lake shown on the 20.000 Uganda shilling note was depicted. Overnight at your Lodge. Full Board
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Swamp walk
Morning breakfast at your lodge and set out for a half day Chimpanzee tracking experience. You will be transferred to the park headquarters ay Kanyanchu for a 30-40mins briefing and get to know more about the chimpanzees and their ways of living with in the forest. After this, you will then embark on your journey to search for these primates through the forest. On spotting the chimps, you are only given one Hour to be with them as you take videos and pictures. Along the way other primate species can be spotted such as the LHoest’s Monkeys, Red tailed Monkeys, Blue Vervet Monkeys, and Black & White colobus Monkeys among others. Other animals that can be seen are Forest Elephants, Buffalos and a lot of bird species. After the tracking, return to your Lodge for Lunch and afternoon set out for a nature and bird walk with in the Bigodi Swamp. The wetland is a project being run by local communities and is much known for its rich diversity of bird species and other primates. It also provides employment and job opportunities to the local youth through tour guiding. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay. Full Board
Accommodation Options:
- Kibale Guest Cottages (BUDGET)
- Turaco Tree Tops (MIDRANGE)
- Crater Safari Lodge/Chimpundu Safari Lodge/Primates Lodge (UPMARKET)
Day 3: Transfer back to Entebbe/Kampala
After a relaxed morning breakfast, with your chimpanzee trekking experience memories, you will head back to Kampala or Entebbe with lunch stop over en route. Your 3 days chimpanzee safari has come to an end. Drop off at your agreed location or at the Airport in time for your flight back home.
END OF 3 DAYS CHIMPANZEE SAFARI EXPERIENCE
What is Included
- Accommodation and full board basis
- One Gorilla Permit per person
- Park Entrance Fees
- Internal local flights
- Sightseeing with private guide as per the itinerary
- Transfers as detailed
What is excluded
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Visa