Our 2-day chimp trekking adventure takes you to Kibale Forest National Park to track wild chimpanzees on foot. And you’ll spend one hour with chimps after finding them, giving you a unique chance to observe and learn about the lifestyle of our closest genetic ancestors.
Kibale Forest National Park is renowned for having the highest concentrations of primates in Africa. The park contains over 1500 chimpanzees, with a habituated community of chimps that are located 100% of the time during treks.
On this 2-day Chimp trekking tour, you will also have a nature walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run initiative that aims to conserve the unique biodiversity and environmental values of the wetlands. Here, you’ll see many monkeys, birds and plant species and also tour Bigodi Village to learn about African rural life in Uganda.
Tour Highlights
- Chimpanzee trekking In Kibale Forest
- Guided Bigodi Wetlands Walk
- Bigodi Community Tour
- Amazing birding-watching and monkey viewing
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Drive Kibale Forest, Bigodi Wetland Walk
On day one of your 2-Day Chimp Trekking Adventure, our tour driver guide shall pick you up from your place of stay in Kampala or Entebbe at 7 am. After a short tour briefing, you will be taken on a scenic drive of about 5 hours west towards Kibale Forest National Park.
You will make a stopover in the town of Fort Portal for lunch. Fort Portal is one of the most beautiful areas of Uganda. The town sits in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon and is known for its many tea plantations.
From this lovely town, you will continue to Kibale and check into your lodge. After a short relaxation, you’ll go out for a community-based guided tour of the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
During this nature walk, you will learn more about this award-winning local community initiative that is operated by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development. The initiative is aimed at conserving the unique biodiversity and environmental values of the wetlands while advancing health, education, and economic growth in the wider local community.
On your swamp nature walk, you will likely see several kinds of monkeys such as Black and White Colobus, Red Colobus, Red Tailed, Olive Baboon, and Vervet monkeys.
Bigodi is also a wonderful bird-watching spot with over 200 bird species, including Great Blue Turacos, Papyrus Gonolek, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Joyful Greenbul, Shining-blue Kingfisher, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Red-headed Bluebill, Snowy-crowned Robin-chat, Superb Sunbird, Black-crowned Waxbill and Bocage’s Bushshrike.
After the swamp walk, you will continue and visit the communities near the wetlands for a chance to learn about their traditions and cultures.
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge/Ndali Lodge/Primate Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge
Midrange: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge Cottage/Kibale Forest Camp Self-contained tents
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge main house/Kibale Forest Camp non-self-contained tents.
Day 2: Chimp Trekking & Travel Back To Kampala
On the final day of our 2-Day Chimpanzee Trekking Adventure in Kibale Forest National Park, you will have an early breakfast and be transferred to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre in Kibale to do our Chimpanzee trekking tour which begins promptly at 8.00 am.
The activity commences with a briefing from the excellent local park rangers who will be our guides for the activity. After the briefing, you head to the forest on a trek of about 2 to 5 hours in search of the man’s closest relative.
Kibale Forest National Park has one of the highest concentrations of primates in East Africa, with a habituated community of chimpanzees that are located 100% of the time during treks.
Spend an hour with these majestic primates, learning about their behaviour and lifestyle – an unforgettable experience that you will treasure forever.
There are of course several other primate species present in Kibale’s lush flora. The most visible are red-tailed monkeys, red colobus, black-and-white colobus and the endemic Uganda mangabey.
If you are lucky, you might see even other mammal species like Bushbuck, Duikers, Warthog, Sitatunga, Forest Hog or Bushpig. And if you are extremely lucky, you could encounter African Buffalo, some of the forest-adapted African elephants, mongooses, and Otters. A sharp observer will also see many species of amphibians and reptiles and a colourful variety of butterflies.
Kibale is also a great Uganda bird-watching destination, with a checklist of 370 bird species including the glamorous likes of great blue turaco, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Green-breasted Pitta, African Pitta, Black Bee-eater, Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Crowned Eagle, and African Grey Parrot.
After your amazing Kibale Forest adventure, you will return to the lodge/camp for a delicious lunch and catch your breath after all the excitement.
You will then check out, and transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe.
End Of Tour
Inclusions:
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Private safari vehicle
- Tour driver
- Accommodation and all meals
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- All activities included in the itinerary
Exclusions:
- Personal Insurance
- International flights
- All meals and drinks not specified
- Laundry
- Your Uganda Visa fee
- Tips to guides
- Optional Activities
What To Carry
- Hiking boots,
- Long pants
- Long sleeved shirt
- Rain jacket
- Hat/cap
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
