This 3-Day jungle adventure covers the main highlights of Kibale Forest National Park, the “Primate capital of the World”. You will experience a face-to-face encounter with mankind’s closest relatives in their natural habitat, have a guided walk through the nearby Bigodi wetland Sanctuary and also explore the nearby villages and Crater Lakes.
The trip will start with a road trip from Kampala to the 795-square-kilometer Protected Area via the scenic Towns of Mityana, Mubende as well as Fort Portal while relishing jaw-dropping views of huge rock boulders, lush forests, banana plantations, sweeping tea estates, and roadside markets.
Located in western Uganda, Kibale is one of the 10 National Parks in Uganda and is popularly referred as the “primate Capital of the World” because of the13 primate species that include chimpanzees, grey-cheeked mangabey, Olive baboons that you will most likely meet at the forest edge, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys and blue monkeys among others. This Park generally has over 70 mammal species and over 375 bird species.
Highlights
- Relax with breathtaking views of the forest, Crater lakes, or tea plantations.
- Experience an up-close encounter with chimpanzees.
- Walk through Bigodi wetland to see wetland birds and primates
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Travel to the verdant Kibale Forest National Park (optional Village/Crater walk).
- Day 2: Tour Kibale Forest via a Chimp trek & Bigodi wetland via a guided walk.
- Day 3: Travel back to Kampala or Entebbe.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to the lush Kibale Forest National Park (optional village/Crater walk)
Today, after breakfast, you will depart for Kibale Forest National Park at the shadow of Mountains of the Moon. This beautiful National Park extends for 795 square kilometers and sits in the western side of the country. Your 5-6 hours will be filled with magnificent views of the forests, tea estates, Crater lakes, roadside markets and locals going about their activities. Lunch will be on arrival at the lodge. Thanks to the diverse array of breathtaking landscapes, you can have an optional Crater or Village walk after lunch and some hours of relaxation.
Accommodation options:
- Ndali Lodge for luxury option.
- Turaco Treetops for midrange option.
- Kibale Forest Camp for budget option
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner.
Travel time: 5-6 hours
Day 2: Tour Kibale Forest via a Chimpanzee trek and Bigodi wetland via a guided nature walk
This day, you will get the chance to experience one of our closest relatives in the animal Kingdom. Have breakfast at the Lodge and move or be transferred to Kanyanchu Visitor center, the starting point for Kibale Forest activities for registration and briefing.
The briefing takes about 30 minutes and afterwards, you will start the chimpanzee trek, lasting about 1-4 hours. While at it, you will see lots of primate species, colorful birds, outstanding tree species and butterflies along the way. The highlight of this informative and exciting walk getting up-close and personal with the chimpanzee community and spending the one hour observing and photographing them.
Have a picnic lunch and continue to Bigodi wetland Sanctuary for a guided walk. Along the way, see wetland-inhabiting birds like the great blue Turaco, papyrus gonolek and others, alongside a number of primate species. It will interested you to know that there are over 8 primate species and about 200 species of birds in this wetland.
Accommodation options:
- Ndali Lodge for luxury option.
- Turaco Treetops for midrange option.
- Kibale Forest Camp for budget option
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Highlights of the day: Chimp trek & wetland walk.
Day 3: Travel back to Kampala or Entebbe.
It is now time to bid a sad farewell to Kibale Forest National Pak. Enjoy the last moments of your adventure by taking in jaw-dropping views of the Crater Lakes, before heading back to Kampala. You will get checked into a Hotel (own arrangement) or be transferred to the Airport for the flight back home or continue with your African adventure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Drive time: 5-6 hours.
Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Adventure Inclusions:
- Chimpanzee trekking permit (at $200 per person).
- Road transfer by a comfortable safari vehicle.
- Bottled water and snacks.
- Services of a private safari driver.
- Bigodi walk.
- 2 nights’ Jungle accommodation.
- Entry fees.
- Relevant Government taxes and levies.
- Airport transfer as long as it is on the last day of the trip.
Exclusions:
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Domestic and International flights.
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
- Shopping.
- Laundry fees.
- Tips (to Lodge staff, Park Rangers, the safari driver and others).
- Porter fees.
- Telephone calls.