2 Days chimpanzee safari kibale national forest national park
TOUR OVERVIEW
The 2 days Chimpanzee tracking safari takes you to the “primate capital” Kibale Forest National park. This park is a home to over 1500 individual Chimpanzees and thus making Kibale forest the place with the highest concentration of Chimps in Africa.
Kibale forest national park, a Primate heaven is found in western Uganda. The park is a home to 13 primate species and these include; Chimpanzees, Coppery-tailed money, Blue monkey, Vervet monkey, Black and White colobus monkey, Red tailed monkey, Red colobus monkey, Olive Baboon, Thick-tailed bushbaby, Lesser Galago, L’Hoest Monkey, etc.
Kibale National Park is also has a variety of birds. The park has over 370 bird species providing an adventure for bird watching enthusiasts. The park is also blessed with variety of flora, with trees of over 200 years and above, forest Elephants which can be seen on a lucky day and various species of butterflies.
Besides Kibale Forest National park, Chimpanzee tracking safari can also be done in Budongo forest, kyambura forest gorge, kalinzu forest and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
One can have Chimpanzee habituation Experience which takes place the whole day but at an extra cost.
Safari Itinerary
DAY 1: Transfer to kibale national park / Bigodi swamp walk
Leave Kampala or Entebbe after breakfast for the fascinating drive through the country side. You will drive past road side markets, schools country homes, panoramic view of tea, banana, corn gardens and so many activities.
There are different eco systems along the way, papyrus swamps, patched forested areas, and grasslands. You will go through several towns, Mityana, Mubende, Kyenjojo, stopover for hot lunch at Fort Motel in Fort Portal.
Check-in to your preferred accommodation. Freshen up before embarking on an afternoon guided walk in Bigodi swamps. Here you will interact with the locals and get to know their livelihood you will get to see their homes, the gardens and livestock. During the swamp walk you may encounter other wildlife, like Vervet monkey, L’Hoest monkey, Black and white Colobus, Red tailed monkey and Mangabey etc. Other animals such as the Antelopes, Bush pigs, Baboons, bushbuck etc. There are over 375 bird species including the hornbill, hamerkop, yellow billed egret, water thick knee.
A stunning location overlooking a dramatic Crater Lake and the stunning hills covered with tea plantations is worth looking out for. You will return to the lodge after the adventure, freshen up, have dinner and wait for the exciting chimpanzee tracking in the morning.
DAY 2: Chimpanzee tracking transfer to Kampala / Entebbe
Start your day with an early breakfast, your driver guide will transfer you to Kanyanchu Visitor center at the Park office. Here you will have a briefing on the dos and don’ts before setting off for the long awaited chimpanzee tracking.
You will be allocated a group and given a ranger to guide you throughout the chimp tracking experience.
Tracking the chimps is an exciting experience on average it takes about 3 hours to find the chimps. Locating the chimps depends on the weather and season, during dry spells the chimps move longer distance in search of food and water while in the wet seasons food is readily available so the chimps can easily be traced. The chimps also become illusive during times of patrolling territories, they move tens of kilometers thus making it difficult to be found.
During the chimp tracking you may come across other primates such as; Blue monkey, vervet monkey, red tailed monkey, mangabey, bush pigs, elephants, baboons, different bird species and butterflies.
When you finally get to see the chimps you are allowed one hour with the primates. During this encounter, you get to see the chimps grooming, fighting, feeding, the young ones playing, adults swinging from tree to tree. The ranger guide will brief you about the life history of the chimps and their interaction with the other inhabitants of the forest. You may take photos but, you are advised to keep your distance and flash photography is not allowed.
After this wonderful experience you will transfer to the lodge and head back to Kampala/Entebbe.
END OF SAFARI
Accommodation (full board)
Luxury: Primate Lodge, Papaya lake side lodge,
Mid-range: chimpanzee corteges, Isunga lodge, mountains of the moon
Budget: kibale forest camp, chimpanzee guest house, Rwenzori view guest house
Safari inclusions
- Private Safari 4*4 Vehicle and Driver
- Fuel
- Bottled Water on board
- Park entrance fees
- Full board Accommodation
- Equator Visit
- Lunch
- Chimpanzee permit
- And all activities mentioned in the itinerary
Safari exclusions
- Kampala accommodation
- Laundry services,
- Beverages &drinks,
- Tips
- international flights,
- Visas,
- Any other personal expenses
