3 Days Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda in Kibale national park takes you to one of Africa’s primate hubs for wonderful encounters with chimps and other 12 primates. Kibale National park is located in the southern part of Uganda and covers an area of 795 square kilometers. The park consists of mainly tropical rain-forest with vast woodlands and Savannah. The rain-forest is an extension of those found in central Africa although time and human activity has reduced its size considerably. Kibale national park has a population of over 1,500 chimpanzees, 12 other primates, 60 mammals, 375 species of birds and 351 of trees. Some of the trees in the forest can grow up to 55 meters in height while others are over 200 years old. Before we go further, it is important to mention that Kibale forest is also home to forest elephants, leopards, lions (from Queen Elizabeth), warthogs, hippos and giant forest pigs. Kibale forest is the best place to track chimpanzees in the world. It’s unfortunate that Kibale doesn’t have mountain gorillas because if it was the case, it would probably be one of the most visited national parks in Africa.
The 3 days chimpanzee trekking tour in Kibale includes a primates walk in Kanyanchu, birding and a visit to the local community. Those who opt for the full day chimpanzee habituation experience, will have to forego afternoon activities on the second day. Chimpanzee permits in Kibale cost $150 for international travelers and $100 for foreigners who are residents in the country. East African nationals pay 100,000 for the permit. The chimpanzee habituation permits costs $220 for international travelers, $150 for foreign residents and $70 for East African nationals. These are only costs for the permits. A traveler has to also take into consideration accommodation, transport and flights. This tour package price is all inclusive – implying that the final price sent to you covers almost everything except for flights, VISAs and expenses of a personal nature.
Safari highlights
Day 1: Transfer to Kibale National park – Bigodi swamp walk
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking
Day 3: Drive back to Kampala/Entebbe
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Pickup and transfer to Kibale National Park – Nature walk at the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Depending on your location, your safari driver will pick you to start your 5-6 hour journey to Kibale National Park. You will continue to Fort Portal town via Mubende where your will have lunch. Fort Portal is one of the most beautiful towns in Uganda. If time allows, the Guide will take you to spot the ‘Amabere ga nyina mwiru’ caves, the King (Omukama’s) palace and the royal tombs in Karambi. During your journey, you will be impressed by the beautiful sites of cater lakes and the Rwanzori Mountains. Once you arrive at the park, you will be taken to your place of accommodation for a guided nature walk in Bigodi swamp. Bigodi wetlands sanctuary is one of the best places to see the birds in Uganda. It is also host to several primates and creatures like the swamp antelope (Sitatunga), Bush bucks, Mongooses, Bush pigs and Otters. The Bigodi swamp is home to the Papyrus Gonolek, Hornbills, Weaver birds, Waxbills, Kingfishers, Cuckoos, Flycatchers and the Great Blue Turaco. Dinner and overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge/Chimpundu Lodge/Isunga Lodge
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking experience
On the 2nd of your 3 Days Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda , wake up early and ensure that you take heavy breakfast in preparation for a long day of activities. The key activity will be chimpanzee tracking during the Kanyanchu primates walk. The walk will expose you to the thirteen primates found in Kibale National park and beautiful rain-forest, trees and butterflies. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale starts with a briefing at the park office. The Rangers will locate the group by following their hoots and calls. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale is more predictable compared to the ones in Nyungwe forest in Rwanda or Budongo forest in Murchison Falls National Park. They are easier to find because the chimpanzees are habituated. An advance team is sent to locate them before letting the lead ranger know using radio call. Chimpanzee trekking takes between two to four hours depending on the location of the particular group you are assigned.
During your one-hour encounter with the Chimps, you will notice that they are very mobile primates. They tend to move a lot and do not stay on the ground most of the time like mountain gorillas. You have to prepare to follow them for a while as they swing from tree to tree. Chimpanzees are also very noisy and vocal compared to mountain gorillas. Apart from the chimps, the primates walk in Kanyanchu will expose you to all of the primates in the park including pottos, Grey Vervet Monkeys, baboons, Colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, grey checked mangabey, blue monkeys and Red Tailed Monkeys. After being with one chimpanzee family for an hour, you will continue to see the other primates in the park before returning to your hotel for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will go to the boardwalk trail for birding. The Guide will share with your information about the forest, its history and the creatures that call it home. The afternoon boardwalk is only for those who would be doing chimpanzee trekking. If you are booked for the chimpanzee habituation experience, then you will have no time for birding. Dinner and overnight at Chimpundu Lodge/Chimpanzee Forest Lodge/Isunga Lodge
Day 3: Transfer back to Entebbe or Kampala
On the 3rd day of your 3 Days Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda ,Wake up at your leisure and take breakfast. Prepare to check-out to return to Kampala/Entebbe. It’s a 6-7 hours’ drive with en-route lunch. You will be dropped off at location you advise. End of Uganda Safari
