Day 1 Transfer from Kampala to Kibale Forest National Park for an Afternoon Chimpanzee Tracking Experience

Travel Time from Kampala to Kibale is 5- 6 hours

Accommodation: Budget: Isunga Lodge, Mid-range: Kibale Forest Camp, Luxury: Primate Lodge Kibale & Kyaniga Lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

Depart Kampala after your early morning snack breakfast driving west to Kibale, you will check in at the lodge and have Lunch. Then you will transfer to the visitor information center, after lunch to meet the park ranger guides for registration and briefing about the trek, dos and don’ts during chimpanzee trekking experience. After briefing, you will be divided into groups and each group depending on the number of people available shall be given a ranger. You will then trek into Kibale forest to track the Chimpanzees in their community settings. This trek can take about 3-4 hours and this also depending on chimps’ movements. The park has other primate species such as vervet Monkeys, Colobus Monkey, Grey-cheeked Mangabey and birds as well, Kibale forest national park has about 300 bird species hence being a good haven for birding. Our highlight are the chimps as once you find them, you will spend one-hour observing and following the chimpanzee through Kibale forest. It is a thrilling memorable experience. After the trek you will head back to the information Centre where your certificates will be given to you. Return to the lodge and relax as you wait for dinner.

DAY 2 Bigodi Sanctuary (Swamp) & Back to Kampala.

Travel Time from Kibale to Kampala is 5-6 hours

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

After your early morning breakfast, you will transfer to the Bigodi Wetlands on the eastern edge of Kibale forest in Bigodi swamp which is a good haven for birders. Since Kibale forest is the capital of primates in Africa, other primates include olive baboons, red-tailed, black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey and l’Hoest’s. The main activities are the Swamp walk and the community walk. In the swamp walk, you will walk into the wetlands to sight of wildlife such baboons and other creatures, birds such a Uganda woodland warbler, grey-winged robin, Abyssinian ground thrush, grey headed oli, grey-throated flycatcher, crested fly catcher, red-winged francolin, red-cheated, fluff tail, white napped pigeon masked and black capped apalises, chest nut wing starling orange.  You will also have chance of viewing forest elephants, buffalos. After the swamp walk, you will have the community walk which is usually done by the local people or guides in the community.

Optional Encounter: Please note, it depends on the time of your flight schedule

While in the community walk, we shall encounter local coffee processing, craft making and we shall also be taught how to make local beers through brewing.  You will later drive back to Kampala with a stopover to for lunch. You shall either be dropped at your accommodation or transfer for your late flight at the airport right on time.

 Tour Costs 

Tour Includes

• Meet & greet at Hotel or place of stay in Kampala or Entebbe
• Ground transport in a private well-maintained safari van or land cruiser

(Selection at time of inquiry) with a popup roof for game viewing with internet

• English speaking driver / guide
• Fuel costs as per your itinerary
• 1 nights’ Accommodation at your selected lodge or hotel
• Meals mentioned on the itinerary
• Activities & Park entrance fees: 1 nights 2 days Kibale
• Kibale National Park
• 1 Chimp Permit
• Bigodi Swamp Walk
• Box of material water in your Safari Vehicle
• Drop off at your hotel or place of stay

Tour Excludes

• X International flights
• X Visa Fees and Requirements
• X Meals not listed in the itinerary
• X Optional activities during the trip
• X Medical & travel insurance
• X Tips to different service providers eg guides, helpers and hotel staff
• X All personal expenses (Beverages/ Soft Drinks on meals, alcohol, laundry services
• X souvenirs

General Tips on your chimp safari:

• Kindly note the age limit for chimpanzee tracking is 15 and above
• Permits are limited book your permits in advance.
• Porter (Helper) whose is to help carrying the bags and support the client when required. For the trekking helper an additional fee of US$ 15 is charged.
• Health is key all trekkers as its key to have your safari and trek the Gorillas in a heath condition. Usually clients with infectious diseases like flu are not allowed to track reason being it can easily affect the endangered chimps. We the chimp DNA is 98.7 % close to that of humans.
• Another interesting activity is chimpanzee habituation in Kibale Forest National Park. Inquire for these rates
• Your flash must be off during photography.

What to bring for your chimp safari:

• Walking boots, long trousers as you will be hiking through Kibale Forest.
• Sun screen is essential
• Drinking water during the trekking
• Camera for pictures