2 days chimpanzee trekking trip to Kibale Forest
Overview
This 2-day Kibale Chimpanzee Trekking Tour offers a thrilling adventure in Kibale National Park, famously known as the “Primate Capital of the World.” Home to 13 primate species, including chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, and olive baboons, this tour provides a unique opportunity to experience Uganda’s rich biodiversity. You’ll enjoy an immersive chimpanzee trekking experience and a captivating nature walk in Bigodi Swamp, known for its diverse birdlife and other primates.
Itinerary
Your adventure begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe by your driver-guide. The journey to Kibale National Park takes approximately 5-6 hours, offering stunning views of Uganda’s countryside. As you travel through western Uganda, you’ll pass scenic landscapes, rolling hills, tea plantations, banana farms, and crater lakes, with the majestic Rwenzori Mountains in the background.
Upon arrival in Fort Portal, you’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant, sampling traditional Ugandan cuisine. After lunch, proceed to Kibale National Park for an afternoon nature walk in Bigodi Swamp. This guided walk through the wetland sanctuary is a great introduction to the region’s biodiversity. You’ll encounter primates like black-and-white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys, along with colorful bird species such as the great blue turaco. Keep an eye out for mammals like the sitatunga antelope and bush pigs, as well as a variety of butterflies.
After the swamp walk, head to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, preparing for the next day’s chimpanzee adventure.
After an early breakfast, you’ll drive to the park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing. Here, a ranger guide will explain the rules and safety guidelines for chimpanzee trekking. You’ll be placed in a small group and assigned a specific chimpanzee family to track.
The trek through Kibale Forest can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the movement of the chimpanzees. Along the way, you’ll encounter other primates, such as blue monkeys, olive baboons, and l’hoest monkeys, as well as forest elephants, buffaloes, and various bird species.
Once you locate the chimpanzee family, you’ll have a magical hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watch them play, groom each other, feed, and interact, offering incredible insights into their social structure and behavior. Be sure to capture the moment with a flashless camera.
After the trekking experience, you’ll return to the park headquarters and meet your guide for a drive back to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, check out of the lodge and begin your journey back to Kampala. Enjoy a relaxing drive, with the possibility of stopping for photographs or purchasing souvenirs along the way. You’ll arrive in Kampala or Entebbe in the early evening, with drop-off at your hotel or the airport, depending on your travel plans.
