Tour Overview: 3 Days Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale
Three Days Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park invites you to explore one of Africa’s primate hubs, offering incredible encounters with chimps and a diverse array of 12 other primate species. Kibale National Park is situated in the southern region of Uganda, spanning an impressive 795 square kilometers. The park is a vibrant tapestry of lush tropical rainforests, expansive woodlands, and open savannahs, inviting exploration at every turn. The rain-forest is a vibrant expanse reminiscent of those in central Africa, though the passage of time and human impact have significantly diminished its vastness.
Kibale National Park offers a thrilling 3-day chimpanzee trekking safari. It is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees, 12 other primate species, 60 mammals, 375 bird species, and 351 types of trees. In the forest, towering trees reach heights of up to 55 meters, and some have stood for over 200 years, each one a testament to the passage of time and the wonders of nature. Before we proceed, it is essential to highlight that Kibale forest hosts a variety of wildlife, including forest elephants, leopards, lions (from Queen Elizabeth), warthogs, hippos, and giant forest pigs. Kibale forest is an incredible destination for tracking chimpanzees like no other. It’s a pity that Kibale lacks mountain gorillas, as their presence would likely make it one of the most sought-after national parks in Africa.
This tour offers the exciting opportunity to engage in the chimpanzee habituation experience. Embarking on a chimp habituation experience means following researchers as they engage in the fascinating journey of acclimating wild chimpanzees to human presence. The experience offers a deeper engagement than typical chimpanzee trekking, inviting you to track the chimps as they go about their day. There’s an exciting opportunity to observe unique chimp behavior, such as their hunting of other animals for meat. If you opt for the 3-day chimpanzee habituation in Kibale Forest, you will immerse yourself in a full day of engaging with the chimps as they become accustomed to your presence. Chimpanzee habituation involves rising earlier than normal to encounter the chimps before they begin their day and leave their nests. You then accompany them alongside the rangers and researchers as the day unfolds. As the day unfolds, you observe the chimps as they embark on their morning routines, forage for food, engage with one another, and ultimately prepare their cozy nests for the night ahead.
3 Days Kibale Chimpanzee Immersion JourneyThe 3-day chimpanzee trekking tour in Kibale features an exciting primates walk in Kanyanchu, vibrant birding, and an engaging visit to the local community. Participants in the full day chimpanzee habituation experience will need to skip afternoon activities on the second day.
Attention: Chimpanzee permits in Kibale are priced at $250 for international travelers and $200 for foreign residents. East African nationals invest 180,000 for the permit. The costs for chimpanzee habituation permits are set at $300 for international travelers, $250 for foreign residents, and 250,000 Uganda Shillings for East African nationals. These are just the expenses for the permits. A traveler must also think about where to stay, how to get around, and the flights they need to book. This tour package price is comprehensive – meaning that the final amount provided to you encompasses nearly everything, with the exception of flights, VISAs, and personal expenses.
Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Pickup and transfer to Kibale National Park – Explore the enchanting trails of the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
- Day 2: Embark on an exhilarating chimpanzee trekking adventure (or immerse yourself in the chimpanzee habituation experience), explore the lively primates in Kanyanchu, and enjoy a thrilling birding excursion.
- Day 3: Explore the Community – journey back to Entebbe or Kampala
3 Days Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Pickup and transfer to Kibale National Park – Explore the enchanting trails of the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
A driver from Mission Africa Safaris will greet you at the airport, setting the stage for your exciting 4-hour journey to Kibale National Park. Your journey will take you to Fort Portal town through Mubende, where you can enjoy a delightful lunch. Fort Portal is a stunning town in Uganda, brimming with excitement and exploration. If time permits, the Guide will lead you to explore the 3 Days Kibale Chimpanzee Tracking Tour, including the fascinating ‘Amabere ga nyina mwiru’ caves, the King’s palace, and the royal tombs in Karambi. As you embark on your journey, the stunning sights of the cater lakes and the majestic Rwenzori Mountains will leave you in awe. Upon your arrival at the park, you will be escorted to your lodging before embarking on an exciting guided nature walk through the enchanting Bigodi swamp. Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary is an incredible spot for birdwatching in Uganda. It is also home to a variety of primates and fascinating creatures such as the swamp antelope (Sitatunga), Bush bucks, Mongooses, Bush pigs, and Otters. The Bigodi Swamp is a vibrant habitat teeming with Papyrus Gonolek, Hornbills, Weaver birds, Waxbills, Kingfishers, Cuckoos, Flycatchers, and the majestic Great Blue Turaco.
Enjoy a delightful dinner and a cozy overnight stay at Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, offering both budget-friendly and mid-range accommodations. The exquisite retreat will be Papaya Lake lodge.
Day 2: Embark on an exhilarating chimpanzee trekking adventure (or immerse yourself in the chimpanzee habituation experience), explore the lively primates in Kanyanchu, and enjoy a thrilling birding excursion.
Rise with the sun and fuel up with a hearty breakfast to gear up for an exciting day ahead. The main highlight will be tracking chimpanzees on the Kanyanchu primates walk. The journey will unfold over 3 Days Kibale Chimpanzee Tracking Safari to encounter the thirteen primates residing in Kibale National Park, surrounded by stunning rainforests, vibrant trees, and fluttering butterflies. The journey of chimpanzee trekking in Kibale begins with an exciting briefing at the park office. The Rangers will track down the group by listening to their hoots and calls. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale offers a more reliable experience than that found in Nyungwe in Rwanda or Budongo forest in Murchison Falls National Park. They can be discovered more readily than in any other part of Uganda. Three vibrant communities of chimps thrive in Kibale forest. A team is dispatched to find them before informing the lead ranger through a radio call. Chimpanzee trekking lasts from two to four hours, depending on where your assigned group is located.
Three days of trekking with chimpanzees Kibale National Park Chimpanzee communities boast intricate social structures, where the formidable males serve as guardians of the group. In contrast to mountain gorillas, the tenure of a dominant chimp alpha male is brief, as he faces numerous challenges, particularly given the larger size of chimp communities. Additionally, chimp communities often break into smaller groups to forage when resources are limited. During your one-hour encounter with the Chimps, you will discover that they are incredibly agile and lively primates. They are always on the go, rarely remaining grounded like mountain gorillas. Get ready to embark on a journey as you trail behind them, leaping from branch to branch. Chimps are incredibly expressive and lively, especially when compared to mountain gorillas. In addition to the chimps, a stroll through Kanyanchu will unveil a variety of primates in the park, such as pottos, Grey Vervet Monkeys, baboons, Colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, grey checked mangabey, blue monkeys, and Red Tailed Monkeys.
After spending an hour with one chimp family, you will explore the other primates in the park before heading back to your hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, you will embark on an exciting journey along the boardwalk trail for birding. The Guide will unveil the secrets of the forest, revealing its rich history and the fascinating creatures that inhabit it. The afternoon boardwalk beckons only to those ready to embark on a thrilling chimpanzee trekking experience. If you are signed up for the chimpanzee habituation experience, then your schedule will be packed, leaving no room for birding.
Enjoy a delightful dinner and a cozy overnight stay at Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, offering both budget-friendly and mid-range options for your adventure-filled journey. The exquisite retreat will be Papaya Lake lodge.
Day 3: Explore the Community – journey back to Entebbe or Kampala
Rise at your own pace and enjoy a delightful breakfast. Get ready to embark on a village walk before setting off on the journey back to Kampala in the midday sun. As you immerse yourself in the community, you will discover their unique customs. 3 Days Kibale Forest Chimpanzee Habituation Experience and cultural heritage. As you stroll through the village or step into one of the homes, you will encounter the elders, guardians of rich stories and deep wisdom about the land and its past. You might explore the church, check out the school, and savor some of the local cuisine. It should not solely focus on the wildlife. Ugandans warmly welcome foreigners with open arms. If you have not had the chance to explore the Palace of the King of Toro or the Karambi tombs yet, now is the perfect moment to embark on that journey. Lunch will be an exciting stop on our journey. The landscape surrounding Fort Portal and this region of Uganda is absolutely stunning. Be on the lookout for the rugged hills, tea plantations, local farms with Ankole cattle, and hardworking peasants tending to their gardens. The driver will take you to a spot in Kampala or drop you off at the Airport.
End of tour
Itinerary Route Map
The tour starts from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park and back to Kigali at the end of the tour.
TOUR INCLUDES AND EXCLUS
Safari Includes
- Rwanda Gorilla Permits
- Bottled drinking water per day
- All other activities in the Itinerary
- Full Board accommodation for 2 nights
- Full-time 4X4 safari vehicle
- A Full-Time Guide/Driver
- Fuel for your safari
- Cultural and community visit
- Kigali city tour
- Pickup and drop-off at your desired location within Kigali
Safari Excludes
- International and local flights,
- visas
- personal expenses like tipping, beverages, wines, and insurance.
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