3-Day Chimp Safari -Kibale Forest, Uganda.
A 3-day chimp safari to Kibale Forest National Park is one of the most rewarding short getaways in Uganda, combining chimpanzee trekking with a guided swamp walk and two nights at one of western Uganda's most distinctive lodges.
Your 3-Day Chimp Safari at a Glance
| Day | Itinerary | Accommodation | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kampala to Kibale NP | Crater Safari Lodge | B, L, D |
| 2 | Kibale NP / Chimp Trekking | Crater Safari Lodge | B, L, D |
| 3 | Kibale to Kampala | — | B, L |
Day 1: Kampala to Kibale Forest National Park
We pick you up from Kampala and drive westwards, taking the Mityana-Mubende road through traditional homesteads and tea plantations. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of this part of the country. We arrive in Fort Portal in time for lunch, then continue driving to Kibale Forest National Park. Check in at Crater Safari Lodge, dinner and overnight.
With lush tropical rainforest and a fascinating diversity of animals, Kibale Forest National Park is one of the most beautiful and stunning forests in Uganda, home to the largest number of primates in East Africa. Managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the park is home to the endangered chimpanzee, as well as the red colobus monkey and the rare L'Hoest's monkey. The forest holds one of the highest diversities and densities of primates in Africa, totaling 13 species including the black and white colobus, blue monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkey, bush babies, and pottos.
The park also hosts over 325 species of birds, including the yellow-spotted nicator, yellow-rumped tinkerbird, little greenbul, green-breasted pitta, African pitta, crowned eagle, and the black bee-eater. Impressive mammals include forest elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, and duikers, alongside bats, reptiles, amphibians, and a colourful variety of butterflies. Over 250 tree species have been recorded in the park.
Crater Safari Lodge is set on the banks of Nyinabulitwa Crater Lake, almost invisible in the surrounding landscape. On arrival, a hidden corridor leads you down on a journey to a unique and unforgettable experience, opening onto a panorama of uninterrupted, breathtaking scenery. The lodge has 9 ultra-luxurious cottages built in traditional African style, each individually designed with its own furniture and views over the lake, the perfect base for the rest of your 3-day chimp safari.
Day 2: Kibale Forest National Park
Early morning wake-up to be ready for the highlight of your 3-day chimp safari: chimpanzee trekking. In the afternoon, we visit Bigodi for a guided swamp walk. Bigodi is a fascinating area of papyrus and swamp forest, with strong possibilities of spotting the white-spotted flufftail, blue-headed coucal, blue-breasted kingfisher, yellow-billed barbet, scaly-throated honeyguide, scaly-breasted illadopsis, blue-shouldered and snowy-headed robin-chats, black-faced rufous warbler, and plenty of the spectacular great blue turaco. Dinner and overnight at Crater Safari Lodge.
Primate walk: This starts from Kanyanchu River Camp at 8:00 AM or 3:00 PM, and lasts 2 to 4 hours. It's the most popular walk in the park, highlighting the diversity of animal and plant species within the forest. Chimpanzees are the main attraction, with five groups partially habituated to human contact. The guided walk follows well-marked tracks covering 3 to 5km, and is limited to four groups of six people each in the morning, and the same number in the afternoon.
For the ultimate encounter, the park also offers the chimpanzee habituation experience, which allows visitors to spend time with the chimps from de-nesting in the morning through to bedtime, a popular add-on for travelers extending their 3-day chimp safari.
Day 3: Kibale Forest National Park to Kampala
Morning is free for an optional visit to the crater lakes area. After an early lunch at the lodge, we depart for Kampala.
End of safari.
Continue Planning Your Trip
Want the full picture on chimp trekking before you book? Read our complete guide to chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, or dive into the specifics with our Kibale Forest chimp trek guide.
Explore more sample safari itineraries, use our Build My Safari tool to customize this trip, or contact us to check availability and pricing for your travel dates.
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