This affordable 3-Day Kibale Chimp Trekking Tour takes you on a rewarding journey to Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda. Kibale is one of the most attractive national parks in Uganda.
This lush rainforest jungle is surrounded by Uganda rural villages, scenic crater lakes, and has the highest density and diversity of primates in all of Africa! You’ll have a unique chance to trek through the jungle, looking for some of the park’s 1,500 wild chimpanzees – our closest relatives in the animal world – and gain insights into current efforts to protect them.
In addition to the rare and extraordinary experience of tracking wild chimpanzees on foot, you will also see a variety of unique forest birds and monkeys, such as Vervet monkeys, red-colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, and Black-and-white colobus monkeys.
On this 3-day Uganda tour, you also take a cultural walk in the Bigodi Village to learn about African rural life in Uganda, enjoy a scenic hike in the Fort Portal Crater Lake Field, visit Amabere Caves, and tour Toro King’s palace. You’ll travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle and stay at well-established, excellent-value accommodation.
Featured Tour Activities
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
- Cultural tour to Amabere Caves
- Hike Kyeganywa hill & Fort Portal Crater Lake Field
- Explore Bigodi Village
- Visit Toro King’s Palace
Tour Highlights
Day 1: Pick Up From Kampala/Entebbe & Drive To Kibale Forest National Park. En Route Visits To Amabere Cave & Fort Portal Crater Lake Field.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking In Kibale Forest & Bigodi Village Walk
Day 3: Visit Karambi Tombs or Visit the Toro King’s Palace & Transfer Back to Kampala/Entebbe.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Kibale Forest
Your 3-Day Kibale Chimp Trekking Tour shall begin with a pick up from your place of stay in Kampala/Entebbe at around 7.00 am.
After a short briefing, you expert tour driver guide will take you on a drive of around 5 hours (320 km) west to Kibale. You’ll travel through Uganda’s beautiful green countryside, arriving in the town of Fort Portal at around lunchtime.
The fort that gave the town its name might not stand anymore, but this is a beautiful town in very scenic area of Uganda. It lies in the shadow of the legendary “Mountains of the Moon” and is famous for the many tea plantations.
You’ll enjoy lunch at one of best restaurants in town. After lunch, you will depart this lovely town and visit the Amabere Caves.
Amabeere means “Breasts” in local language and breast-like features in the cave are in fact live stalactite formations made of calcium carbonate. The white-coloured water that drips off thus called breast milk by local Toro people
After visiting the caves, you will embark on the hike to the Fort Portal Crater Lake field where you traverse the challenging slopes of Kyeganywa hill, surrounded by a range of crater lakes (some of them over 400m deep) presenting one of the beautiful scenic areas in Uganda. The top of the hill offers spectacular views of the Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day.
After the hike, transfer to Kibale National Park, around one hour drive to the south. You’ll reach your eco-friendly camp/lodge in the late afternoon and settle in. You’ll relax; enjoy dinner and your overnight stay. Tomorrow a thrilling adventure awaits!
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge / Kyaninga Lodge / Primate Lodge
Moderate: Kibale Forest Camp / Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse / Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cycling tour in Mpanga Tea Estate
- Nature walk in the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Village Walk.
After an early breakfast today, you will transfer the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre in Kibale National Park to your chimpanzee trekking adventure which begins promptly at 8 am. The encounter starts with a briefing from the excellent park rangers who will be your guides for the activity.
After the briefing, you’ll head to the verdant forest on foot, looking for one of the 1500 chimpanzees that call this protected area home.
There are also good chances of seeing red-tailed monkeys, colobus monkeys, Uganda mangabeys, olive baboons, Blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys.
The activity lasts about 2 to 6 hours and there is a 95% success rate of seeing chimps in Kibale Forest – far higher than any other location which offers chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, Tanzania, or Rwanda.
You will learn about the habits and social activities of these endangered apes – our closest relatives in the animal world. If you’re lucky to find yourself in the company of the chimps, you’ll have a full hour to enjoy these precious creatures and you are free to take as many photos as you wish!
After your amazing Chimp trek you’ll return to the starting point where you’ll enjoy your packed picnic lunch and catch your breaths after all the excitement.
Bigodi Village Walk
After your lunch the fun doesn’t stop, as you visit the nearby Village of Bigodi, home of two Uganda tribes. Here, you will discover the Uganda rural village accompanied by a professional English-speaking local guide.
You’ll visit a traditional healer who will happily share his knowledge about herbs, plants and local medicines.
You’ll also visit the homes of elderly men and women who tell interesting stories about birth, marriage, ceremonies, clans and traditional rural life. En route, you are given the chance to experience the Ugandan school system and tour BigodiÔÇÖs trading centre, a hub of rural life and activity.
With Advance Booking, The Cultural Walks Can Be Punctuated With A Number Of Add-Ons, Including:
- Traditional meals experience. You can indulge in a traditional Kitooro lunch of fresh, organic food under a thatched roof, with warm company to the background melodies of song birds.
- Dance and drama. You can also sit back and watch local dancers and dramatists give traditional and educational performances.
- Handicrafts demonstration. A local women’s group will demonstrate their meticulous crafts skills, using environmentally sustainable materials to make baskets, and other crafts items.
- Homestead Tourism. You can spend a night living the Kitooro way, in a community members – home. Rooms and traditional meals provided. Food is organic and stories and dancers as complements.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge / Kyaninga Lodge / Primate Lodge
Moderate: Kibale Forest Camp / Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse / Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Visit The Toro King’s Palace & Travel Back To Kampala.
After leisurely breakfast today, you will check out the lodge and say farewell to the great staff in the Kibale.
You will tour Toro King’s Palace for a cultural experience. Looking down at Fort Town from its highest hill, the palace is worth a visit purely for its 360-degree panoramic views. It IS the residence of King Oyo, who ascended the throne in 1995 at the age of three.
A guide will relate the history of the kingdom and explains the ceremonies that take place here, but you cannot go inside. From the palace, you will go for lunch in Fort Portal town, before setting off for Kampala/Entebbe. You will arrive in the late afternoon/evening for your onward travels.
Accommodation: Not Included
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Optional Activities
- Full/half day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
- Nature walks in Kibale Forest
- Bird watching in Kibale Forest
End of The Tour
The Package Includes:
- Private transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Chimps permit
- All fuel for the trip.
- English speaking driver/guide
- Guide ranger fees.
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary.
- All activities are described in the itinerary.
- The Park fee is according to the program.
- Meals are according to the program.
- Drinking water in the vehicle
The Package Excludes:
- Personal insurance
- International flights
- All meals and drinks not specified
- Laundry
- Your Uganda Visa fee
- Tips to guides
- Optional activities
