3 days Chimpanzee Tracking Kibale, spend 3 days in the jungles of Kibale national park and enjoy the thrill of observing chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Kibale national park is famous for harboring 13 primate species including chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, olive baboons, velvet monkeys. In addition to chimp tracking, a nature walk in Bigodi wetland sanctuary offers an opportunity to spot among other 8 primates. Bigodi is community managed conservation projects, where you can obtain typical Ugandan arts and crafts or visit a traditional healer for his stunning metaphysics.
These 3 days chimpanzee tracking safari begins in Entebbe or Kampala city. Chimpanzees are the main attractions and have been habituated for tourism since 1993 and are used to the presence of humans. The chance of seeing the great ape is almost 99% with the help of Uganda Wildlife Authority wildlife rangers. There are two tracking sessions which include the morning session at 8am and afternoon chimp tracking at 2pm. Kibale is a dense tropical rainforest with medium altitude between 1,100 – 1,600 meters above sea level. Chimpanzee trekking can be challenging due to the nature of terrain. Ensure to pack good hiking shoes, long pants, insect repellant among packing list essentials.
Highlights of 3 days chimpanzee tracking safari
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Bigodi swamp walk
- Village walks
Detailed 3 days chimpanzee tracking Kibale itinerary
Day 1: Kampala to Kibale National Park
Transfer from Entebbe or Kampala city in the early morning to Kibale National Park. The journey is 358 km (6-hour drive) passing via Mubende and arriving in the afternoon. Check in your lodge and settle for lunch. You may go for a sunset drive to some of the 50 crater filled lakes in the surroundings. Another option is a night forest walk to search for nocturnal bus baby species such as the Demidoff’s galago. You will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi swamp walk
This morning, you will gather at Kanyanchu, the park headquarters for briefing from the UWA trackers and rangers who will lead you into the jungle to search for the chimps. The chimp trek can take 1-4 hours depending on location. Once the chimps are located, you have an hour to observe and take pictures of the primates. You will trek back to the center to receive your chimpanzee tracking certificate before having lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, go for nature walk to Bigodi wetland sanctuary home to 8 primates and over 200 species of birds.
The open terrain of the swamp offers an opportunity to spot the endangered Ugandan mangabey and red colobus monkeys. The walk can last for 1-2 hours depending on interest in the flora and fauna. Alternatively, you may do a village walk to visit a traditional healer for his stunning metaphysics and the women’s center to learn about ancient of weaving. After this, it’s time to go back to the lodge for diner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer back to Kampala.
In the morning after a relaxed breakfast, you will set off back to Kampala arriving in the afternoon and transfer to your place preferred place.