3 Days Chimp Tracking | Kibale National Park
3 Days Chimp Tracking in Uganda offers a perfect mix of chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale National Park and birding in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This primate and bird watching safari will begin with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, the Primate Capital of the world – a special place to see over 13 primate species.
While on a chimpanzee tracking adventure in Kibale Forest National Park, expect to explore one of the 4 habituated chimp communities.
Over 1500 chimps live in Kibale Forest alone and as per this itinerary, expect to enjoy a close interaction with these impressive primates in their natural habitat with a local guide.
Next exploration will be in Bigodi Wetland a biodiverse swamp sanctuary with over 138 bird species. It will be here where you will be led by a local guide on a guided nature/swamp walk.
Kibale National Park is a little slice of heaven located in Western Uganda. Kibale Forest National Park is a home to one Africa’s biodiverse tropical forests where over 13 species of primates can be spotted in a single habitat.
The 13 species of primates in Kibale National Park and in addition to 1500 chimpanzees; there are also grey-cheeked mangabeys, black faced vervet monkeys, olive baboons and blue monkeys.
Other primates in Kibale Forest include the red-tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, unique l’hoest monkeys, pottos, bush babies, black and white colobus monkeys.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a birder’s paradise located a few minutes from Kibale National Park. This scenic wetland is a home to over 138 bird species, plus countless butterflies, 8 species of primates, mammals like sitatungas etc. Your trip will begin and end in Entebbe city.
Highlights of 3 Days Chimp Tracking
- See more than 13 primate species in Kibale National Park.
- A close encounter with chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
- Enjoy sight of amazing birds in Uganda in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
- Ground travel in a comfortable 4WD vehicle.
- Company of an experienced driver guide.
- A bottled drinking water.
Brief itinerary – 3 Days Chimp Tracking
Day 1: Kibale National Park – Best of Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
Day 2: Best of Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale & Birding in Bigodi
Day 3: Return – Kampala or Entebbe city
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Kibale National Park – Best of Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda
Get the warmest welcome into Uganda after your tasty breakfast. After experienced guide from Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd will brief you on this exceptional 3 Days Chimp Tracking.
Leave Kampala for Kibale National Park in a 4×4 vehicle. Between Kampala and Kibale, about 5 main towns will be covered including Mityana, Mubende, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo and Fort Portal city.
Around Kyenjojo, enjoy the cool breeze of the lush Matiri Forest Reserve and on lucky day, spot some primates playing or crossing the road.
Settle for lunch at a hotel or Gardens Restaurant in Fort Portal city. After, proceed to Kibale National Park with en-route view of scenic Crater Lakes, Tea and Banana Plantations.
Where to stay
- Luxury: Papaya Lake Lodge/Ndali Lodge
- Mid-range: Primate Lodge/Turaco Tree Tops Lodge
Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner
Driving time: 6 hours
Day 2: Best of Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park & Bird watching in Bigodi Wetland
After a hot cup of tea or coffee, report to Kanyanchu Visitor Center to be briefed about Kibale Chimpanzee Tracking rules and to be allocated to park guide.
Briefing starts a bit early, and you will be expected at Kanyanchu early enough -first to clear with the Kibale National Park reception desk. After, you will be directed to the briefing room where the park official will take you through the dos and don’ts for tracking chimpanzees.
At around 8:00am, you and the allocated park ranger guide will begin your journey in the jungles. The entire chimpanzee trek excursion may last for 2-4 hours and luckily, you will also be spotting several other species that dwell in Kibale Forest.
Today is when you will meet chimpanzees face to face, our closest living relatives in the wild with over 98% DNA similar to ours. This will be maximized during the one hour of up close and personal encounter.
What else to expect. This fun-filling trekking adventure also gets you exposed to other primates, diverse birds, floral species, colorful butterflies, etc.
After the interaction with Kibale chimpanzees, the park ranger guide will lead the journey back to the briefing spot or meet the driver guide for pick up and transfer back to the lodge for relaxation.
After a delicious lunch and some refreshments from your respective accommodation, your driver will transfer you to Bigodi Wetland. This biodiverse swamp lies a few minutes from Kanyanchu Visitor Center.
Meet the local/community guide ready to immerse yourself into the scenic Bigodi wetland to enjoy the best of birding and expect to come across the great blue turacos, plus primates, mammals like sitatungas.
Where to stay
- Luxury: Papaya Lake Lodge/Ndali Lodge
- Mid-range: Primate Lodge/Turaco Tree Tops Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner – Kibale National Park
Day 3: Return – Kampala or Entebbe
Begin the journey back to Kampala or Entebbe with packed lunch. This will be after you have enjoyed breakfast and also checked out of the lodge.
When returning, you may take previous route (Fort Portal-Kampala/Entebbe) or longer route via Kasese-Bushenyi-Mbarara route and en-route (specifically for this route) make a stopover at Equator Crossing- take pictures, relax then make final journey to Kampala.
End of Tour – Best of 3 Days Chimp Tracking
3 Days Chimp Tracking package includes
- Kibale chimpanzee trekking permit (USD220)
- Birding in Bigodi Wetland
- 2nights and meals while in Kibale
- Full time English-speaking driver or guide in Uganda
- All relevant government taxes + levies
- Bottled water
- Ground travel in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle
3 Days Chimp Tracking package excludes
- Visas
- Airfares
- All personal expenses: souvenirs, laundry,
- Tips,
- Shopping,
- Telephone,
- Cigars, beverages etc.
Frequently Asked Questions about chimpanzee trekking in Kibale
What is chimpanzee tracking?
Chimpanzee tracking/trekking in Uganda is a unique primate adventure and entirely involves hiking or walking via the lush tropical rainforest.
The main target during the chimpanzee trek is to search for a habituated chimpanzee habituation community. Upon finding a chimpanzee community, visitors are given a maximum of an hour to interact with the chimps, take photos and observe their behaviors.
How strong is a chimp?
Chimpanzees are believed to be stronger than humans. One chimp is said to have a strength equivalent to that of about 5 to 12 combined making them such powerful creatures.
Where to see chimps in Uganda?
To see chimpanzees in the wild on Uganda safaris, the best places to visit include Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. You can also visit Kalinzu Forest Reserve to enjoy a trek to see chimpanzees.
How many chimps are in Kibale?
Kibale National Park is where the highest population of chimps live. Over 1500 out of about 5050 chimpanzees in Uganda freely roam in Kibale Forest National Park.
In which district is Kibale National Park?
Kibale National Park is found in Western Uganda and its boundaries stretch covering the surrounding districts of Kamwenge, Kyenjojo, Kabarole and Kasese. The nearest city to Kiable is Fort Portal, about 26km.
How much is the Kibale chimpanzee permit cost?
As of 2024, the chimpanzee trekking permits cost USD 250 per person when you are a foreign nonresident and $200 per person for foreign residents. The East African citizens (Ugandans inclusive) obtain Kibale chimp permit at Uganda shs. 200,000 per person. The chimpanzee habituation permits are open for booking at USD 300 per person.
Are there gorillas in Kibale National Park?
NO! Kibale National Park only has chimpanzees and 12 other primate species. It is most popular as the primate capital of the world.
Over 4 habituated chimpanzee communities exist in Kibale and treks begin from Kanyanchu Visitor Centre after briefing.