Kibale National Park is a verdant forest with the highest population of wild chimpanzees in East Africa, estimated at 1,200 individuals. This safari of a lifetime takes you to this prime tourism asset of Uganda. As you pursue its chimps, you are likely to encounter at least five of the other 12 primate species living in the Park. During this trip, you will also explore truly awe-inspiring crater lakes, tea plantations and mingle with local communities.
Day 1: Departure for Kibale National Park
Following your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be picked up for a four hours road trip that is destined to Western Uganda. You will travel en-route the Kampala-Mubende-Fort Portal Highway. It is a well paved/tarmacked road with captivating views of rolling hills, tea plantations, banana plantations, tropical forests and traditional Ugandan villages. In an effort to make the trip less exhausting, there will be four stopovers at points where you can refresh and mingle with locals.
Upon your arrival at Fort Portal District, you will have a city tour before proceeding to your lodge in Kibale National Park (roughly one hour’s drive from the town). Among the major attractions you will visit include Karuzika, the royal Palace of Tooro kingdom.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park
After an early morning breakfast, you will be taken to the starting point of chimpanzee trekking where you find a ranger guide ready to brief you on the DOs and DON’Ts of the adventure. Thereafter, he will usher you into the forest for a 2-4 hours search for wild chimpanzees, starting at spot where they nested. Unlike mountain gorillas that make their nests in the ground due to their heavy weight, chimpanzees make their nests in the canopy. To get better views of them, don’t forget to carry your binoculars. Occasionally, they come down to the floor of the forest, primarily for bonding purposes. The beauty with Kibale is that its terrain is relatively flat, and thus not straining to the knee. This makes the adventure doable even by people with walking difficulties.
Once through with the trek, you will return to your safari lodge for a lunch break.
In the evening, you will pursue a sightseeing nature walk in a well conserved community owned swamped, Bigodi Wetland. It has a thriving population of bird species like Green-breasted Pitta and Great Blue Turraco.
The tour will be crowned with a visit to one of the communities living in the neighbourhood of the park. The biggest highlight is a first-hand experience of the native way of life of the Batoro, a kingdom of farmers. Their passion to showcase how they get married, how they cook, initiate their king is infectious. At no point will you feel bored as you will be engaged in every part of the tour.
Day 3. Departure for Kampala/Entebbe ahead of your flight
After breakfast, you will pursue a two hours tour of the most beautiful crater lakes in Uganda. Most of them are found within the same District that hosts Kibale National Park. Carry a good camera as there are so many picturesque scenes to capture.
Once through, you will start the four hours journey back to Kampala ahead of your departure. Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will be checked into a hotel where you can relax as you wait for your flight. Alternatively, you will be dropped at the airport if you prefer.
Travel Tip
Don’t forget to carry your jacket as Kibale is a rainforest that experiences spontaneous showers.
