Our 2 days chimpanzee trekking in Uganda Kibale national park safari tour is a 2 day Uganda Chimp tracking safari in Kibale National Park that starts and ends in Kampala/Entebbe. Dramatic and enchanting, this exhilarating 2 days Uganda Chimpanzee trekking safari takes you on a magical adventure on foot deep into the rainforest of Kibale National Park for a privileged insight into the lives of the wild Chimpanzees (our closet known relatives) discovering their beauty, intelligence, and social structures.
The 795km2 Kibale Forest National Park is a natural habitat for an amazing 13 species of primates and contains one of the highest primate densities of any area on Earth. This forest park features over 350 tree species some rise to over 55m and provides a majestic canopy for the profusion of rain forest life, including over 1500 chimpanzees, Black-and-white colobus monkeys, Red-colobus monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, Uganda mangabeys, Vervet monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Olive baboons, Blue monkeys, Bushbabies, Pottos, a total of 70 mammal species, 250 butterfly species and 375 species of birds.
The 2 days chimpanzee trekking Uganda safari tour also features a scenic cycling encounter in the Mpanga Tea Estates, the hike to the Fort Portal Crater Lake field, and the heritage tour to the Amabere Caves. It is a perfect fun-filled mini-break adventure safari in Uganda to Kibale National Park.
Trek chimpanzees and discover the wildlife of Kibale Forest National Park.
Cycle in the Mpanga tea estates
Heritage and historical tour to Amabere Caves
An adventurous hike to the scenic Fort Portal Crater Lake Field
Day 1: Fort Portal Area & Kibale National Park
Day 2: Transfer back to Kampala
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Fort Portal Area, cycle in the Mpanga tea estates, Visit Amabeere Caves, Hike to the Fort Portal Crater Lake Field & Drive to Kibale National Park
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park & transfer back to Kampala
After breakfast at your place of stay in Kampala (at around 6.30 am), we’ll embark on a 300km (5-6 hours) drive to the Fort Portal area. We’ll drive through the impressive countryside landscapes of Uganda with impressive scenic views including the scenic Mubende inselbergs not forgetting the small towns en route including Mpigi, Mityana, Mubende and Kyenjojo.
You arrive in Mpanga tea estates in the mid-morning and then embark on a cycling experience. The green tea plantation is spread over a beautiful undulating landscape with endless scenic views which makes it ideal to encounter on your mountain bikes. On your cycling, you encounter the estate staff plucking tea and you are free to participate in the exercise to gain the exact touch. Retreat from the activity and continue to Fort Portal town where you will settle for lunch. The fort that gave the town its name might not stand anymore, but this is a beautiful town in another scenic area of the country.
After lunch, we’ll visit the Amabeere Caves which is named after the live stalactite formation, Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru (literally, Breast of Nyinamwiru). These breast-like features in the caves are believed to have belonged to Nyinamwiru, the daughter of King Bukuku who is said to have been so beautiful that no man could leave her alone. When Nyinamwiru father King Bukuku became weary of receiving marital requests from unsuitable suitors, he took the extreme measure of cutting off his daughter’s breasts to make her less attractive.
After visiting the caves we will then embark on the hike to the dramatic Fort Portal Crater Lake field where you traverse the challenging slopes of Kyeganywa hill, surrounded by a range of picturesque crater lakes and crater hollows (some of them over 400 metres deep) presenting one of the beautiful scenic sites in Uganda.
The top of Kyeganywa hill offers spectacular views of the Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day. We’ll retire from the activity and transfer to Kibale National Park, about an hour to the south arriving at the lodge in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – An adventurous hike to Amabere Cave and the scenic Fort Portal Crater Lake Field.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Crater Safari Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge/Primate Lodge Kibale
Midrange/Standard: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp/Turaco Tree Tops
Budget/Basic: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: – Approx. 300km or 5 hours
After an early morning breakfast (at around 6.30 am), we’ll drive to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre where you’ll meet the expert local ranger guide who will lead you into the magnificent rainforest of Kibale on your unforgettable Chimpanzee tracking encounter on foot which starts at 8 am. In fact, beforehand you’ll be given an informative talk on tracking etiquette after which you’ll embark on a trek in search of Chimpanzees.
Kibale’s chimpanzees have been tracked since 1993 and there is over 95% chance of locating some of Kibale’s 1500 Chimpanzees. The trek to see these intelligent apes lasts between 2-5 hours. Contact time with chimpanzees is limited to one hour; group size is limited to 6 visitors and participants must be aged 12 or over.
While tracking in the depths of the lush green forest, you’ll be surrounded by bird song, colourful butterflies and can expect to see at least 5 or 7 other types of monkeys, most probably the Black and white colobus, Uganda red colobus, Uganda mangabey, Red tailed monkey, Vervet monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and Olive baboons.
Finally, you approach the common chimpanzees which have been fully habituated and thus offer you an opportunity to draw closer, watching them (from a safe but intimate distance of 8-10 metres) and take pictures. Coming face to face with your closest relatives in the animal kingdom is a surreal experience.
You will feel a fascinating sense of familiarity as the chimpanzees mirror distinctly human behaviours and emotions. Whether you witness a mother’s love for her baby or the mischief of a younger sibling, chimpanzee trekking is the ultimate adventure. You have hours availed to you to encounter these precious apes and you are free to take as many photos as you can.
Retreat from the activity which tends to last 2 – 5 hours and get back to the starting point where you will rejoin your company safari guide to embark on a 300km journey driving for 5– 6 hours arriving in Kampala in the evening to mark the end of the tour.
The highlight of the day: – Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
Meal Plan: – Breakfast & Lunch
Drive distance & time: – Approx. 300km or 5 hours
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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