Chimpanzee Safaris

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Chimpanzee Safaris in Uganda

A call to a chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda is one that has to be received with both hands, maximum attention and will; because we are; a chimpanzee planet. Uganda is a beautiful tiny landlocked country in the east of the continent of Africa. It is neighbored by the Republic of Kenya, Rwanda, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Tanzania. This is home to the largest concentration of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Africa; the source of the Nile which is the Longest River on earth; the snowcapped mount Rwenzori which one of the tallest mountains in Africa, and not forgetting the rare tree climbing lions.

Chimpanzees are a rare species of primates native to savannah and forests of tropical Africa. There lifespan is about 38 years for females, and 33 years for males. The females weigh about 32-45kgs and males about 40-60kgs. They are omnivorous, feeding on mostly fruits, vegetables and certain insects.  More facts can be uncovered in Uganda where they call home. Scientist reveal that man and chimps have a common ancestry, as the apes possess over 98% human like genes. Get a closer experience of them laughing, feeding, play, and do more.

Why chimpanzee trekking safari?

Uganda has hundreds of activities one can do during a safari, however, when you have a keen consideration of all; chimpanzee trekking is unmatched. Uganda ranks as one of the best destinations for game drives, adventure safaris, boat cruises, Gorilla trekking, hiking safaris, city tours, bird watching, and cultural tours. Chimpanzee trekking safaris is more less a fact-finding adventure, yet rewarded with other primates such as the baboons, olive monkeys, black and white Columbus monkeys, and many more.

The unforgettable moments with chimpanzees involve listening to their over 25 sounds; watching them interact, mothers nurse their infants. Who doesn’t smile when a chimpanzee is picking an ant from the hole, feeding, or even when they are skipping from one tree branch to another? Chimpanzee trekking is cheaper, shorter, and less tiresome as compared to other trekking experiences. All you need is to book your permit at least 3 months before the actual day of the hike. It is a 99.9% Assurance of encountering the chimpanzees.

When to go on a chimpanzee trekking safari?

Chimpanzees can be encountered all-year round, and so does the trekking experience. You can either book the morning hours or evening hours, depending on your programs. June to September, and late December to March has less or no rains which offers a better hiking conditions. The other months are also good, though they come with a challenge of much rains which makes hiking difficulty or disrupted in case of abrupt downpour.

Morning hours is the best time to trek the chimpanzee because it is when there day has just started. They are often very active at that time, and searching for what to feed on.

3 famous chimpanzee trekking destinations.

Kibale Forest NP.

Kibale National Park is Uganda’s number one chimpanzee trekking destination located in the west. “Primate Capital” It is with over 13 primates co-existing together. It is a host to over 1500 chimpanzees, living groups, and habituated to human presence.

Uganda chimpanzee trekking permits cost 250$ for foreign non-residents. This fee covers park entry, and fee for ranger guides who will be taking you for the adventure. You can choose morning trekking which starts at 7:00am with a pre-trekking briefing, or the 2:00pm trekking which also starts with a pretrekking briefing. With shifts offer 100% chance of meeting your cousins.

Budongo Forest Reserve.

Composed of some of the oldest bamboo trees; it will be you and the chimpanzees. Who gets happier is subject to debate as their sound will tickle the inner feeling of excitement, whereas your presences raises their curiosity. Budongo forest is located in the boarder of Murchison fall national park-the largest and oldest national park in Uganda. This destination is located in the northwestern part of Uganda, about 305 kms from Kampala-the countries capital.

There are about 600-700 chimpanzees in Budongo forest and the trekking takes places in two shifts; the morning and evening shifts. Chimpanzee trekking fee for foreign non-residents cost 120$ and 85$ for east African residents and for foreign residents. Only persons above the age of 15 years are eligible for this activity. This fee is inclusive of guide fee, park entrance and conservation fees.

Kyambura Gorge

Referred to as the “Apes Valley” go trekking the chimpanzees at a 100mtr deep forested valley. There is an offer of chimpanzee trekking either in the morning or afternoon from 2pm. About 300 chimpanzee call this valley home. The permit cost are: 100$ for foreign non-residents, 80$ for foreign residents and 50,000ugx for East African residents. These rates are exclusive entry fee which is paid separate.

Kalinzu forest

This forest is located near Queen Elizabeth national park. It is the best option for budget travelers who have activities at the park. Over 300 chimpanzees are habituated here, and can be seen either during the morning trek that commences at 7:00am, or in the afternoon session that begins at 2:00pm.

Kalinzu forest chimp permit can be obtained on the same day of the hike, at 130$ for foreign non-residents and 65$ for both East African citizens and foreign residents.

What to pack for chimpanzee trekking Safari?

Wondering what to park for a Ugandan chimpanzee trekking safari, add a few items on this: good camera for photography, binoculars to watch distant apes, or birds in the forest, warm clothes, descent clothes, hat to protect your head while in the Jungle, hand gloves, long stockings, mask, waterproof hiking boots, insect repellants, and more. Depending on how long the safari is; don’t carry a lot of luggage, much of which you might not use?

In conclusion, choose and of the chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda for your family holiday, honeymoon, business vacation break, and more is a bonus pleasure. All you need is to book a few months in advance to secure your preferred dates, destination and timing. Other activities you can blend with chimpanzee trekking include; game drive, boat cruise, hiking, rafting adventure, cultural activities, city tours, birding, and much more. Choosing the right registered tour operator to arrange you trip is the step to a great chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda.

Chimpanzee Safaris in Uganda & Rwanda

7 Days Uganda Flying Safari

Overview Come for a 7-day Uganda flying safaris and experience the magnificence of the country’s major tourist destinations. Travel to Murchison Falls National Park to explore the vast savannahs and their exciting game drives; visit Kibale National Park for the vastly unique chimpanzee habituation experience and also encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in the dense forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest, occupying a total land area of about 384,000 hectares in the northeastern part of the country. The park consists of a diversity of wildlife, primate and bird species in its vast grasslands and woodland. There is also the grand Murchison Falls on the Victoria Nile that is used for boat cruises, birdwatching and wildlife and bottom of the falls viewing. Kibale National Park is a tropical rainforest that occupies a total land size of around 79,500 hectares in western Uganda. Kibale is popular for its 13 primate species including the largest population of chimpanzees in Uganda. Kibale also has 372 bird species, with a number of them endemic to the Albertine Rift Region. The primary tourist activities here include the chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation tours, beside birdwatching excursions. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda occupies around 32,100 hectares, on the edge of the Rift Valley. It is a tropical rainforest renowned for housing about a half of the global population of the endangered mountain gorillas. There are around 459 individual mountain gorillas that live in various gorilla families. The habituated families can be tracked for your amusement. There is also a golden opportunity for a gorilla habituation experience.   Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Fly (Transfer) to Pakuba Airstrip in Murchison Falls National Park At your hotel, our driver will meet you and brief you on the entire tour before driving you to either Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip. You will board a scheduled flight to Pakuba Airstrip in Murchison Falls National Park. At the Airstrip, another driver will meet you and take you to your lodge. You will check in, relax and have your delicious lunch. You will continue to relax before having your dinner and an overnight stay.

10 Days Luxury Flying Holiday

Overview The 10 days luxury flying holiday in Uganda takes you to the country’s wildlife-rich tourist destinations. You can explore Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Come and experience unique tourist activities that encompass gorilla trekking, game viewing, nature walks, chimpanzee trekking, boat cruises and much more. Enjoy the most comfortable flights and ground transportation options on 4X4 safari vehicles, driven by our dedicated tour guides. You will spend your nights in opulent accommodation facilities, inside and outside the national parks. Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Hotel Upon your arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, you will be met and greeted by our driver guide. The driver will brief you about the entire tour arrangement before taking you to your booked hotel in either Kampala or Entebbe. If time allows, you may go for a city tour to experience the lively streets and bustling markets. This exposes you to the local cultures and the people’s unique lifestyles. You will return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay. Day 2: Flight to Murchison Falls National Park You will wake up at your hotel to enjoy your breakfast. Check out and meet your driver, who will take you to Kajjansi Airfield for a chartered flight to Murchison Falls National Park. You will arrive at Pakuba airstrip in 1 to 1.5 hours time. A driver will pick you up and take you to your luxurious lodge in Murchison Falls National Park. You will check in and refresh yourself, while you wait for your lunch. In the evening you will have dinner and have an overnight stay.

3 DAYS CHIMPANZEE TREK SAFARI

Kibale Chimpanzee Trek safari is a typical primate adventure package and takes you to Kibale National Park. The 795sq.km Kibale Forest National Park is most popular for its exceptional chimpanzee trekking experiences. This typical rainforest park is home to 1500 chimpanzees and has 4 habituated chimp communities all open for trekking.  The 3-day chimp tour to Kibale includes a memorable chimpanzee trekking and a visit to Bigodi Wetland. Kibale NP, most popular as the primate capital of the world boasts of 13 primate species and aside from chimpanzees, the other species of primates to expect to encounter include bush baby, olive baboons, pottos, l’hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys.  Aside from primates, Kibale Forest Park is gifted with more than 375 species of birds and these include forest birds and Albertine rift endemic species. The park’s birds include the green breasted pittas, black and white-shrike flycatchers, hairy- breasted barbet, brown crowned tchagra, sunbirds and more. Brief Itinerary 

  • Day 1: Drive from Kampala to Kibale for Uganda chimpanzee trekking tour
  • Day 2: Uganda chimpanzee trek experience & visit Bigodi Wetland 
  • Day 3: Depart for Kampala or Entebbe city by car 
Detailed Itinerary  Day 1: Drive from Kampala to Kibale for Uganda chimpanzee trekking tour Check out of your hotel facility in Kampala or Entebbe city after having had a delicious cup of tea/coffee. Meet your primate safari guide for a short briefing about the 3 days Kibale chimpanzee trek safari. Set off for Kibale driving via Mityana-Mubende-Fort Portal tourism city for 5-6 hours’ drive trip. Enjoy the beautiful countryside and not to be the lush Matiri Forest Reserve and some primates. Arrive at Fort Portal tourism city for you to settle for a delicious lunch and later continue up to your lodge to relax.  Accommodation 
  • Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge
  • Midrange: Primate Lodge/Turaco Treetops
  • Budget: Isunga Lodge
Day 2: Uganda chimpanzee trek experience & visit Bigodi Wetland  Located in the heart of Kibale Forest National Park, Kanyanchu Visitor Centre will be your main area of interest early morning after having breakfast. This is where you will get briefed about chimpanzee trekking rules and regulations as early as 7:00am. The park official will allocate the park guides to lead you on actual search for chimpanzee communities and expect to take between 2 and 4 hours. Kibale isn’t as dense as other tropical rainforest parks like Bwindi and the treks aren’t as strenuous as mountain gorilla trekking adventures. Upon locating the chimpanzee community in the jungles of Kibale Forest Park, you have a maximum of one hour for photography and observing how chimps behave.  Luckily, a variety of other primates will be spotted on a search for chimpanzees and include colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, and several birds. After observing and exploring more about the common chimpanzees, begin walking back to the briefing area to be awarded a certificate for having successfully trekked chimps in this park then proceed to your lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, you will be accompanied up to Bigodi wetland for a memorable nature walk. Bigodi holds a variety of primates and interesting bird species including the Great blue turacos. Accommodation 
  • Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge
  • Midrange: Primate Lodge/Turaco Treetops
  • Budget: Isunga Lodge
Day 3: Depart for Kampala or Entebbe city by car  At leisure, enjoy a tasty cup of tea or coffee and after, proceed back to Kampala or Entebbe 5-6 hours’ drive.  End of safari  Inclusions 
  • Valid Kibale chimpanzee permit
  • All trip activities exclusive of optional 
  • Transportation by car and service of an English-speaking guide/driver 
  • Accommodation and meals on this 3-day trip
  • Forest/Nature walks at Bigodi Wetland/Swamp
  • Bottled water 
Exclusions 
  • Tips 
  • Visas
  • International flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Passports 
  • Shopping expenses 
  • All optional experiences or activities 
  • Extra accommodation options after or before the trip
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10 DAYS UGANDA AND RWANDA

This safari takes you through the best primate and wildlife destinations. This trip includes thrilling experiences like gorilla trekking in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, golden monkey tracking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Chimpanzee tracking & canopy walk in Nyungwe, game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park and city tour in Kigali.  Detailed Itinerary  Day 1: Pick up, drive by car to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Mbarara  Embark on a scenic drive from the vibrant Kampala capitalvia Masaka-Mbarara route to Queen Elizabeth NP, Uganda’s 2nd biggest park and most popular destination with huge herds of elephants. Located in Kasese, Western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth N/Park will be your target destination for big game viewing experience as per this itinerary.  Driving via the Mbarara route allows you to take a break at the Uganda Equator crossing for photography and relaxation. After, you continue to Igongo cultural center for tasty cultural/traditional dishes and finally, head off to your lodge at Queen Elizabeth National Park. Accommodation 

  • Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge 
  • Midrange: Enganzi Game Lodge/Elephant Plains
  • Budget: Simba Camp/Kazinga Channel Resort
Day 2: A full day in Queen Elizabeth NP exploring wildlife in the savanna plains  A delicious breakfast early morning and after, exit your lodge as early as 6:00am for a game drive. Starting your day with a morning game drive allows you to catch up with early risers along Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth Park. Expected sightings for the day through Kasenyi game track include spotted hyenas, lions, bush elephants, cape buffaloes, warthogs, bushbucks, waterbucks, leopards, and many birds including bustards.  From the Kasenyi plain game drive, return for a leisurely lunch and later, go experience the best of Kazinga channel launch cruise. This 2-hour recreational experience comes with mesmerizing encounters of aquatic life like hippos, crocodiles and water birds.  Accommodation 
  • Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge 
  • Midrange: Enganzi Game Lodge/Elephant Plains
  • Budget: Simba Camp/Kazinga Channel Resort
Day 3: From Queen Elizabeth Park to Bwindi via Ishasha  At leisure, enjoy a hefty breakfast and after, begin your journey to Bwindi National Park, a premier gorilla park located in Southwestern Uganda. A short game drive break will be held at Ishasha sector, a renowned area for spotting the tree climbing lions and several topis at Queen Elizabeth NP. You will also have the best of a bush lunch and later, continue to Bwindi. Accommodation 
  • Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
  • Midrange: Engagi Lodge
  • Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 4: Gorilla trekking with a guide from Bwindi NP, Batwa cultural experience in the afternoon Have a cup of tea/coffee and after, exit your comfortable lodge for a briefing to be conducted at the park offices by park officials. The morning briefing provides insight into safety guidelines for gorilla trekking and officials use this period to allocate guests to gorilla families/groups and park guides. By 8:00am, your actual search for mountain gorillas begins with the lead of an experienced Bwindi National Park guide.  This thrilling adventure may last you between 2 and 6 hours inclusive of an hour of up close and personal with a family of endangered mountain gorillas. Take pictures of the massive silverback and its family members then begin returning to the lodge for relaxation.  Later in the evening/afternoon, you will have a good time at Batwa community. This is where you will find the Batwa pygmies, the first people to live in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for several years and mainly lived there as hunters and gatherers.  Accommodation 
  • Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
  • Midrange: Engagi Lodge
  • Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 5: Depart Bwindi for Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri Rwanda  Following a hefty breakfast, you will set off from your gorilla lodge in Bwindi to Volcanoes NP located in the Ruhengeri area of Rwanda. Access to Rwanda will be via Katuna or Chanika border, then you proceed to the park to check in at your respective pre-booked lodges.  Accommodation 
  • Luxury: One&Only Gorilla Nest/Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
  • Midrange: Five Volcanoes Hotel/Da Vinci/Le Bambou 
  • Budget: Kinigi Guesthouse 
Day 6: Go visit Rwanda golden monkeys & Iby’Iwacu cultural village tour  Join the rest of the visitors for a briefing at Kinigi offices to have insight into safety measures for golden monkey tracking. The park guide will accompany you on actual search for golden monkeys beginning at 8:00am and the entire trek runs for 2-5 hours inclusive of an hour of up close and personal with a troop of these rare primates in the wild.  After spending a good time exploring the different behaviors of golden monkeys, get back to the lodge for a leisurely lunch. In the afternoon, you will be leaving the lodge once again and this time round, you will be taking part in a thrilling cultural experience at Iby’Iwacu cultural village. Accommodation 
  • Luxury: One&Only Gorilla Nest/Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
  • Midrange: Five Volcanoes Hotel/Da Vinci/Le Bambou 
  • Budget: Kinigi Guesthouse 
Day 7: Volcanoes NP-Nyungwe N/Park for chimpanzee encounters After breakfast, you will be picked up by a driver guide ready for your road trip to Nyungwe Forest NP. Nyungwe is one of Rwanda's leading primate destinations, home to red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, owl-faced monkeys, Rwenzori colobus monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, silver monkeys, olive baboons and l’hoest monkeys, etc. Settle for a leisurely lunch and after, proceed with an afternoon canopy walk through a suspended canopy walkway set 60m from the forest floor. Accommodation 
  • Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House
  • Midrange: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel
  • Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse 
Day 8: Chimpanzee trek Nyungwe & depart for Kigali Report to Uwinka reception very early for a briefing about chimpanzee trekking guidelines and for the official at the park to assign you the park guide. You will have a deep understanding of how chimpanzees behave and the opportunity to take pictures. As you trek through the rainforest of Nyungwe NP, do not forget to keep eyes on other primates and birds.  On returning from Nyungwe Forest, you will be offered lunch and later check out of the lodge. Drive to Kigali about 6-7 hours and you will be dropped off at the hotel for relaxation. Accommodation 
  • The Retreat/Five-to-Five Volcanoes Hotel
Day 9: Kigali city excursion –tour genocide sites within Kigali & other historical centres After a leisurely breakfast, set off for a full day city tour in Kigali Rwanda. This includes visiting iconic sites within the city center, especially Kigali memorial center, Kimironko local market and different craft centers for you to purchase some of the finest craft items, etc. The long-day Kigali excursion includes lunch break and you proceed with an afternoon session. Accommodation 
  • The Retreat/Five-to-Five Volcanoes Hotel
Day 10: Departure  Leave your hotel in Kigali for your flight at Kigali International Airport; about 13 km drive from the heart of Kigali city. This brings to an end the 10-day Uganda-Rwanda vacation. End of safari  Inclusions 
  • Gorilla/chimp permits
  • Accommodation and meals
  • Game drives
  • Launch cruise
  • Cultural experiences
  • Park entry fees
  • Guide/driver services 
  • Bottled water 
Exclusions 
  • Tips
  • Visas
  • Passports 
  • Insurance 
  • Telephone bills
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3 DAYS RWANDA CHIMPANZEE TOUR

Rwanda chimpanzee tour provides the best of Rwanda Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking and canopy walking experience. Nyungwe Forest National Park (NFNP) is the leading chimpanzee trekking park in Rwanda and is also the country’s biggest rainforest protected area.  Lying in Rusizi, Nyungwe NP is 970sq.km and shelters a total of 500 chimpanzees, and other primates such as l’hoest monkeys, red tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, silver monkeys, and more than 310 species of birds.  The diversity of birds in Nyungwe comprise of handsome spur fowl, grauer’s swamp warblers, Rockefeller’s sunbird, Kivu ground thrush, regal sunbird, red-collared mountain babblers, Rwenzori nightjars, and more.  Brief Itinerary 

  • Day 1: Transfer by road to Nyungwe Forest NP (Rusizi)
  • Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking Nyungwe & canopy walk experience 
  • Day 3: Departure 
Detailed Itinerary  Day 1: Transfer by road to Nyungwe Forest NP (Rusizi) Depart early morning for Nyungwe National Park 6-7 hours’ drive located in the Southern Province of Rwanda. Your journey covers en-route stopover at the Ethnographic Museum in Huye, exploring the distinct cultures and history of Rwanda. You will also pay a visit to Nyanza King’s palace and later, enjoy lunch before you continue to check in at the lodge at Nyungwe Forest National Park.  Accommodation 
  • Luxury/Upmarket: One&Only Nyungwe House
  • Midrange/Moderate: Nyungwe Top View Lodge
  • Budget: Gisakura Guest House 
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking Nyungwe & canopy walk experience  Embark on a guided Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking experience starting with briefing at Uwinka reception. Leave the lodge as early as 5:00am and you will have insight into chimpanzee trekking guidelines and later, the park guides will be assigned to you.  From Uwinka reception, you will set off for actual chimpanzee trekking experience with a guide lasting for 2-4 hours inclusive of an hour for up close and personal moments with chimpanzees. Variety of other primates will also be encountered including vervet monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, colobus monkeys and birds. In the afternoon, setoff for a canopy walk starting from Igishigishigi trail running for about 2 hours. On this suspended walkway, you will have sights of birds, primates and scenic Nyungwe Forest canopy cover. Accommodation 
  • Luxury/Upmarket: One&Only Nyungwe House
  • Midrange/Moderate: Nyungwe Top View Lodge
  • Budget: Gisakura Guest House 
Day 3: Departure  Enjoy a hefty breakfast and after, you will check out of the lodge from Nyungwe National Park. This will be a 6-7 hours’ drive to Kigali where you may conduct a short city tour which includes a visit to historical sites like Kigali memorial centre. You may settle at the hotel or proceed to the airport for departure in the evening. End of safari  Safari Inclusions 
  • Canopy walk
  • Chimpanzee permits 
  • All transportation on ground as per this itinerary
  • Visit to historical sites
  • Full time English-speaking guide/driver 
  • Accommodation options and meals 
  • Bottled water 
Safari Exclusions 
  • Tips
  • Laundry services
  • International Airfares
  • Beverages 
  • Bills on telephones
  • Insurance
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