Day 1: Kibale Forest National Park
Briefing on the safari before we drive westwards towards Fort Portal to the Kibale Forest National Park (about 5 hours).
Traveling on both asphalt and unpaved roads, you pass through traditional Ugandan villages where you see people at work tending their traditional crops of millet, sorghum, beans and maize. The lush rolling hills of this region provide good photo opportunities.
As you approach Fort Portal in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, you enter Uganda's famous tea plantation region. A carpet of green spreads before you, as far as the eye can see, and seems an unusual contrast to the countryside through which you have just passed.
You arrive at Fort Portal, then, continue toward Kibale Forest, one of the great African rainforest research reserves. Years of study by scientists (who have cut a grid through the forest) have habituated many of its animals to human observers. This forest is famed for the variety of primates found here and it is a terrific area for birds. This rural Ugandan town (Fort Portal) is locally famous for its weaving and basketry, and we can spend some time briefly to examine some of this local art.
Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Kyaninga Lodge | Primate Lodge Kibale | Ndali Lodge
Moderate: Kibale Forest Camp
Low Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Assemble at Kanyankyu River camp at 08:00 hours to go for the most popular activity in this park which is chimpanzee tracking.
Chimpanzees are man’s closest cousins though they are one of the most threatened primate species. More primates like black and white Columbus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, bush babies, pottos and many bird species like the yellow spotted nicator, rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, green breasted pitta, the crowned eagle, black beef eater and mammals like elephants can be seen in this walk.
In the afternoon we visit a nearby forest swamp that is excellent for viewing primates and other forest animals. At the Eastern edge of Kibale Forest is Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary which is maintained by the local community. You will expect birds like the great blue turaco, blue monkeys, baboons, otters, mongoose, bush bucks, bush pigs and among others.
Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Kyaninga Lodge | Primate Lodge Kibale | Ndali Lodge
Moderate: Kibale Forest Camp
Low Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Instead of a 3-hour chimp Tracking, you can do an all-day Habituation Experience (US$ 220 per person). This experience can be done any time at Kibale Forest.
Day 3: Departure to Kampala
Breakfast and head for Kampala with our packed lunch through Fort Portal and Mubende. This route travels through breathtaking scenery and delightfully rolling plantations, some of the best in Uganda, arriving Kampala in the afternoon.
