Sustainable Tour Operators in Uganda
Sustainable Tour Operators in Kenya
Uganda is one of Africa’s top wildlife destinations, offering a unique combination of Chimpanzee Trekking and Safari in Uganda. With over 5,000 wild chimpanzees, the country is a prime location for chimpanzee trekking. Alongside primate experiences, Uganda’s national parks provide incredible game drives, boat safaris, and breathtaking landscapes.
Why Choose Uganda for Chimpanzee Trekking & Safari?
✅ Home to over 50% of East Africa’s chimpanzees.
✅ Offers both chimp trekking and full-day habituation experiences.
✅ Combines primate trekking with Big Five safaris in a single trip.
✅ More affordable permits than Rwanda’s gorilla and chimpanzee permits.
✅ Stunning landscapes, from rainforests to savannahs and waterfalls.
Best Time for Chimpanzee Trekking and Safari in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking is available year-round, but the best time to visit is during the dry seasons when the trails are less muddy, and wildlife viewing is excellent:
🔹 Best Months: June – September & December – February
🔹 Rainy Seasons (March-May & October-November): Fewer tourists, lush forests, but trails may be slippery.
Top Destinations for Chimpanzee Trekking and Safari in Uganda
1. Kibale National Park (Best for Chimpanzees)
⭐ “Primate Capital of the World” with over 1,500 chimpanzees.
✔ Best place for chimpanzee trekking & habituation experience.
✔ Home to 13 primate species, including black-and-white colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys.
✔ Offers a full-day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHE) for those who want extended encounters.
2. Budongo Forest (Murchison Falls National Park)
✔ One of Uganda’s oldest mahogany forests, rich in biodiversity.
✔ Part of Murchison Falls National Park, making it easy to combine with a safari.
✔ Great alternative to Kibale, with fewer tourists.
3. Kyambura Gorge (Queen Elizabeth National Park)
✔ Known as the “Valley of Apes”, offering scenic chimpanzee treks.
✔ Located in Queen Elizabeth National Park, allowing for a combination of game drives and primate trekking.
✔ The chimpanzee population here is smaller, but the stunning landscapes make it worthwhile.
4. Kalinzu Forest Reserve
✔ A budget-friendly alternative to Kibale & Kyambura.
✔ High success rate of seeing chimpanzees.
✔ Located near Queen Elizabeth NP, making it easy to combine with a safari.
Best National Parks for a Safari in Uganda
🌿 Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda’s largest park with lions, elephants, leopards, giraffes, and boat safaris to the falls.
🌿 Queen Elizabeth National Park – Famous for tree-climbing lions, game drives, and Kazinga Channel boat safaris.
🌿 Bwindi & Mgahinga National Parks – Primarily for gorilla trekking, but also home to chimpanzees and other primates.
Permits & Costs for Chimpanzee Trekking and Safari in Uganda
- Chimpanzee Trekking Permit (Kibale NP): $250 per person.
- Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHE, Kibale NP): $300 per person.
- Budongo Forest Permit: $130 per person.
- Kyambura Gorge Permit: $50 per person.
- Kalinzu Forest Permit: $130 per person.
Game drives and boat safaris are usually included in park entrance fees (~$40 per person).
Here’s a detailed 8-day itinerary for a Chimpanzee Trekking & Safari in Uganda, starting with Murchison Falls National Park and covering Budongo Forest, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kyambura Gorge.
8-Day Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking & Safari Itinerary
Start: Entebbe | End: Entebbe
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe & Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
🚗 Drive Time: ~5-6 hours (305 km)
📍 Highlights: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Top of Murchison Falls
- Morning: Pickup from Entebbe/Kampala and start the journey north to Murchison Falls National Park.
- Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking on foot. (~2 hours)
- Lunch in Masindi Town, then continue to Murchison Falls.
- Visit Top of Murchison Falls for stunning views of the world’s most powerful waterfall.
- Check-in at your lodge and enjoy a relaxing evening.
🏨 Accommodation:
- Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge / Paraa Safari Lodge
- Mid-Range: Pakuba Safari Lodge
- Budget: Red Chilli Rest Camp
🍽️ Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Game Drive & Boat Safari in Murchison Falls National Park
📍 Highlights: Game drive, Boat safari on the Nile, Hiking to the Falls
- Early morning game drive on the Buligi game tracks, looking for lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, and antelopes.
- Return to the lodge for breakfast & relaxation.
- Afternoon boat safari on the Victoria Nile to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and birdlife.
- Optional: Hike to the top of Murchison Falls (~45 min).
- Return to the lodge for dinner & relaxation.
🏨 Accommodation: Same as Day 1
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest & Transfer to Kibale
🚗 Drive Time: ~6-7 hours (350 km)
📍 Highlights: Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo
- Early morning transfer to Budongo Forest (part of Murchison Falls NP) for chimpanzee trekking. (~3 hours)
- Lunch in Masindi, then start the scenic drive to Kibale National Park.
- Arrive in Kibale Forest in the evening & check in at the lodge.
🏨 Accommodation:
- Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge / Kyaninga Lodge
- Mid-Range: Turaco Treetops / Isunga Lodge
- Budget: Chimpanzee Guesthouse
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale & Bigodi Swamp Walk
📍 Highlights: Chimpanzee Trekking, Bigodi Wetland Walk
- Morning chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park (~3-4 hours). Expect to see chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and birds.
- Return to the lodge for lunch & relaxation.
- Afternoon visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a nature walk with opportunities to see monkeys, butterflies, and over 200 bird species.
- Return to the lodge for dinner & overnight stay.
🏨 Accommodation: Same as Day 3
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Game Drive
🚗 Drive Time: ~3 hours (160 km)
📍 Highlights: Game drive in Queen Elizabeth NP
- Morning: Scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Fort Portal.
- Afternoon game drive in Kasenyi Plains, searching for lions, elephants, buffalos, antelopes, and leopards.
- Check-in at the lodge & relax.
🏨 Accommodation:
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Kyambura Gorge Lodge
- Mid-Range: Elephant Plains Lodge / Enganzi Lodge
- Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge & Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel
📍 Highlights: Chimpanzee Trekking, Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
- Morning chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge (also called the Valley of Apes).
- Return to the lodge for lunch & relaxation.
- Afternoon boat safari on Kazinga Channel, famous for its hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and rich birdlife.
- Evening relaxation at the lodge.
🏨 Accommodation: Same as Day 5
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Transfer to Ishasha & Search for Tree-Climbing Lions
🚗 Drive Time: ~2-3 hours (100 km)
📍 Highlights: Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha
- Morning transfer to Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth NP.
- Game drive searching for the famous tree-climbing lions lounging on fig trees.
- Lunch at the lodge.
- Afternoon game drive & relaxation.
🏨 Accommodation:
- Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
- Mid-Range: Enjojo Lodge
- Budget: Ishasha Jungle Lodge
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Return to Entebbe & Departure
🚗 Drive Time: ~6-7 hours (410 km)
📍 Highlights: Scenic drive, Equator stop
- Morning drive back to Entebbe with a stop at the Uganda Equator for photos & souvenirs.
- Lunch en route.
- Drop-off at Entebbe Airport for departure flight.
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Packing List for Chimpanzee Trekking
✔ Hiking Boots – Essential for forest trekking.
✔ Long Sleeves & Pants – Protects against scratches & insects.
✔ Rain Jacket – Weather is unpredictable in the rainforest.
✔ Insect Repellent – Prevents mosquito bites.
✔ Binoculars – Ideal for spotting primates & birds.
✔ Camera & Extra Batteries – For capturing the experience.
✔ Small Backpack – To carry essentials.
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda offers an unforgettable experience, allowing you to witness humans’ closest relatives in their natural habitat. Combined with thrilling Big Five safaris, Uganda is a dream destination for nature lovers.
Contact Eco Adventure Safaris to book for you this itinerary that includes Chimpanzee Trekking and Safari in Uganda