5-Day Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Uganda.

Arrival at Entebbe:

• Upon landing at Entebbe International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by our safari representative who will brief you about your upcoming adventure. Get comfortable in our safari vehicle equipped for the rugged Ugandan roads.

Transfer to Budongo:

• A scenic drive awaits as you embark on the journey towards Budongo Forest Reserve, nestled within the greater Murchison Falls Conservation Area. It’s approximately a 4 to 5-hour drive northwest of Kampala. The landscape transitions from urban sprawl to verdant countryside dotted with traditional farms and villages.

Check-in:

• Upon arrival at Budongo Eco Lodge, nestled in the midst of the forest, you’ll check into your cabin. This eco-friendly accommodation emphasizes sustainability and harmony with the surrounding environment. At the lodge, you will have your lunch as you plan for an evening activity.
• optional, a guided nature walk to stretch your legs and familiarize yourself with the forest’s flora and fauna, especially its diverse birdlife, or stay and relax at your lodge with the view of the forest trees and canopies ahead. You will have dinner and rest for the night.

Chimpanzee Trekking:

• After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the park’s headquarters for a pre-trek briefing. Under the guidance of experienced rangers, delve into the forest in search of chimpanzees. Once located, you’ll have one precious hour to observe these fascinating primates in their natural habitat.

Transfer to Kibale:

• Post-trek, return to the lodge for lunch and then check out for your transfer to Kibale National Park. This leg of the journey introduces you to the scenic beauty of western Uganda and takes around 5-6 hours
• You’ll arrive at Kibale in the late afternoon and check into the Lodge, a comfortable retreat right at the doorstep of the forest. You can take a stroll around the lodge premises or enjoy relaxation at the bar or lodge restaurant.

Habituation Experience:

• Following breakfast, embark on a full-day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, a unique opportunity to accompany researchers and rangers as they acclimate chimpanzees to the presence of humans. Unlike the shorter treks, this full-day experience provides deeper insight into the lives of these primates.
• For lunch, a packed meal will be provided for you to enjoy in the heart of the forest. After that, you’ll head back to the lodge. Spend the evening at your leisure, possibly recounting the day’s encounters or taking a walk around the lodge’s grounds

• Early in the morning, you will Enjoy breakfast and then set off for the Kyambura Gorge, approximately a 2-hour drive from Kibale. Kyambura Gorge is a stretch of a rain forest with in the vast savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, you’ll undertake a trek to observe chimpanzees in a different setting. The gorge is often referred to as the “Valley of Apes” and is known for its dramatic landscapes. Trekking in kyambura gorge will take about 2-3 hours.
• Post-trek, you will have lunch in Queen Elizabeth National Park, probably Mweya Safari Lodge restaurant, with panoramic views of the surroundings. Then, you will proceed to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a journey that will take you through beautiful terraced hillsides and rural communities.
• Arrive at Mgahinga National Park in the evening and get checked into your lodge, nestled at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes, and enjoy the evening at leisure with dinner provided.

Golden Monkey Tracking:

• Wake up to an early breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing on golden monkey tracking. Trek through the bamboo forests as you seek out these lively and endangered primates. You can partake in a cultural visit to the local Batwa community. The Batwa pygmies are indigenous to the forest and offer insight into their unique way of life. You will head back to the lodge, have lunch, and also check out before embarking on the journey to Kampala.

Departure:

• After lunch, begin your journey back to Entebbe, Kampala, via the Kabale route and you will take an enroute to Mbarara, the equator at Kayabwe to take photos and also buy some souvenirs. The trip concludes with a transfer to your departure point at Entebbe international airport.

In conclusion, this five-day chimpanzee trekking safari offers a unique tapestry of experiences that fuse Uganda’s rich primate ecology with cultural insights, delivering an unforgettable adventure. From the intimate encounters with chimpanzees in their natural habitats of Budongo and Kibale forests to the enchanting pursuit of golden monkeys in Mgahinga and the cultural immersion with the Batwa Pygmies, every moment is curated to leave you with a deeper appreciation for nature’s complexity and the importance of conservation. This journey is more than just a safari; it’s a heartfelt nod to the wild beauty of Uganda and an enriching testament to the harmonious coexistence of wildlife and human cultures.