5 DAYS OF CHIMPANZEES
Tour Detail
(Kibale Forest → Bigodi Swamp → Fort Portal)
Primate Pathways is a 5-day safari experience centred around chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, combined with community-led ecotourism at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary and cultural explorations in the charming Fort Portal region. This itinerary is perfect for travellers interested in Uganda’s rich biodiversity, with a focus on primates, birds, and authentic local life.
Itinerary Highlight
- Wildlife encounters
- Scenic Nature and landscapes
- Cultural interactions
- Lodging and hospitality
- Travel experiences & Level of activity
Price Includes
- Ground transfer & professional guide
- Accommodation on full board
- Chimpanzee tracking permits
- Permission to different cultural sites
- Bottled water
What is not included
- Personal expenses of any nature
- Extra activity not mentioned in the itinerary
- Gratitude to individuals
- Visa processing
- Travel insurance
Cost of Safari per person in $ (USD)
| Hotel options Sole traveler | 2pax | 3pax | 4pax | 5pax | ||||||
| Tourist van | Landcruiser | Tourist van | Landcruiser | Tourist van | Landcruiser | Tourist van | Landcruiser | Tourist van | Landcruiser | |
| Budget | 3,289 | 4,037 | 2,185 | 2,559 | 1,817 | 2,067 | 1,633 | 1,821 | 1,523 | 1,672 |
| Midrange | 4,025 | 4,773 | 2,921 | 3,295 | 2,553 | 2,803 | 2,369 | 2,557 | 2,259 | 2,408 |
| Luxury | 5,865 | 6,613 | 4,761 | 5,135 | 4,393 | 4,643 | 4,209 | 4,397 | 4,099 | 4,248 |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kampala → Kibale Forest National Park (approximately 320 km road distance)
Journey is 5–6 hours through, Kampala → Mityana → Mubende → Fort Portal → Kibale
Experience:
- Morning departure from Kampala at the agreed pick-up point
- Scenic drive through rural landscapes, tea plantations, and crater lakes
- Lunch en route in Fort Portal city
- Afternoon arrival and check-in at lodge near Kibale
- Evening at leisure or guided walk around the lodge
- Overnight: Lodge near Kibale Forest (accommodation options Budget, Midrange, or Luxury)
Meal plan: HB
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest
Experience:
- Have an early breakfast and transfer to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for briefing about the exercise
- Chimpanzee tracking experience takes between (2–5 hours, depending on location of chimps)
- Sightings may include other primates: red colobus, L’Hoest’s monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey
- Return to lodge for lunch
- Optional afternoon nature walks or visit to nearby crater lakes
- Overnight: at the lodge near Kibale (accommodation options Budget, Midrange, or Luxury)
Meal Plan: FB
Day 3: Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary – Community & Birding Experience
(6 km from Kibale (15–20 min drive)
- Morning guided nature walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
- Excellent for birdwatching (great blue turaco, hornbills) and primates
- Visit Bigodi Women’s Group for crafts, cooking demonstrations, or traditional storytelling
- Return to lodge for lunch and relaxation
- Optional tea plantation visits or guided crater lake tour
- Overnight: at the lodge near Kibale (accommodation options Budget, Midrange, or Luxury)
Meal Plan: FB
Day 4: Fort Portal City & Cultural Tour (Road distance:30 km round trip)
Travel Time is a total of 1 hour
- Morning drive to Fort Portal town
- Visit Tooro Kingdom Palace (Karuzika Palace)
- Explore local markets and the Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru caves
- Hike to Nyakasura falls or nearby crater lakes
- Lunch in Fort Portal at any chosen local restaurant of your choice
- Return to lodge in the afternoon
- Overnight: at the lodge near Kibale (accommodation options Budget, Midrange, or Luxury
Day 5: Kibale → Kampala / Entebbe
Road distance is 320 km and Travel Time: 5–6 hours
- Leisurely breakfast and check-out
- Return journey to Kampala or direct to Entebbe Airport
- Optional stops: tea estate views, roadside crafts, or photo ops along the way
