Uganda · Up-Close Animal Experiences

5-Day Uganda Safari with Kibale Chimps and Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions

5 Days Round trip from Kabale Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the crater lake field and the effects of explosive volcanicity near Fort Portal
02 Trek through the magnificent rain forest of Kibale to spend time with chimpanzees
03 Encounter hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and water birds on the Kazzinga Channel cruise
04 Search for the legendary tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Embark on a classic Uganda safari featuring chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park and Kyambura Gorge, along with wildlife encounters in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This journey takes you into Kibale, home to one of the highest diversities and concentrations of primates in Africa, for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives across its spectacular landscapes and a launch cruise on the spectacular Kazzinga Channel. Along the way, enjoy crater lake scenery, rich birdlife, and the chance to search for the legendary tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.

Once the chimpanzees are sighted, you can spend one hour with these intelligent apes, watching them play, eat, feed, and patrol their territories.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Kampala, Kabale, Fort Portal, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Transfer to Kibale National Park via Fort Portal

After breakfast at your hotel, embark on a 300 km (5-6 hour) drive to Fort Portal. Along the way, enjoy the magical views of the lush green countryside and impressive physical landscape, including distant views of Lake Wamala, close looks at the Mubende inselbergs, and the swamps of Kyengegwa and Kyenjojo before arriving in Fort Portal.
Settle in Fort Portal for lunch, then continue to the Amabele Caves for a heritage encounter. The breast-like features are believed to be the breasts of a young girl called NyinaMwiru, the mother of Ndahura, the famous Muchwezi ruler who expanded the Chwezi Empire across the interlacustrine region.
From the caves, hike through the Fort Portal Crater Lake field to explore the effects of explosive volcanicity in the area. The landscape is marked by a range of crater hollows, some of which have been filled with water to form crater lakes. The hike to the summit of Kyengegwa Hill offers panoramic views of the area and the distant Rwenzori Mountains. You will then continue to Kibale National Park for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Day 02

Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk

After a healthy breakfast, continue to the Kanyachu Visitor Centre, where you will meet the park ranger guide for a briefing on how the trekking is conducted. He will then lead you into the magnificent rain forest in Kibale for your unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience, which starts at 8 am. The trek takes 2-3 hours and involves hiking through challenging forest landscapes covered by mature trees and verdant flora, with 371 tree species recorded here. Once the chimpanzees are sighted, you can spend one hour with these intelligent apes, watching them play, eat, feed, and patrol their territories. Return for lunch and relax.
Later, connect to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a wetland walk. This sanctuary is an eco-tourism site and one of the best in Uganda, with over 200 bird species, including the great blue turaco. It is also a habitat for the swamp-dwelling sitatunga antelope and several primates. Return for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Day 03

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kazzinga Channel Cruise

After a cup of coffee, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Upon arrival, embark on a drive through the spectacular landscapes of the park in search of exciting wildlife such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and spotted hyenas, to mention but a few. You will also encounter many bird species, including flamingos, African skimmers, Ayres hawk eagle, and west banded snake eagle. After the game drive, return for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing launch cruise on the spectacular Kazzinga Channel. Here, you will encounter herds of hippos, crocodiles, and elephants cooling off on the shores, along with water birds such as the saddle-billed stork, pink-backed pelican, and African spoonbill, among others. The cruise takes 2 hours. After the activity, undertake a game drive along the channel in search of more wildlife as you continue to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Day 04

Ishasha Game Drive for Tree-Climbing Lions

After breakfast, transfer to the Ishasha sector, 75 km south of Queen Elizabeth National Park, driving through the impressive protected savannah landscapes. Upon arrival in the southern sector of the park, embark on a game drive in search of the legendary tree-climbing lions, which rest on fig tree branches during the daytime. The sector also supports other wildlife, including waterbucks, kobs, buffaloes, and elephants. After the game drive, return for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Day 05

Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trekking and Return to Kampala

After breakfast, embark on chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, where you descend into a forested gorge about 100 m deep, with sights of magical, lush mature tropical forest thriving below. Kyambura Gorge also harbours other primates, including black-and-white colobus, vervet, and red-tailed monkeys.
After the encounter, which takes 2-5 hours, embark on a 417 km (7-hour) drive to Kampala, making a stop at the Equator for lunch, photos, and the water experiment. Then continue your journey to Kampala.