Day 1: Drive to Kibale

After breakfast, we will drive to Kibale forest. Kibale forest national park is the best safari destination for chimpanzee tracking in East Africa. It contains one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of all tropical forests in Uganda. It hosts 13 species of primates including the chimpanzee. It has about 1450 chimpanzees, which represent Uganda’s largest population of this endangered primate. It is also home to the rare L’hoest’s monkey and East Africa’s largest population of the threatened Uganda Red Colobus monkey. Other primates that you may see include the Mantled Guereza, Blue monkey, Uganda Mangabey, Red-tailed Monkey, Olive Baboon, Galagos and Pottos.  Kibale forest cover predominates in the northern and central parts of the park. Kibale is highest at the park’s northern tip which stands at 1590m above sea level. The Park also boasts 325 bird species. If you are lucky you may also see the African pitta, Green-breasted pitta, Black bee-eater, Yellow-spotted Nicator, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Little Greenbul, Brown-chested Alethe, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, and the Crowned eagle.

Check-in and enjoy birding at leisure within the vicinity of the lodge.

 Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking

Early morning departure as we head to the forest for an early start. We intend to try for the Green-breasted Pitta and then later proceed into the Chimpanzee tracking activity. Chimpanzee Tracking (trekking) is the activity where travelers with the help of a guide through the jungle following the trail left by a habituated chimpanzee family and when they find them, spend some time (usually an hour) with the chimps experiencing their cultures and traditions.

We will also have a chance to do some bird watching after the tracking activity to enjoy the forest species.

Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight. 

Day 3: Birding in Bigodi and in the afternoon visit Amabeere caves

We shall have breakfast and head out to Bigodi sanctuary which is very productive with riverine forest species like the White-spotted Flufftail, Brown Illadopsis, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Little, Plain, Slender-billed and Toro-olive Greenbuls etc. Bigodi is managed by the community set association Kibale Association For Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED) and a lot has been done to conserve the natural habitat while giving the local people much-needed income and benefits.

We shall have lunch and then head to Amabeere Ga Nyinamwiru caves. The caves are important in the Toro culture, as it’s linked to one of the great ancient kings that ruled the important Bunyoro- Kitara kingdoms. Apart from the caves, there is a beautiful waterfall and natural refreshing pool where guests can freshen up and take amazing pictures. Birding along the hills is also done to enjoy more of the garden species.

Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Move to Semliki National Park for Sempaya Hot springs and Birding

Early in the morning after an early breakfast, we will head to Semiliki National Park. Semliki has 441 recorded bird species representing 40% of Uganda’s total bird species and 66% of the country’s forest bird species. One should hope to see species such as; Nkulengu Rail, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Piping Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, African Piculet, White-throated Blue Swallow, Yellow-throated Nicator, Leaf-love, Swamp Palm Bulbul and more different bird species.

The Sempaya hot springs are an attraction not to miss. The most impressive is the “male spring” with a geyser that ejects very hot water up to 2 meters the air. The second one is the “female spring” which is more like a pool. Guides carry some eggs and bananas which get fully cooked within a few minutes- demonstrating the heat of the springs. Swimming is discouraged due to the heat intensity.

Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Travel back to Kampala

After a leisurely breakfast, we will head back to Kampala. You will be dropped off at your hotel