Chimpanzees & Crater Lakes
Kibale's forest, the Fort Portal craters, and the savannah beyond.
- Duration
- 6 days, 5 nights
- Parks
- Kibale, Queen Elizabeth
- Vehicle
- Private 4x4 and guide
- Pace
- Even
Kibale holds thirteen primate species and the highest chimpanzee tracking success rate in East Africa. Pair it with the crater lakes around Fort Portal and the savannah of Queen Elizabeth to the south, and six days gives you forest, water and open plain without a single punishing drive.
Highlights
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, with the option of the full-day habituation experience
- The Bigodi wetland community walk — well run and genuinely local
- Crater lakes around Fort Portal
- Kazinga Channel cruise and Kasenyi game drives in Queen Elizabeth
Who this suits
Travellers drawn to primates and forest as much as to big game.
Pace. Even. Two bases, one short transfer between them.
Day by day
Drive times are realistic rather than optimistic, and every one includes the stops.
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Day1
Kampala to Kibale
West through Mubende to Fort Portal, with the tea estates and the crater country opening up in the last hour. Arrive in the afternoon.
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Day2
Chimpanzee tracking
Briefing at 8am, then into the forest. Chimpanzees move fast and high, so expect to spend as much time looking up as walking. One hour with the group once found. Afternoon free.
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Day3
Bigodi wetland and crater lakes
Morning walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary with a community guide — birds, monkeys and a good deal of context. Afternoon exploring the crater lakes around Fort Portal.
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Day4
Kibale to Queen Elizabeth
A short transfer south into the savannah. Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
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Day5
Kasenyi and the craters
Dawn game drive on the Kasenyi plains, rest through midday, then the crater lake drive or a second game drive in the late afternoon.
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Day6
Return to Kampala or Entebbe
The road east, with lunch and prayer stops planned in.
Accommodation is described by standard rather than by name. We confirm the exact properties with you in writing before you pay anything, and we tell you if a preferred property cannot accommodate a halal meal request.
Halal dining and prayer on this route
Arranged in advance for this specific itinerary, not added on request.
Halal dining
Fort Portal has a wider choice of dining than the forest lodges, which helps on the Kibale nights. All lodge meals confirmed in advance.
Prayer
Tracking briefings begin at 8am and 2pm, which sits comfortably around Fajr and Asr. We plan the day so Dhuhr is not rushed.
What is and is not included
Both stated in full, so there are no surprises later.
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a raised roof, and a window seat for everyone
- A dedicated English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- Airport transfers from and to Entebbe International Airport
- Accommodation as described, on the board basis confirmed at booking
- Halal meals arranged at every property, and packed meals on full activity days
- Prayer mats and a qibla compass in the vehicle, and planned prayer stops
- Drinking water in the vehicle throughout
- All national park entrance fees for the parks on your itinerary
- Game drives, boat cruises and guided walks as listed in the day-by-day plan
Not included
- International flights to and from Entebbe
- Uganda visa or East Africa Tourist Visa fees
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits — secured on your behalf and quoted at the official rate current when you enquire
- Travel and medical insurance, which we ask every traveller to hold
- Personal expenses, laundry and telephone charges
- Tips for your guide, porters and lodge staff
- Any activity marked optional in the itinerary
- Internal flights, where you choose them over a road transfer
CLIENT: confirm this inclusion list matches what you actually sell before the site goes live.
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