Kibale Primates and Murchison Falls Wildlife Explorer
Pant hoots in the forest, giraffes on the savannah and a river thundering through a gap in the rock. Six days across Uganda's wildest side.
Apes in the forest, giants on the plains
Kibale Forest National Park is home to chimpanzees and many other primates, including red colobus and several monkey species. After tracking chimps on foot, you drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, where the Nile meets savannah wildlife.
There you will game drive among elephants, giraffes and buffalo, cruise to the foot of the falls and hike to the top. It is a rich, balanced route from forest to river, with time to breathe.
Three moments you will carry home
The forest answers
A rising chorus of calls echoes through Kibale. Your ranger smiles, because the chimpanzees are close, and the chase becomes a walk toward a sound.
Where the Nile squeezes through
The river narrows to a gap of a few metres and drops in a roaring plume. From the boat, the sound reaches you before the view does.
Sundowners by the river
Hippos grunt, elephants drink and the sky turns gold. Sit back with a drink and let the day settle.
Your six days in Uganda
The road west
Entebbe or Kampala to Kibale
Tea estates and green hills lead you west, toward a forest that holds the largest concentration of primates in Africa.
- 07:00Pick up at Entebbe airport or your Kampala hotel. Meet your driver guide.
- 12:30Lunch break on the way to Fort Portal.
- 15:30Arrive in Fort Portal and continue to your lodge near Kibale Forest.
- 16:30Settle in and take a gentle walk around the lodge grounds.
- 19:00Dinner and a briefing on tomorrow.
Chimpanzee day
Tracking in Kibale and the Bigodi wetland
Kibale is loud with monkeys and birds. Then, somewhere ahead, a chorus of pant hoots tells your trackers the chimps are close.
- 06:30Breakfast.
- 07:30Briefing at the Kibale park visitor centre. Your tracking group is assigned.
- 08:00Track chimpanzees with a ranger, usually 2 to 5 hours. You spend 1 hour with them once found.
- 13:00Lunch and rest at the lodge.
- 15:00Guided walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, led by the local community.
- 19:00Dinner.
Across Uganda to the Nile
Kibale to Murchison Falls
A long day that changes the landscape completely: forest to savannah, and a river that pushes through a rock gap.
- 07:30Breakfast and check out.
- 08:00Depart Kibale toward Murchison Falls, about 7 to 8 hours.
- 12:30Lunch break on the way, with stops for photographs.
- 16:30Arrive at your lodge near Paraa.
- 18:30Sundowners overlooking the Nile.
- 19:30Dinner and an early night.
Savannah and the falls
Game drive and boat cruise
Elephants, giraffes and buffalo greet the morning. The afternoon belongs to the Nile and the roar of the falls.
- 06:30Take the ferry across the Nile to the northern bank.
- 07:00Game drive, looking for elephants, giraffes, lions and buffalo.
- 10:30Breakfast and rest at the lodge.
- 14:00Boat cruise on the Nile to the foot of Murchison Falls, about 3 hours.
- 19:00Dinner.
Top of the falls
Hike and a free afternoon
Stand where the Nile squeezes into a narrow gap and drops in a thundering plume.
- 07:30Breakfast.
- 08:30Drive and hike to the top of Murchison Falls.
- 11:30Return to the lodge for a late lunch.
- 15:30Optional sunset game drive or free time by the pool.
- 19:00Farewell dinner.
The road home
Murchison Falls to Entebbe or Kampala
One last look at the Nile, and a drive south with a story of apes, antelope and thundering water.
- 07:30Breakfast.
- 08:30Depart the park.
- 11:30Optional stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking on foot, quoted on request.
- 13:00Lunch break on the road.
- 15:30Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe.
How will your chimp tracking feel?
The forest sets the pace on Day 2. Slide to see what each kind of day looks like.
Choose your lodge level
| Area | Budget (on request) | Midrange | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibale, 2 nights | Chimpanzee Forest Guest House | Primate Lodge Kibale | Kyaninga Lodge, Fort Portal |
| Murchison Falls, 3 nights | Red Chilli Rest Camp | Murchison River Lodge | Paraa Safari Lodge |
Or similar lodges, depending on availability. Tell us your preference and we will confirm.
Smooth from first mile to last
- Private 4x4 with a professional local driver guide
- Airport or hotel pick up and drop off
- Long drives: about 6 hours on Day 1, 7 to 8 hours on Day 3, 7 hours on Day 6
- Ferry crossing of the Nile for northern bank game drives
- Permits, park fees and lodging handled by us
What you will do
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
- Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary community walk
- Game drive on the northern bank of the Nile
- Boat cruise to the foot of Murchison Falls
- Hike to the top of the falls
Clear costs, no surprises
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Kibale Primates and Murchison Falls Explorer, midrange, per person sharing | From USD 2,100 |
| Chimpanzee tracking permit, included | Included |
| Murchison park fees, ferry and boat cruise, included | Included |
| Luxury lodges or budget camps | Quoted on request |
| Chimpanzee habituation experience or Ziwa rhino tracking | Quoted at booking |
| Single room supplement | Quoted at booking |
| Uganda eVisa, paid by you | About USD 50 |
Included
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- 5 nights lodging, full board
- Private 4x4 and driver guide
- Airport transfers
- Murchison park fees and ferry
- Nile boat cruise and game drive
Not included
- International flights
- Visa and travel insurance
- Tips and personal items
- Alcoholic drinks
- Optional extras
Seasons
Dry months (Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb) give easier trails and good game viewing around the Nile. Green months (Mar to May, Oct to Nov) are lush and quieter. Chimps can be tracked all year.
Shape it around you
Tick what interests you and send it to our team in one tap.
Arrive ready
Documents and health
- Passport valid 6 months
- Uganda eVisa (evisa.go.ug)
- Yellow fever certificate
- Travel insurance with medical cover
- Ask your doctor about malaria advice
What to pack
Safety
- Keep about 8 metres from the chimpanzees
- Guests with colds or flu cannot track
- Stay in the vehicle on game drives unless told otherwise
- Wear life jackets on the boat
- Wear neutral colours, since tsetse flies can bite
Simple, secure payment
- 30 percent deposit confirms your booking and permit
- Balance due 60 days before arrival
- Bookings within 60 days are paid in full
- Pay online through WeTravel, or ask for bank details
Fair and clear if plans change
| When you cancel | What is refunded |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | Everything paid, except the permit and costs already committed |
| 30 to 59 days before arrival | 50 percent of the package price, excluding the permit |
| Under 30 days or no show | No refund |
Gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and are generally nonrefundable once purchased. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Where your booking stands
- Enquiry received
- Permit availability checked
- Itinerary agreed
- Deposit paid, confirmed
- Final documents sent
- Travel day
We update your stage and share a link ending in ?status=1 to 6 so you can follow it from your phone.
The forest and the river are waiting
Chimp tracking spaces and good lodges fill early in peak months. Tell us your dates and we will check availability today.
Kibale Primates and Murchison Falls Wildlife Explorer
Pant hoots in the forest, giraffes on the savannah and a river thundering through a gap in the rock. Six days across Uganda's wildest side.
Apes in the forest, giants on the plains
Kibale Forest National Park is home to chimpanzees and many other primates, including red colobus and several monkey species. After tracking chimps on foot, you drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, where the Nile meets savannah wildlife.
There you will game drive among elephants, giraffes and buffalo, cruise to the foot of the falls and hike to the top. It is a rich, balanced route from forest to river, with time to breathe.
Three moments you will carry home
The forest answers
A rising chorus of calls echoes through Kibale. Your ranger smiles, because the chimpanzees are close, and the chase becomes a walk toward a sound.
Where the Nile squeezes through
The river narrows to a gap of a few metres and drops in a roaring plume. From the boat, the sound reaches you before the view does.
Sundowners by the river
Hippos grunt, elephants drink and the sky turns gold. Sit back with a drink and let the day settle.
Your six days in Uganda
The road west
Entebbe or Kampala to Kibale
Tea estates and green hills lead you west, toward a forest that holds the largest concentration of primates in Africa.
- 07:00Pick up at Entebbe airport or your Kampala hotel. Meet your driver guide.
- 12:30Lunch break on the way to Fort Portal.
- 15:30Arrive in Fort Portal and continue to your lodge near Kibale Forest.
- 16:30Settle in and take a gentle walk around the lodge grounds.
- 19:00Dinner and a briefing on tomorrow.
Chimpanzee day
Tracking in Kibale and the Bigodi wetland
Kibale is loud with monkeys and birds. Then, somewhere ahead, a chorus of pant hoots tells your trackers the chimps are close.
- 06:30Breakfast.
- 07:30Briefing at the Kibale park visitor centre. Your tracking group is assigned.
- 08:00Track chimpanzees with a ranger, usually 2 to 5 hours. You spend 1 hour with them once found.
- 13:00Lunch and rest at the lodge.
- 15:00Guided walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, led by the local community.
- 19:00Dinner.
Across Uganda to the Nile
Kibale to Murchison Falls
A long day that changes the landscape completely: forest to savannah, and a river that pushes through a rock gap.
- 07:30Breakfast and check out.
- 08:00Depart Kibale toward Murchison Falls, about 7 to 8 hours.
- 12:30Lunch break on the way, with stops for photographs.
- 16:30Arrive at your lodge near Paraa.
- 18:30Sundowners overlooking the Nile.
- 19:30Dinner and an early night.
Savannah and the falls
Game drive and boat cruise
Elephants, giraffes and buffalo greet the morning. The afternoon belongs to the Nile and the roar of the falls.
- 06:30Take the ferry across the Nile to the northern bank.
- 07:00Game drive, looking for elephants, giraffes, lions and buffalo.
- 10:30Breakfast and rest at the lodge.
- 14:00Boat cruise on the Nile to the foot of Murchison Falls, about 3 hours.
- 19:00Dinner.
Top of the falls
Hike and a free afternoon
Stand where the Nile squeezes into a narrow gap and drops in a thundering plume.
- 07:30Breakfast.
- 08:30Drive and hike to the top of Murchison Falls.
- 11:30Return to the lodge for a late lunch.
- 15:30Optional sunset game drive or free time by the pool.
- 19:00Farewell dinner.
The road home
Murchison Falls to Entebbe or Kampala
One last look at the Nile, and a drive south with a story of apes, antelope and thundering water.
- 07:30Breakfast.
- 08:30Depart the park.
- 11:30Optional stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking on foot, quoted on request.
- 13:00Lunch break on the road.
- 15:30Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe.
How will your chimp tracking feel?
The forest sets the pace on Day 2. Slide to see what each kind of day looks like.
Choose your lodge level
| Area | Budget (on request) | Midrange | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibale, 2 nights | Chimpanzee Forest Guest House | Primate Lodge Kibale | Kyaninga Lodge, Fort Portal |
| Murchison Falls, 3 nights | Red Chilli Rest Camp | Murchison River Lodge | Paraa Safari Lodge |
Or similar lodges, depending on availability. Tell us your preference and we will confirm.
Smooth from first mile to last
- Private 4x4 with a professional local driver guide
- Airport or hotel pick up and drop off
- Long drives: about 6 hours on Day 1, 7 to 8 hours on Day 3, 7 hours on Day 6
- Ferry crossing of the Nile for northern bank game drives
- Permits, park fees and lodging handled by us
What you will do
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
- Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary community walk
- Game drive on the northern bank of the Nile
- Boat cruise to the foot of Murchison Falls
- Hike to the top of the falls
Clear costs, no surprises
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Kibale Primates and Murchison Falls Explorer, midrange, per person sharing | From USD 2,100 |
| Chimpanzee tracking permit, included | Included |
| Murchison park fees, ferry and boat cruise, included | Included |
| Luxury lodges or budget camps | Quoted on request |
| Chimpanzee habituation experience or Ziwa rhino tracking | Quoted at booking |
| Single room supplement | Quoted at booking |
| Uganda eVisa, paid by you | About USD 50 |
Included
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- 5 nights lodging, full board
- Private 4x4 and driver guide
- Airport transfers
- Murchison park fees and ferry
- Nile boat cruise and game drive
Not included
- International flights
- Visa and travel insurance
- Tips and personal items
- Alcoholic drinks
- Optional extras
Seasons
Dry months (Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb) give easier trails and good game viewing around the Nile. Green months (Mar to May, Oct to Nov) are lush and quieter. Chimps can be tracked all year.
Shape it around you
Tick what interests you and send it to our team in one tap.
Arrive ready
Documents and health
- Passport valid 6 months
- Uganda eVisa (evisa.go.ug)
- Yellow fever certificate
- Travel insurance with medical cover
- Ask your doctor about malaria advice
What to pack
Safety
- Keep about 8 metres from the chimpanzees
- Guests with colds or flu cannot track
- Stay in the vehicle on game drives unless told otherwise
- Wear life jackets on the boat
- Wear neutral colours, since tsetse flies can bite
Simple, secure payment
- 30 percent deposit confirms your booking and permit
- Balance due 60 days before arrival
- Bookings within 60 days are paid in full
- Pay online through WeTravel, or ask for bank details
Fair and clear if plans change
| When you cancel | What is refunded |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | Everything paid, except the permit and costs already committed |
| 30 to 59 days before arrival | 50 percent of the package price, excluding the permit |
| Under 30 days or no show | No refund |
Gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and are generally nonrefundable once purchased. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Where your booking stands
- Enquiry received
- Permit availability checked
- Itinerary agreed
- Deposit paid, confirmed
- Final documents sent
- Travel day
We update your stage and share a link ending in ?status=1 to 6 so you can follow it from your phone.
The forest and the river are waiting
Chimp tracking spaces and good lodges fill early in peak months. Tell us your dates and we will check availability today.