Enjoy Uganda’s wildlife and primate experiences on this 5-day Murchison Falls and Kibale tour. This short trip gives you a mix of game viewing and chimpanzee tracking. You will enjoy a day game drive and boat ride in Murchison Falls National Park, which is Uganda’s largest park. Chimpanzee tracking will take place in the forest of Kibale National Park.
Murchison Falls National Park is a large protected area with woodlands, grasslands, and river forests. It covers 3,840 square kilometers and is home to 76 species of mammals and 451 species of birds. The park also features Murchison Falls, known as the world’s most powerful waterfalls. The park has 4 of the Big 5 animals, and since it is located in the northwest of Uganda, you also have a chance to see rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary along the way.
Kibale National Park is known as the primate capital of the world, with over 13 primate species including more than 1,500 chimpanzees. It has over 4 fully habituated chimpanzee groups available for tracking, starting from the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre.
Kibale Forest is also home to other primates such as l’hoest monkeys, colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and others. This tour also gives you nice views of the Rwenzori Mountains, especially when you reach Fort Portal.
5-Day Murchison Falls & Kibale National Park Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Pick-Up and Travel to Murchison Falls National Park – Rhino Tracking and Visit to Top of the Falls
- Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise
- Day 3: Travel to Kibale via Hoima and Fort Portal
- Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale and Bigodi Wetland Walk
- Day 5: Drive Back to Entebbe for Departure
Detailed 5-Day Murchison Falls & Kibale National Park Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Pick-Up and Travel to Murchison Falls National Park – Rhino Tracking and Visit to Top of the Falls
You will meet your safari guide at your hotel in Entebbe or at the agreed pick-up place. You will receive a warm welcome, and the guide will explain the travel plan. After the briefing, you will start your journey in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle to Murchison Falls National Park.
You will travel along the Kampala–Gulu highway for about 6 to 7 hours. Along the way, you will stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a rhino tracking activity with a local guide. This takes about 2 hours, and you will learn about rhinos, watch their behavior, and take pictures.
After tracking, continue to Masindi town for lunch. From Masindi, you will enter Murchison Falls National Park through the Southern gate (Kichumbanyobo Gate). As you enter, enjoy views of the green vegetation and primates as you continue to the northern part of the park. Before heading to the lodge, you will visit the top of the falls for a great view. The evening will be spent relaxing at your pre-booked lodge in the park.
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise
Have a good breakfast and get ready for an exciting day. You will explore the northern game tracks of Murchison Falls National Park on a guided game drive.
You may see animals like Jackson’s hartebeest, Rothschild giraffes, oribis, waterbucks, buffaloes, warthogs, lions, leopards (if lucky), hyenas, and many birds.
Return to the lodge for some rest and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, go for a boat ride starting at Paraa Jetty to the bottom of Murchison Falls. On the way, you may see hippos, crocodiles, and many water birds. After the boat ride, return to the lodge and relax for the evening.
Day 3: Travel to Kibale via Hoima and Fort Portal
After breakfast, check out of the lodge. Your safari guide will drive you to Kibale National Park. The journey offers nice views of the countryside, escarpments, tea plantations, and the Rwenzori Mountains when you reach Fort Portal.
You will stop for lunch in Fort Portal at a good hotel or restaurant. After lunch, continue to your lodge to relax, have dinner, and sleep.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale and Bigodi Wetland Walk
Leave your lodge early and head to the Kanyanchu Tourist Centre for the morning chimpanzee tracking briefing. You will be checked in by park staff and assigned a chimpanzee group and a ranger guide.
At around 8:00 AM, the trek begins. The walk takes 2 to 4 hours, including one hour with the chimpanzees. You will observe their behavior and take photos. You may also see other primates during the walk.
After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, go for a nature walk in Bigodi Wetland, which is near Kibale Forest. This is a good chance to see more primates, birds, and other small animals.
Primates in Bigodi include olive baboons, blue monkeys, red colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys. Birds you may see include papyrus gonoleks, great blue turacos, yellow-billed barbets, red-headed bluebills, snowy-crowned robin-chats, and more.
Day 5: Drive Back to Entebbe for Departure
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and check out of the lodge. Your guide will help you load your luggage and start the 6-hour drive back to Entebbe. You will have lunch on the way.
End of tour.
Visit Kibale National Park in Uganda with these recommended Uganda chimpanzee companies or inquire with us below to book your tour directly through this website.
