2 Days 1 Night Chimpanzee Tracking Safari Budongo Forest Reserve is a short overnight expedition from the Kampala 1 Night Safaris to Budongo Forest in Uganda that offers unique opportunities to meet Chimpanzees – our closest relatives in their natural habitat.

Budongo Forest is situated approximately 3 hours drive northwest of the capital city Kampala on the way to the prominent Murchison Falls National Park.

The forest is renowned for its high number of mahogany trees and chimpanzees and is believed to contain some 600 to 700 chimpanzees and other primate species such as monkeys.

One can also view several bird species such as Chocolate-backed kingfisher, the White-thighed Hornbill and Puvel’s illadiposis found nowhere else in East.

The area is relatively flat and thus easy to trek. You’ll team up with field assistants at the Budongo Conservation Field Station to observe chimps and other primates as they forage for food in the morning and late afternoon.

The Budongo Forest is home to many fruiting trees and several species of primate that depend upon tree fruit as a major component of their diets. Budongo Forest is ranked among the top five tourist destinations in Uganda.

The forest contains the Royal Mile, named for its popularity as a traditional stopover for Uganda’s royalty.

The Royal Mile is a superb birding spot, with many West and Central African species in addition to the local East African species.

Chimpanzee Tracking (Kaniyo Pabidi only). The walk generally lasts between 2 to 4 hours in the forest. Maximum of 2 groups of 4 to 6 people per morning and afternoon will be allowed to track chimpanzees with our experienced guides.

The tracking will include one hour with the wild community of chimpanzees that have been habituated. This community is known as the southern community and consists of around 45 to 50 individuals.

The 2 Days 1 Night Chimpanzee Tracking Safari Budongo Forest Reserve will also include viewing of other wildlife in the forest and also seeing the oldest mahogany trees in East Africa. Other diurnal primates that may be seen during this walk are black and white colobus, red tail monkeys, blue monkeys and olive baboons.

2 DAYS 1 NIGHT CHIMPANZEE TRACKING SAFARI BUDONGO FOREST RESERVE ITINERARY

Day 1:Kampala – Drive To Budongo Forest Reserve

0700 Hours: Depart Kampala after breakfast fort a 3 hour drive to Budongo Forest Reserve. The scenic drive through Ugandan countryside offers so many picturesque vistas including villages.

You will be in a comfortable vehicle with (bottled water for your comfort) and driven by our professional English speaking driver.

1100 Hours: Arrive at Kaniyo Pabidi at Budongo Forest and lunch follows.  Our accommodations will be at the Budongo Eco-Lodge where one can sleep in any of the 4 dormitory rooms or any of the 6 intimate Log-Cabins.

After lunch at the Budongo Eco-Lodge enjoy a guided forest walk for about 4 hours to discover the beauty of this awesome place.

After lunch you choose to take a guided Forest Walk for  hours or a 3 hours guided birding adventure.

1900 Hours: Dinner at Budongo Eco Lodge and later relax at your porch in this lovely part of Uganda in the midst of the Budongo Forest.

Overnight at Budongo Eco Lodge

Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}


Day 2: Budongo Forest Reserve – Chimpanzee Tracking – Drive To Kampala

0700 Hours: Breakfast at the lodge then followed by Chimpanzee tracking for 3 to 4 hours in a small group experience. The Chimp trek sets out from the visitors information center at Budongo Eco Lodge.

Sometimes the Chimpanzee can be so near that they can be heard from the Budongo Eco lodge and the trek to find them will take a few minutes. You spend only one hour with the Chimpanzee and no more than 8 persons can track.

However during a certain times of the year when food is not readily available, the chimpamzees travel away from this territory, wondering deeper into the forest thus tracking them becomes more difficult.

Each day, chimpanzees like gorillas move to new locations for the night building fresh nests for the day. Budongo Forest is a project of both the Jane Goodall Institute and Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Enjoy your time with the chimpanzees.

1300 Hours: Lunch at Budongo Eco Lodge. Depart for Kampala to arrive late afternoon.

Meal Plan {Breakfast & Lunch}