3 Days Chimpanzee Habituation Experience and Wildlife Tour
The 3 Days Chimpanzee Habituation Experience and Wildlife Tour is a highly popular tour package for visitors to Uganda. The safari takes you to Budongo Forest Reserve, which is the largest natural tropical rain forest in East Africa. The forest lies within Murchison Falls National Park, the most popular destination for wildlife safaris in Uganda. This safari tour includes a chimpanzee trekking experience in Budongo Forest National Forest Reserve during the low/off season when there are fewer visitors. The Jane Goodall Institute for Research, a private company, provides both chimp habituation and tracking experiences in Budongo Forest. After the Chimpanzee habituation, you will head to Murchison Falls National Park to explore all it has to offer during the three-day safari, including a safari to spot all the big 5. Murchison Falls National Park, which dates back to 1926, covers an area of over 3,800 square kilometers and is named after the Murchison Falls that flows through it, dividing into two – the southern and northern banks. The Murchison Falls cascades through 45 walls after passing through an 8-meter gorge, producing a sound like thunder, and a misty rainfall-like view.
Back in the 1970s, President Idi Amin Dada of Uganda attempted to change the name of Murchison Falls National Park to Kabalega Falls National Park, but the original name was reinstated after he was removed from power. This park is believed to be the best in Uganda, with a high concentration of popular African mammals such as buffaloes, crocodiles, lions, elephants, leopards, hyenas, baboons, warthogs, and several antelope species. In addition to that, it is home to over 400 bird species and various reptiles like rock pythons and Nile Monitor lizards. Murchison Falls National Park borders Budongo Forest National Forest Reserve, which is a large forest and the top destination for safaris in Uganda. Kanio Pabidi in Murchison Falls offers chimpanzee tours, which is a great addition to a safari tour in Murchison Falls National Park. During the low/off seasons, you can enjoy the Chimpanzee trekking experience in Budongo Forest National Forest Reserve. The Jane Goodall Institute for Research provides both chimp habituation and tracking experience in Budongo Forest.
After the Chimpanzee habituation, you can head to Murchison Falls National Park, which is one of the best places to visit during a Uganda wildlife safari. A three-day safari in Uganda is enough to explore Murchison Falls National Park, including a safari to spot all the big 5. Murchison Falls National Park started as a reserve in 1926 and now spans over 3800 square kilometers. It is named after the Murchison Falls that flows through the park, dividing it into two – the southern and northern banks. The Murchison Falls drops through 45 walls after passing/squeezing through an 8-meter gorge, and the lion’s roar in the park creates a thunderous sound and a great rainfall-like view caused by the mist.
Murchison Falls National Park has a concentration of most of Africa’s famous mammals. You will be able to spot about 76 species of mammals, which include buffalo, Nile crocodiles, lions, elephants, leopards, baboons, hyenas, warthogs, and several antelope species. You will also see over 400 bird species and several reptiles like the rock pythons and monitor lizards.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 of your trip includes pick-up from your hotel, as well as a visit to Murchison Falls National Park.
On the way, you will have the opportunity to track white rhinoceros at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is the only place in Uganda where these animals live in the wild. Your guide will accompany you during the tracking, and you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with the rhinos for up to an hour. After your rhino experience, you’ll have lunch and continue your journey to Murchison Falls National Park. Once you arrive, you’ll visit the top of the falls to take in the stunning view and listen to the sound of the water as it falls into a pool. You’ll then cross the Nile River to check into your lodge. In the evening, you’ll go on a night safari drive to see nocturnal animals and birds, such as lions, leopards, porcupines, civets, spotted hyenas, grazing hippos, and more. You’ll be able to appreciate the sounds of the wild and how animals spend their nights in the jungle. If you’re lucky, you may witness predator hunting, which is a unique savannah wildlife experience.
Murchison Falls National Park boasts a wide variety of animals, including 76 mammal species and 450 bird species. Some of the animals you may encounter include the Jackson’s Hartebeest, waterbuck, hippopotamus, Nile crocodile, chimpanzees, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, giraffes, Uganda Kobs, elephants, cape buffalo, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, civets and Oribis. You’ll get to see some of these animals up close during your rhino tracking experience and night safari drive. After your night drive, you’ll have dinner and stay overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Equivalent
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Murchison Falls National Park-morning game drive experience, Afternoon boat cruise on the Nile River-Night game drive experience safari.
Start your day early by waking up at 6:00 am and having a quick cup of coffee with a snack. Get your packed breakfast, climb into your safari vehicle, and embark on an early morning game drive safari to see wildlife. You have a higher chance of spotting wildlife species such as lions, leopards, hyenas, and jackals since they are still active in the jungle before retreating to their hideouts. During the morning game drive safari, you can expect to see a variety of animal species such as elephants, buffalos, warthogs, giraffes, and many antelopes, as well as several bird species. Murchison Falls National Park is the main stronghold for Rothschild Giraffes in Africa, so you will see plenty of them. Take a break for breakfast and continue with your game safari until 11:30 am. Your safari guide will assist you in spotting as many wildlife species as possible and providing you with a wealth of information about the wildlife you encounter. Keep your camera close at hand so you don’t miss anything. Return to your lodge after the game drive to relax for a while, have lunch, and then take a 3-hour afternoon Nile boat cruise. The boat cruise starts at 2:00 pm from Paraa and goes upstream up to 5:00 pm to the bottom of the Murchison Falls. The Nile boat cruise safari offers opportunities to see wildlife such as Nile crocodiles, hippos, and lizards. As you approach Murchison Falls, you’ll see many Nile crocodiles, among the largest ever seen amassed together, which is called the “Croc Bar.” Elephants, buffaloes, and antelope species can also be seen swimming and drinking at the river banks. This is a great opportunity to take photographs of various animals since the boat cruise takes you closer to hippos and crocodiles. You can also enjoy the birds, which are attracted to the Nile.
After the boat cruise, return to your lodge to have a free evening before dinner, and then go for a night game drive safari. The night game drive safari is exciting and offers more opportunities to see nocturnal animals such as lions, leopards, porcupines, civets, and spotted hyenas, among others. These species are more active at night, and if you’re lucky, you may witness them hunting, which is an unforgettable experience. During the night game drive safari, you’ll experience the nightlife of the jungle, observe animal behavior at night, and enjoy the sounds of the jungle. Murchison National Park is the best savannah park in Uganda for a night game drive. After the game drive, return to your lodge for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Equivalent.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Day 3: In the morning, participate in a chimpanzee habituation experience-Budongo Forest-before returning to Kampala.
Get your breakfast early morning and head to Budongo Forest for the Chimpanzee Habituation experience. Get to the briefing center and depart at 8:00 am for a hike in Budongo forest at Kaniyo Pabidi. Chimpanzee habituation is the process that allows chimpanzees to become accustomed to the presence of humans in their environment. The process takes about two years and in Budongo Forest you can take part in the chimpanzees’ habituation process, especially during times when there are fewer visitors to the forest. During Chimpanzee habituation, you will follow the Chimpanzee community and learn about their behaviours under the supervision of experienced researchers and trackers. The difference from normal chimpanzee trekking is that it lasts the whole day. You will spend more time with the chimpanzees and come prepared with good hiking boots, hand gloves, long-sleeve shirts/pants, sunglasses, and a wide brimmed hat. The chimpanzee habituation exercise in Budongo Forest takes a duration of over 4 hours which is enough for one to learn more about chimpanzees; their communication skills and eating habits, vocalization, reproductive habits, and to ask your guide as many questions as possible. After the experience in Budongo Forest, you will immediately drive back to Kampala at your hotel or Entebbe International Airport to end your 3 Days Chimpanzee Habituation Experience and Wildlife Tour.
Accommodation: End Of Tour
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Safari the includes:
· Pick up and drop off
· Park entrance
· Boat cruise
· Visiting the top of the falls
· Night game drive experience
· Chimpanzee habituation experience
· English-speaking guide for three days
· Meals for all the days
The price doesn’t include:
· Visas
· Alcoholic drinks
· Tips
· Personal items such as air time, souvenirs and anything not mentioned in the itinerary