Overview.
This 3 days Kalinzu Forest chimp trekking tour offers a marvellous encounter with our closest relatives in the southwest of Uganda. The lush Kalinzu Forest Reserve covers are total surface area of about 137 square kilometers in the Albertine Rift region and close to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kalinzu Forest Reserve is situated on altitudinal range 700-1,840 meters above sea level. Kalinzu Forest Reserve is one of the few places in East Africa where you can see chimps in the wild.
Kalinzu Forest is a medium altitude moist evergreen forest sheltering around 230 individual chimpanzees. There are at least 40 habituated chimpanzees. These can be tracked throughout the year. The 3 days Kalinzu Forest chimp trekking tour is also an opportunity to pause at the Equator crossing and have fun. You will have a once in a lifetime opportunity of having one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern hemisphere. There is also a chance to explore one of the various tea estates in Bushenyi district, just near the forest reserve.
In Kalinzu Forest Reserve, you can also have a nature walk while on your chimp trekking tour. This is an opportunity to also do some birdwatching, identify butterfly species and the rare indigenous tree species. You might as well as encounter other primate species that share the ecosystem with the chimpanzees. The other primate species found in Kalinzu Forest Reserve include black and white colobus monkeys, L’hoest’s monkeys, olive baboons and vervet monkeys among others.
Your trip begins from Kampala/Entebbe and will also end in Kampala/Entebbe.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Transfer to Kalinzu Forest and Equator Experience
Our driver will collect you from Entebbe International Airport or at your hotel/residence in Kampala or Entebbe. You will be briefed about your captivating 3 days Kalinzu Forest chimp trek tour package. You will be transferred to Kalinzu Forest, 350 kilometers from Kampala. This is via Masaka and Mbarara roads towards the southwestern part of Uganda. You will have a pause at the Equator Crossing in Kayabwe, Mpigi district. This is an amazing chance to experience what it is like to be at both the northern and southern hemisphere.
You will also witness some experiments about the physical properties that occur at the equator. Also, take memorable photos/selfies for future references. There are craft shops close by for an opportunity to purchase Ugandan made crafts, art and other items that are culturally significant here. You will continue your journey. In Mbarara city, you will have a delicious enroute lunch. Continue to Kalinzu Forest. After your arrival, go to your lodge and check in. Have dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest Reserve and Tea Estate tour
Wake up for the early morning breakfast. Your driver will take you to Kalinzu Forest Visitor Center for a chimpanzee trekking adventure. This tour takes between an hour to even 3 hours and offers a chance to locate a habituated chimpanzee group. In a company of the forest ranger guide, you will spend an hour with them. Take as many photos or videos as possible of the vocal primates and watch their behavior. Afterwards return to the starting point, meet your driver who will drive you back to the lodge for lunch and refreshments.
In the afternoon, your driver guide will take you to the Kyamuhunga tea factory. You will learn how the tea leaves are picked in the garden, dried, and brewed for value addition. You will also be allowed to taste the tea and enjoy the sweet aroma. At the tea estate, you can also take photos of yourself while standing in the green background. Then, you will return to your lodge. You will have dinner. Go for a good night sleep to prepare for the next day’s return journey.
Day 3: Departure to Kampala/Entebbe
You will wake up at leisure to a morning breakfast at your accommodation. Check out of your lodge. Your guide will drive you to Kampala. There will be an enroute lunch in Mbarara City. In the evening, you will arrive in Kampala city. Upon your request, you may be dropped off to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight. This is the end of your memorable 3 days Kalinzu Forest chimp trek in Uganda.
