Kyaninga Lodge
Thatched log cottages on the rim of a crater lake outside Fort Portal, within reach of Kibale Forest.
Ask about this lodge# LTM-UG-CL5|5 days, 4 nights
5-Day Chimpanzees & Tree-Climbing Lions
Starts & endsEntebbeRouteEntebbe › Queen ElizabethA private trip: it starts on any day you choose, and every quote is all-inclusive.
A private safari, 5 days, 4 nights
This private safari follows the western Rift Valley from the forests of Kibale to the savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You track chimpanzees at Kanyanchu, walk the Bigodi wetland, take the Kazinga Channel cruise and finish in the Ishasha sector, where lions rest in the fig trees.
It suits travellers who want primates and big game without a gorilla permit, and it can be extended into Bwindi for a gorilla trek.
Highlights
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
- The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk
- The Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Game drives on the Kasenyi plains
- Looking for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha
Day by day
- Entebbe
- Kibale
- Queen Elizabeth
- Entebbe
Day 1Entebbe › Fort Portal › Kibale
Entebbe to Kibale
A morning drive west through Mubende to Fort Portal and the crater-lake country around Kibale, arriving for a late lunch.
Day 2Kibale Forest
Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi
A morning trek from Kanyanchu to find the chimpanzee community, with an hour in their company. In the afternoon, a guided walk around the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for birds and monkeys.
Day 3Kibale › Queen Elizabeth
To Queen Elizabeth and the Kazinga Channel
South past the crater lakes into Queen Elizabeth National Park. In the afternoon, a two-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel among hippos, buffalo and water birds.
Day 4Queen Elizabeth › Ishasha
Kasenyi game drive and Ishasha
An early game drive on the Kasenyi plains for kob, buffalo and lion, then south to the Ishasha sector to look for lions in the fig trees.
Day 5Ishasha › Kihihi › Entebbe
Ishasha and back to Entebbe
A last morning drive in Ishasha, then on to Kihihi airstrip for the scheduled flight to Entebbe. The drive back by road takes most of a day if you prefer not to fly.
Lodges are confirmed in writing when you book, and timings are adjusted to your dates and pace.
Where you stay
One lodge in each area, or one of the same standard if they are full on your dates.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge
A Volcanoes Safaris lodge above the Kyambura Gorge, where chimpanzees live in the forest below.
Ask about this lodge
Ishasha Wilderness Camp
A tented camp on the Ntungwe River in the Ishasha sector, the base for finding tree-climbing lions.
Ask about this lodgeThe Mavens difference
Private vehicle and guide
A 4x4 with a pop-up roof and an English-speaking driver-guide, for you alone.
Luxury lodges
Every night at a lodge chosen for its position and its standards.
Fees and permits included
Park entry, permits and the activities in the itinerary are in the price.
Flexible by design
Lengthen, upgrade or combine the trip before you pay.
Included
- Chimpanzee tracking permit in Kibale
- Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Private vehicle and driver-guide
- 4 nights at luxury lodges, full board
- Park entry fees
- Scheduled flight Kihihi–Entebbe
- Bottled water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Visas
- Drinks at lodges other than water, tea and coffee
- Tips for your guide and lodge staff
- Travel insurance
Good to know
Fitness
Chimp tracking is on mostly level forest trails; the rest is game driving.
Minimum age
12 for chimpanzee tracking.
Best time
June to September and December to February for game drives; chimps are found all year.
Make it longer
Add two nights in Bwindi for gorillas.
Dates & availability
This is a private trip, so it starts on any day you choose. Choose a month to carry it into the quote request.
What every quote includes
- Chimpanzee tracking permit in Kibale
- Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Private vehicle and driver-guide
- 4 nights at luxury lodges, full board
- Park entry fees
Quotes depend on your dates, the size of your group and the lodges you choose. Green-season months are often better value, and Christmas and New Year can carry lodge supplements.
Reviews from this trip
Verified reviews appear here once guests are home.
Questions travellers ask
Can we add gorillas to this safari?
Yes. Two extra nights in Bwindi after Ishasha add a gorilla trek, and the flight home leaves from Kihihi in the same way.
Are the tree-climbing lions guaranteed?
No. They are often found in the fig trees, but sightings depend on where the prides are that day.
How long is the chimp tracking?
Most groups walk for one to three hours in total, including an hour with the chimpanzees.
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Something made for you
Any trip can be lengthened, upgraded or combined across both countries. Send your dates and the number of travellers, and you'll get a costed plan within a day.