Chimpanzee Trekking Adventure: Experiencing Uganda's Wildlife in Kibale Forest & Bigodi Sanctuary
How a solo traveler meets the "locals" on a chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest and a visit to the Bigodi Wetlands
My alarm went off at 5:30 a.m.—early, yes, but Uganda’s mornings feel magical enough to make it worth it. After quickly dressing in layers (the forest mornings are surprisingly chilly), I enjoyed a simple but hearty breakfast at Kibale Forest Camp—fresh pineapple and bananas, warm toast with local honey, eggs scrambled with veggies, and steaming-hot Ugandan coffee (the elixir of life!). Honestly, I needed every bite, knowing I’d be trekking through dense forest in just an hour.
By 7:00, I met my guide at the Kibale Forest National Park visitor center, where we got a quick briefing on how to respectfully observe the chimpanzees. With a group of about six others, we set off into the forest, our eyes scanning the thick greenery above and around us.
The first surprise? Just how alive the forest was—birds singing, insects humming, and distant primate calls echoing through the canopy. About 45 minutes into the trek, our guide pointed upwards, whispering urgently. There, just above, was our first chimpanzee, casually grooming himself as though he hadn’t noticed a small crowd gathering below. Over the next two hours, we spotted several more—playing, grooming each other, and calling out with startlingly loud cries that reverberated through the trees. It felt surreal watching creatures so closely related to us going about their daily lives completely unaffected by our presence.
Chimpanzees weren’t the only stars. The forest showed us glimpses of other primates like red colobus and black-and-white colobus monkeys gracefully leaping from branch to branch. We saw dazzling butterflies, vividly colored birds (including the striking Great Blue Turaco), and an impressive variety of orchids and plants I’d never even heard of. The entire trek lasted nearly three and a half hours but felt shorter because there was always something fascinating to see.
After returning to the visitor center, I hopped onto a motorcycle taxi—a boda boda—which whisked me down the bumpy dirt road to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, just fifteen minutes away. We bounced along dirt paths past tiny villages, smiling children waving at every turn.
My afternoon walk through Bigodi was unexpectedly peaceful after the thrill of chimpanzee tracking. Led by a knowledgeable local guide from the community initiative, we strolled along raised wooden boardwalks and dirt trails winding through papyrus-filled marshes and tall grasses. Bigodi is a bird-lover’s paradise—I spotted shimmering kingfishers, jewel-toned sunbirds, and even glimpsed a shy papyrus gonolek darting through the reeds. Another surprise: how abundant monkeys were here too, especially the playful gray-cheeked mangabeys and vervet monkeys casually swinging by us without concern.
I spent about two relaxing hours wandering this sanctuary, enjoying how the community has successfully preserved the habitat while supporting local livelihoods. It felt good to be part of sustainable tourism.
Back at Kibale Forest Camp by about 4:00 p.m., I rinsed away the day’s adventure with a warm shower and spent some quiet time on my veranda, journaling and sipping tea while soaking in the sounds of the forest.
Dinner at the camp was simple yet delicious—a warming pumpkin soup, followed by grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, fresh sautéed veggies, and perfectly ripe avocado salad. I chatted easily with fellow travelers at the communal table, all sharing stories from our day’s explorations. By the time dessert—sweet slices of fresh mango and pineapple—was served, night had fallen, and the sounds of the forest once again filled the air.
Heading to bed early, tired but content, I remember thinking this was exactly the kind of travel day that makes you feel fully alive, deeply connected to nature, and grateful for every minute spent out exploring the world.
Read more about my 10-day adventure in Uganda HERE.