Self drive Chimpanzee Tour in Uganda – Kyaninga Lodge

3 Day Self Drive Tour to Kyaninga Lodge in Uganda

If you want to see chimpanzees in Uganda, Kibale National Park is the number 1 destination for this activity. It is located in the western part of Uganda, about 315km from Kampala capital.

Kibale National Park is home to 13 primate species which include chimpanzees, Baboons, Colobus monkeys, Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, Red-tailed monkeys, Blue monkeys, Galagoes and many others.

The major tourist activities include chimpanzee tracking, Chimpanzee habituation Experience, bird watching, and nature walk among others. To explore Kibale National Park, one requires a minimum of 3 days / 2 nights. One of the best places to stay while on a safari to Kibale National Park is Kyaninga lodge, a 5-star accommodation unit near the Kibale forest.

About Kyaninga Lodge

Kyaninga Lodge is one of the luxury accommodations in Kibale forest national park in Uganda. Kyaninga is famous for offering excellent services to world standards. The Lodge is situated against a stunning backdrop of Lake Kyaninga and the legendary Mountains of the Moon.

The exceptional design and sheer scale of the main lodge are immediately apparent from the moment one crests the hill and Kyaninga Lodge comes into view. Kyaninga Lodge is a home away from home and once inside, the lodge offers comfortable seating areas set around an imposing double-sided open fireplace where one can enjoy a cozy evening over a good book, a board game, or a drink from the bar.

Kyaninga Lodge also contains the restaurant where delicious meals compete with stunning views on both sides. Two raised galleries offer intimate spaces for those wishing to absorb the panorama in a more private setting. On the lakeside, the main lodge leads to two decks furnished with comfortable loungers, while steps were hewn from local volcanic rock lead down to the swimming pool and on to two lawned terraces overlooking the deep blue water and primeval forest of Lake Kyaninga itself.

Kyaninga Lodge has 8 luxury cottages built on platforms and set apart to offer privacy and tranquility. Access to the cottages from the main lodge is via a raised wooden walkway. Other facilities here include Airport Shuttle Service, Swimming Pool, and Fireplace among others.

Getting There

Kibale National Park / Kyaninga Lodge can be accessed by road via Mubende. Another route is via Mbarara and crosses the Equator. By Air, you can flight to Kasese Airstrip. Aero Link Uganda has daily scheduled flights from Entebbe Airstrip. However, you should organize ground transportation from the airstrip to the lodge, or you can hire a car in Kampala or Kasese and drive your self. Car rental in Uganda is now very popular and this has led to the rapid development of self-drive adventures.

Proposed Itinerary for 3 days Uganda tour

Day 1: Leave Kampala in the morning, transfer to Kibale Forest, lunch in Fort Portal Town, check-in Kyaninga lodge, relax as you wait for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Half-day chimpanzee tracking and afternoon nature walk (To Bigodi swamps, or nearby communities or Crater Lakes region), Or we go for chimpanzee habituation experience (Full day with chimps) all meals and overnight Kyaninga lodge.

Day3: Reserved for departure

The average cost for 2 persons is US$950 per person including 2 nights at Kyaninga lodge, private transportation in a 4wd safari vehicle, services of a professional English speaking driver/tour guide, all meals, and bottled mineral water for refreshment, chimpanzee tracking permits for US$150 each.