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Chimp Trek Uganda (Kibale Forest) 🇺🇬 | The Moment We Found Them

Chimpanzees, Tea Fields, and the Source of the Nile

Uganda – Part 3 of Our Pearl of Africa Journey

Welcome back to Track Us Down. If you’re new here, we’re Monique and Doug. Our channel — and our life — is all about retiring early, moving abroad, and intentionally living what we call a better second half of life.

Over the past few videos, we’ve been sharing our journey through Uganda, often called the Pearl of Africa. We were first introduced to the vibrant chaos of Kampala, then experienced a once-in-a-lifetime trek to see mountain gorillas in the wild. In this third chapter of our Uganda adventure, we continued deeper into the country — trekking for chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest and ending at the very source of the Nile in Jinja.

A Night in the Middle of Nowhere

Our journey took us to Craters Campsite and Resort, a simple, remote stop surrounded by small villages and countryside. This is very much “real Uganda” — basic, quiet, and far from the tourist trail.

We’re traveling with G Adventures, and this tour is designed as a participation camping experience. Each night includes a tent, but for an additional $50 USD, we upgraded to a private room with our own bathroom. The accommodations were modest, but comfortable — and being able to shower and sleep indoors before an early morning trek felt like a worthwhile upgrade.

That evening, dinner was prepared over the fire and shared as a group. Sitting together under the stars, surrounded by villages and forest, felt like a fitting way to prepare for what lay ahead. With an early 5:45 a.m. departure, we turned in early, ready for the jungle.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kalinzu Forest

The next morning, we headed toward Kalinzu Forest, beginning our chimpanzee trek at the Ankole Tea Plantation. The contrast was striking — endless rows of tea plants framing the edge of dense jungle. Interestingly, the tea fields serve a practical purpose: animals don’t eat the tea leaves, so the plantations form a natural buffer between wildlife and surrounding farmland.

As we entered the forest, we were accompanied by an armed guard — a reminder that we were close to the Congolese border. Uganda itself feels safe and welcoming, but this region takes extra precautions for visitors.

Chimpanzee trekking is a different experience from gorilla trekking. It’s more about listening than looking — following the sounds of the forest, learning to distinguish the calls of males and females, and watching for movement high in the trees. We learned about chimp behaviors, from how they use sticks to gather ants to how social and vocal they are as a family.

Finding the chimpanzees after hiking through the thick jungle was incredibly rewarding. Being immersed in the forest itself was just as memorable as the sightings — raw, green, and alive in every direction.

Safari Tents and Open-Air Living

That evening, we arrived at our next accommodation — a self-contained safari tent overlooking sweeping landscapes that felt reminiscent of Uganda’s version of the Serengeti. This was outdoor living at its best: a proper bed inside a wood-framed tent and an outdoor bathroom setup that let you shower surrounded by nature.

It was cozy, peaceful, and surprisingly comfortable — another reminder that adventure travel doesn’t have to mean sacrificing sleep.

Jinja and the Source of the Nile

From the jungle, we traveled to Jinja, where we spent two nights near Lake Victoria — the official source of the Nile. Standing there, it’s hard to fully grasp that this calm stretch of water begins a river that flows all the way to Egypt.

One morning, we rented kayaks and paddled out onto the Nile itself. It was quiet, beautiful, and surreal. After days of trekking and travel, floating on the river felt like a perfect change of pace.

And yes — wildlife remains unpredictable. Let’s just say that monkeys don’t always respect personal space.

After a full day on the water, we capped it off with a cold Nile beer on the Nile — one of those small moments that sticks with you.

Saying Goodbye to G Adventures

This marked the end of our time with G Adventures, who took us from Kampala to the gorillas, through chimpanzee territory, and finally to Jinja. Over nine days, we saw an incredible cross-section of Uganda — wildlife, landscapes, villages, and everyday life.

But our journey wasn’t over yet.

Next, we head back to Kampala for a night of rest before setting off on a new adventure — rhino trekking and safari in search of the Big Five, followed by Murchison Falls.

Thank you for following along on this part of our Uganda journey. If you’re curious about what it’s really like to travel through Africa for the first time — the beauty, the challenges, and the unforgettable moments — we hope this gave you a genuine glimpse.

As always, check back in and Track Us Down.

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Chimp Trek Uganda (Kibale Forest) 🇺🇬 | The Moment We Found Them

Chimpanzees, Tea Fields, and the Source of the Nile

Uganda – Part 3 of Our Pearl of Africa Journey

A Night in the Middle of Nowhere

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kalinzu Forest

Safari Tents and Open-Air Living

Jinja and the Source of the Nile

Saying Goodbye to G Adventures

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💡 Trusted Links

🌐 Online Consultation

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