4 Days Kibale and Semliki Safari
4 Days Kibale and Semliki Safari safari begins with a visit to Kibale Forest National Park, one of Uganda’s most beautiful and diverse tracts of natural rain forests. The park protects up to 70 mammal species and 13 primate species, including endangered chimps.
Kibale National Park is also Africa’s best chimp trekking destination, with a 99% chance of seeing wild chimps. Following the tracking of chimps in Kibale Forest, the journey continues to Semuliki national park/Semuliki national reserve, a park that sprawls across the floor of the Semliki Valley on the remote western side of the Rwenzori near Uganda-Congo. Semuliki is best known for being the location of two hot springs, the female and male hot springs. While visiting Semuliki National Park, you can also take a nature walk through the forest and look for birds; a game drive is also an option.
4 Days Kibale and Semliki Safari Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Kibale National Park - Bigodi Swamp Walk
Depending on your location in Kampala/Entebbe, you will meet your safari guide and then depart for Kibale National Park. With about 13 different primate species, including chimps, this park is Africa’s best primate destination. The park is located in western Uganda and takes about 5-6 hours to reach by road, with a lunch stop in Fort Portal town along the way. This is an exciting drive with beautiful views of the countryside and people.
Connect to visit Bigodi swamp, which has been recognized to host approximately 138 bird species and where one can see over 50 birds per day. Several primates, including black and white Colobus monkeys, Blue Grey Cheeked, Ververt monkeys, and Red Colobus monkeys, can also be seen in the wetland. After that, transfer to your reserved lodge for check-in, dinner, and overnight at Kyaninga Lodge or Ndali Lodge.
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Semiliki National Park
Connect to the park headquarters with your trekking gear and water after breakfast. Gather with other trekkers for a briefing from park officials, during which you will be guided on the expectations of Chimpanzee trekking. Following that, a group of 12 people, including ranger guides/researchers, set out for Chimpanzee trekking. Depending on their location, the search could last 2-5 hours. The chimps in Kibale are much easier to find, and you will have an hour with them after locating them.
After trekking, meet your safari guide; return to the lodge; and check out after lunch to continue to Semiliki National Park. It takes about 2-3 hours to get to Semiliki. Arrive in the evening and transfer to your reserved lodge for dinner and overnight at Semiliki Safari Lodge as a luxurious option.
Day 3: Visit hot springs and nature walk/game drive
After breakfast, drive to Sempaya hot springs, one of Semuliki National Park’s main attractions. These are Uganda’s largest hot springs, divided into female and male sections, but they both have a geyser that shoots up from 8-meter holes at temperatures of up to 100 degrees Celsius. The strength and hotness of the springs are incredible, as one can boil eggs and have them ready to eat in a matter of minutes. The surrounding community also visits the springs to perform rituals based on their beliefs. Lunch will be served at the lodge.
Later in the afternoon, join a nature walk in the forest to see some of the available birds, including Albertine birds. Enjoy an evening game drive to see some of the park’s 53 animal species, which include Bush babies, Elephants, Buffaloes, the pygmy scaly-tailed flying squirrel, and the African Civet, to name a few. Return to your lodge to spend the night.
Day 4: Transfer to Kampala
This is the last day of your 4 Days Kibale and Semliki Safari. Check out of the lodge after breakfast and begin your journey back to Kampala/Entebbe. The drive from Semiliki National Park to Kampala takes about 7-8 hours, with a lunch break along the way. You will be dropped off at a location you specify in Kampala before being driven to Entebbe Airport for your return flight home. This marks the end of your 4 Days Kibale and Semliki Safari.
