4 Days Kibale national park and Semiliki national park : This 4 Days tour package to both Kibale National Park and Semuliki Forest National Park starts with a visit to Kibale Forest National park, one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of natural rain forests in Uganda. The park protects up to a total of 70 mammal species and 13 species of primates including the endangered chimpanzees. Kibale national park is also Africa’s best destination of chimpanzee trekking with 99% chances of seeing the wild chimpanzees. After tracking chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, the trip 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 close to Uganda-Congo. Semuliki is best known as a home of 2 hot springs – Female and male hot springs. While here, you will also enjoy a nature walk in the forest and find some birds; a game drive is also possible when at Semuliki national park.
Safari highlights
- Day 1: Transfer to Kibale national park – Bigodi swamp walk
- Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Semiliki national reserve
- Day 3: Hot springs visit and afternoon walk – Semuliki national reserve
- Day 4: Transfer to Kampala
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Kibale national park – Bigodi swamp walk
Depending on your location in Kampala/Entebbe, you will meet with your safari guide and thereafter embark on your journey to Kabale national park. This park is Africa’s best primates’ destination with about 13 different primates’ species including the chimpanzees. The park is located in the western part of Uganda taking about 5-6 hours’ drive on the road with en-route stop in Fort portal town for your lunch. This drive is exciting with great views of the countryside and the people.
Connect to visit Bigodi swamp, the swamp has been recognised to host about 138 bird species and one can be able to see over 50 birds a day. Several primates can also be spotted in the wetland including the black and white Colobus monkeys, Blue Grey Cheeked, Ververt monkeys, Red Colobus monkeys to mention a few. Thereafter, transfer to your booked lodge for check-in, have dinner and overnight.
- Luxury option: Kyaninga Lodge/Ndali Lodge
- Mid-range option: Chimpanzee Guesthouse
- Budget option: Isunga Lodge/Rweteera Guesthouse
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Semiliki national park
After your breakfast, connect to the park headquarters with your trekking gears and water. Meet with other trekkers and gather for a briefing from the park officials where you will be guided on the expectations of Chimpanzee trekking. Thereafter, in only a group of 12 people and ranger guides/researchers, set off for Chimpanzee trekking. The search may take 2-5 hours depending on their location. The chimpanzees in Kibale are quite easier to find and you will be allowed to spend 1 hour with them on finding them.
After trekking, meet your safari guide; connect back to the lodge, check-out after having lunch to proceed to Semiliki national park. It’s a 2-3 hours’ drive to connect to Semiliki. Arrive in the evening and connect to your booked lodge for dinner and overnight.
- Luxury option: Semiliki Safari Lodge
- Mid-range option: Ntoroko Game Lodge
- Budget option: Bugama Cottages
Day 3: Hot springs walk and nature walk/game drive
On the 3rd day of your 4 Days Kibale national park and Semiliki national park, After your breakfast, drive to visit Sempaya hot springs which are the main attractions of Semuliki national park. These hot springs are the largest in Uganda, divided into female and male however they both have a geyser that shoots up from 8 meters holes with a high temperature of up to 100 degrees Celsius. The strength and hotness of the springs are amazing as one can boil eggs and in few minutes, it is ready to eat. The community around the park also visit the springs to perform rituals basin on their beliefs. Return to the lodge for your lunch.
Later afternoon, connect for nature walk in the forest to sight some available birds including the Albertine birds. Also enjoy and evening game drive to find some of the 53 animal species found in the park such as Bush babies, Elephants, Buffaloes, the pygmy scaly-tailed flying squirrel, African Civet o mention a few. Return to your lodge for overnight
Day 4: Transfer to Kampala
After breakfast, check-out of the lodge and embark on your journey back to Kampala/Entebbe. It’s a 7-8 hours’ drive from Semiliki national park to Kampala with en-route lunch. You will be dropped off a location you advise in Kampala be dropped at Entebbe airport for your departure flight back home from Uganda Safaris Tours.