The 5 days Semuliki and Kibale chimpanzee safari takes you to two (2) spectacular Uganda National Parks. This safari to Uganda combines a visit to Semuliki National Park and Kibale National Park. During your Semuliki and Kibale chimpanzee safari, you will take a game safari drive into the home of forest elephants and buffaloes which are smaller versions of their savannah-dwelling relatives. You will also have a chance to visit the famous Sempaya hot springs, which are Semuliki’s most famous attraction.
Visit Kibale National Park for a chimpanzee habituation safari, vanilla farm tour and a guided nature walk to Bigodi Wetland for an opportunity to see a wide range of flora and fauna.
Semuliki Kibale Chimpanzee Safari Itinerary:
Day 1: Kampala – Semuliki National park
Leave Kampala after breakfast for the fascinating drive through papyrus swamps and thick jungle of the Nile Delta to Semuliki National Park just above the mighty Rwenzori Mountain ranges. Get your afternoon lunch in Fort Portal and get ready to take on a guided walk through the crater lakes area and a visit to ‘Amabeere Ga Nyinamwiru‘ caves.
Proceed to Semuliki National Park. This is a home to 53 mammals of which 27 are large mammals. 11 species are endemic to the park, including the pygmy antelopes and the two flying squirrel species. It is also home to the peculiar water chevrotain, known as the ‘fanged deer’.
Dinner and overnight stay at Semuliki Safari Lodge (high-end facility) or Ntoroko Game Lodge (mid-range facility). Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.
Optional Activity: Night game drive for the big cats.
Day 2: Wildlife Tour in Semuliki National Park
Morning after your breakfast is dedicated for a game drive, a park that is home to forest elephants and buffaloes which are smaller versions of their savannah-dwelling relatives. It is also a home to over 53 mammals of which 27 are large mammals. 11 species are endemic to the park including the pygmy antelopes and two flying squirrel species. It is also home to the peculiar water chevrotain, known as the ‘fanged deer’.
Afternoon will be for a boat ride along Lake Albert for an amazing birding opportunity. Look out for the Toro Olive Greenbul, Mountain Greenbul, Yellow-throated Nicator, Western Nicator, Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike and Black Saw-wing among others.
Dinner and overnight stay at Semuliki Safari Lodge (high-end facility) or Ntoroko Game Lodge (mid-range facility). Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3: Semuliki – Kibale National Park – Part of Semuliki Kibale Chimpanzee Safari
After your breakfast, visit the famous Sempaya hot springs of Semuliki National Park. Sempaya Hot Springs are Semuliki’s most famous attraction. The male spring, known as ‘Bintente’, measures 12m in diameter and is set in a lush swampy clearing.
The female spring ‘Nyasimbi‘, meaning ‘the female ancestors’, is a boiling geyser (103°C) which spurts bubbling water and steam up to two meters high. The steam cloud can be seen from as far as 2km away. Local people used to cook their food in these boiling pools.
Thereafter drive to Kibale National Park just under the Rwenzori Mountains, for an afternoon Vanilla Farm tour around Ndali Lodge.
Meals and overnight stay at Ndali Lodge (luxury facility), in a stunning location overlooking a dramatic crater lake and the fabled ‘Mountains of the Moon’. Or Primate Lodge, Forest Cottages (mid-range facility). Meal Plan: L & D.
Other Optional Activities – Part of Semuliki Kibale Chimpanzee Safari:
- Tea Estate Walk
- Canoe ride on crater lakes
- cycling around the craters
- Community and orphanage centre visit
Day 4: Kibale Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
Today is dedicated for chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale National Park. Start the day with an early morning breakfast and packed lunch as you set off into the forest before dawn breaks. You will meet your guide and set off to where the chimpanzees built nests the night before. Dawn is just breaking and the chimpanzee community you are going to be with for the rest of the day is rising from their sleep in the nests.
Your day will be full, so your camera may fill up with quality pictures of chimpanzees. You will get to learn to identify the chimpanzees as individuals by their markings, sometimes scars and other unique features that make them stand apart from rest. Besides everything described, there are the most colorful butterflies, plants and trees that will amaze you because of the awesome forest setting.
Meals and overnight stay at Kyaninga Lodge (luxury facility), in a stunning location overlooking a dramatic crater lake and the fabled ‘Mountains of the Moon’. Or Primate Lodge, Forest Cottages (mid-range facility). Meal Plan: B, L, D.
Day 5: Kibale National Park – Kampala
Morning visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary from where you will take on a guided walk around the swamp. This walk will provide you with the opportunity to see a wide range of flora and fauna. View a variety of butterflies, birds and other insects. Thereafter drive back to Kampala or Entebbe with lunch enroute. Meal plan B & L end of service
Semuliki Kibale Chimpanzee Safari Inclusions and Exclusions:
Includes
- Airport transfers on the last day
- Transportation by a 4wd safari Land Cruiser
- Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
- Park fees,
- Hot springs visit
- Game drive Semuliki park
- A boat ride along Lake Albert
- Vanilla Farm tour
- Kibale Chimpanzee Habituation Permit
- Bigodi guided Nature walk
- Services of English speaking Driver/guide.
- En route lunches
Excludes
- Expenses of personal nature like; visa, drinks, laundry, tips to local guides, telephone, porter fee while trekking, personal insurance, and tobacco.