5 Days Kibale Forest And Semuliki Wildlife Safari

5 Days Kibale Forest And Semuliki Wildlife Safari

5 Days Kibale Forest And Semuliki Wildlife Safari

This 5 days Kibale Forest and Semuliki Wildlife Safari is a rewarding journey into western Uganda’s rich rainforests, open savannahs and dramatic landscapes along the Albertine Rift. This Uganda safari combines world-class primate experiences with wildlife viewing and cultural encounters in one of Uganda’s most scenic regions. From tracking chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, often called the “Primate Capital of the World”, to exploring the wild and remote Semuliki National Park.

Safari Highlights

Day 1: Transfer from Kampala  to Kibale Forest National Park

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest National Park

Day 3: Transfer from Kibale Forest to Semuliki National Park

Day 4: Semuliki Hot Springs and a Nature walk

Day 5: Return to Kampala

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Kampala  to Kibale Forest National Park

Your safari begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Kampala. After a short briefing, you start the scenic drive westwards towards Kibale Forest National Park. The journey takes about 5 to 6 hours, with stops along the way for refreshments, photos, and lunch.

On arrival in the Kibale area in the afternoon, you check in at your lodge and enjoy some time to relax. If time allows, you may take a short nature walk around the lodge to enjoy the peaceful forest atmosphere.

  • Meal plan: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest National Park

After an early breakfast, you head to the park headquarters for a briefing before your chimpanzee trekking experience. Kibale Forest is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species, making it one of the best places in Africa to see chimpanzees in the wild.

The trek will last about 2 to 4 hours, depending on the movement of the chimpanzees. As you walk through the forest with experienced guides, you may spot red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and a variety of forest birds. Once you find the chimpanzees, you will be granted one hour to spend with them while observing how they feed, play, groom, and more.

After the trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch and rest. In the afternoon, you may choose to visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run project known for birdlife, primates, and cultural stories from local guides. You will spend about 2 to 3 hours there, and then you will get back to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.

  • Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Transfer from Kibale Forest to Semuliki National Park

After breakfast, you will depart Kibale Forest and drive northwards to Semuliki National Park. The drive takes about 3 to 4 hours. Along the way, you will enjoy views of the Rwenzori Mountains rising dramatically in the distance.

You will arrive at your lodge near Semuliki in time for lunch. In the afternoon, you will head out for a relaxed game drive in the Semuliki Wildlife Reserve. This area is known for its open savannah plains and is home to elephants, Uganda kob, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, and occasionally lions and leopards. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge in the evening to enjoy dinner and a night’s rest.

  • Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Semuliki Hot Springs and a Nature walk

After breakfast at the lodge, you will set out to explore more of Semuliki National Park. You will have a guided walk to the Sempaya Hot Springs. The guides will share interesting stories about the local cultures and how the hot springs are traditionally used.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a guided nature walk. Semuliki’s forest is home to several primate species, including black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, and vervet monkeys. You will return to the lodge in the late afternoon for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

  • Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Semuliki Hot spring
Semuliki Hot spring

Day 5: Return to Kampala

Early morning breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge. The guide will pick you up from the lodge, and you will start the journey back to Kampala. The journey will take about 6 to 7 hours. You will have a stopover for lunch and then proceed to Kampala, followed by a drop-off at a hotel of your choice, marking the end of the safari.

  • Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch

End of the 5 Days Kibale Forest And Semuliki Wildlife Safari

Safari Includes

  • Pick-up and drop off
  • 4 x 4 safari vehicle
  • Professional English-speaking driver guide
  • Park entrance fees
  • Chimpanzee trekking permit
  • All activities fees as per the itinerary
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Bottled drinking water during the safari

Safari excludes

  • Tips and gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Visa fees
  • Air ticket fees
  • Life insurance
  • Personal expenses
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