6 days/ 5 nights – Semuliki national park.

• Uganda safaris
• Uganda Wildlife tours

This 6 days trip takes you to the Southwestern part of Uganda bordering Congo to visit Semuliki Valley National park which is an extension of the ituri tropical rainforest of Congo – a lowland rain forest. The park is famous for the Sempaya hot springs as its major attraction but tourists also enjoy other activities like chimpanzee tracking, nature walk among others.

What a beautiful way it is to create memories during your stay in Uganda!

SUMMARIZED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International airport. Overnight in Entebbe.

Day 2: Meet your safari guide and drive to Semuliki national park.

Day 3: Morning nature walk and afternoon visit to Sempaya hot springs.

Day 4: Morning Chimpanzee tracking. Afternoon Game drive.

Day 5:  Community walk and experience including Nyero rock paintings visit.

Day 6: Drive back to Entebbe for your international departure flight. End of services

Price inclusions

• Safari vehicle and guide.
• Accommodation in the itinerary
• Activities in the itinerary
• All meals and house drinks while in the park at the Lodge.
• Bed and breakfast in city hotels
• Park entrance

Price exclusions

• Additional activities
• Premium drinks
• Travel insurance
• Visas

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International airport and transfer to your accommodation for an overnight.

Meet your safari guide and transfer to Karibu Guest House, located just a 10-minute drive from Entebbe International Airport, directly across from Uganda’s presidential residence. This charming guest house is designed to provide an exclusive and personalized stay, featuring a limited number of rooms to ensure individual attention. Enjoy complimentary internet access, a refreshing swimming pool, and spa and massage facilities, all set in a tranquil environment surrounded by lush greenery. Karibu Guest House is the perfect place to unwind before your adventure begins.

Overnight at Karibu Guest House.

Day 2: Meet your safari guide and drive to Semuliki national park.

Meet your safari guide at Karibu Guest House and transfer to Semuliki National Park.

Semuliki National Park, which spans 220 square kilometers, is located in the Western region of Uganda, in the Bundibugyo district, between the Ituri Mountains and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Park is easily accessible from Fort Portal, about a 90-minute drive away plus its proximity to Kibale National Park makes it a perfect combination of the Hot springs and Chimp trekking itinerary.

The now Semuliki National Park was a Forest reserve in the start until 1993 when it was gazetted as a National Park and based on the wildlife growth statistics, the graph indicates a rising curve which has made the park one of the great tourism spots in Uganda.

Possible mammal sightings include different monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons’ species like De Brazza’s monkey, Vervet monkey, olive baboons, guereza colobus and night primates like pattos and galagos.

Dinner and overnight at the Semuliki River Lodge.

Enjoy an overnight stay at Semuliki River Lodge, a charming and intimate retreat located within the park. As the only lodge located inside the Park, it offers a unique experience with various accommodations, including suites and luxury tents, each featuring exclusive verandas and day beds.

Relax in the inviting atmosphere of the main lodge, where you can sip tea or coffee under the spacious thatched roof, or take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool. Semuliki River Lodge is the perfect base for exploring the beauty of the reserve and immersing yourself in nature.

Day 3: Morning nature walk and afternoon visit to Sempaya hot springs.

To fully appreciate the diverse flora and fauna, UWA offers several well-marked trails. Choose from the 8 km Sempaya nature trail, the 11 km Red Monkey track, or the 13 km Kirumia hiking trail. These walks, lasting 3 to 4 hours, provide a chance to hear the forest’s sounds and spot native wildlife. A walking stick can help clear the path, and for those wanting an overnight adventure, camping gear is recommended.

Enjoy your lunch and head out for the exhilarating experience of the Sempaya hot springs.

Semuliki National Park is renowned for its two mesmerizing hot springs, each submerged in captivating local beliefs that contrast with scientific explanations. The male spring, known as Bintene, spans approximately 12 meters in diameter, while the female spring, called Nyasimbi, erupts like a geyser, releasing jets of hot water and steam from deep within the earth. The steam can be spotted from nearly a kilometer away, and the hot waters are warm enough to cook eggs and Matoke. Visitors can admire these natural wonders from a bridge constructed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

Dinner and overnight at Semuliki River lodge.

Day 4: Morning Chimpanzee tracking. Afternoon Game drive in Semuliki National Park.

Begin your chimpanzee tracking adventure at the park headquarters, where ranger guides will brief you on essential guidelines. Trek into the forest, where you’ll learn about the habits of these fascinating primates, which live in groups of 35 to 40. Witness their social behaviors, from nut-cracking to tree-swinging, and enjoy the chance to observe them nurturing their young and building nests.

Return to the lodge for lunch and later head out for the Game drive.

Embark on an exhilarating game drive through the park’s savannah terrain, where you can seek out an array of wildlife. Semuliki is home to over 52 mammal species, including elephants, buffalo, and Uganda kobs. Game drives can be enjoyed in the morning or evening, tailored to your preferences.

Dinner and overnight at Semuliki River lodge.

Day 5:  Morning at leisure. Afternoon Community walk and experience.

Enjoy a lazy morning around the lodge, have lunch and later head out to the community. Engage with the rich cultures of the four tribes residing near the park: the Batwa, Bakonjo, Bamba, and Batuku. Take a community walk through nearby villages, with optional activities such as visiting a traditional home, an orphanage, or a local school. You can also experience banana brewing demonstrations and meet traditional healers. These walks, lasting three to four hours, can be customized to suit your interests.

Dinner and overnight at the Semuliki River Lodge.

Day 6: Drive back to Entebbe for your international departure flight.

End of services