4 Days Chimpanzee Tracking in Semuliki National Park
4 Days Chimpanzee Tracking in Semuliki National Park: Semuliki national park in Uganda sprawls across the floor of the Semuliki Valley on the remote, western side of the Rwenzori Mountains. The national park is dominated by the easternmost extension of the great Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin. These 4 days Uganda safari to Semuliki national park will give an opportunity to see some of the habituated chimpanzees in the park’s forests, as well as hike to the famous Sempaya hot springs.
Highlights of the 4 days Chimpanzee Tracking in Semuliki National Park.
- Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to Semuliki National Park.
- Day 2: Hike to Sempaya Hot Springs and Evening Nature Walk/Birding.
- Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking.
- Day 4: Morning game drive and Transfer back to Kampala.
Detailed Itinerary for 4 Days Chimpanzee Tracking in Semuliki National Park.
Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to Semuliki National Park.
Pickup & Transfer to Semuliki: Your guide/driver will pick you up from your designated pickup location either in Kampala city or upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport. The scenic drive to Semuliki national park provides a glorious view of the region’s many crater lakes. It is about a 7 to 8 hour drive from Kampala city to the national park and approximately a 9 hour drive from Entebbe airport. You will have a few stopovers for lunch, refreshments and to ease yourself. Upon your arrival in the park, check into your accommodation facility and relax for the rest of the evening.
Night Game Drive: After dinner, depart for a nighttime game drive to search for unusual nocturnal creatures such as the white-tailed mongoose, pennant winged nightjar, hyena, leopard and more!
Drive back to your lodge for a good night’s sleep.
Day 2: Hike to Sempaya Hot Springs and Evening Nature Walk/Birding.
Hike to Sempaya Hot Springs: Have a hearty breakfast at your lodge and head out for a guided hike to Sempaya hot springs. Spend a relaxed morning at the hot springs, where you will get to learn how to prepare and cook matooke (green plantain), and luwombo (steamed meat wrapped in banana leaves). You can also boil some eggs in the hot springs, in case you carried some with you. Enjoy the tasty results washed down with a chilled drink. Later head back to your lodge for lunch and rest for the afternoon.
Afternoon Boat Cruise: Later in the afternoon, you will take a private boat ride on the Semuliki River where you will have an opportunity to view wildlife such as hippos, elephants, and a variety of birds, including the Rare Shoebill stork.
Evening Nature Walk/birding (Optional): Later in the evening, take an evening nature walk or birding tour in the park if you wish. The Kirumia trail is a 13km long trail which takes visitors through the heart of the forest and climaxes at Semuliki River. Hiking activities on this trail start at 8am and take 8 hours to and from. It is ideal for birders. Another trail that visitors can use is the Red monkey track, which is 11km long and takes visitors through the park’s eastern border to the Semuliki River. Visitors hiking this trail are rewarded with sights of primates such as; the red-tailed monkeys, and the rare DeBrazza’s monkeys. Both activities are optional so please do inform us in advance if you wish to include any of the activities in your itinerary.
Later drive back to your lodge for dinner and an overnight.
Day 3: Chimp Tracking.
Chimpanzee Tracking: Start your day with a heart-felt breakfast from your lodge. Meet up with your guide and later head out to the park headquarters where you will begin your chimpanzee trekking activity from. Track chimpanzees at dawn as they leave their nests. As you search for these fascinating primates, look out for a wonderful variety of birds, including the Ibis, eagles, hawks, goshawks, hornbills and honey guides.
Return for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing at your lodge or embarking on a forest walk or cultural tour to one of the communities neighboring the national park.
Day 4: Morning Game Drive and Transfer back to Kampala.
Morning game drive: Wake up at leisure and have breakfast at your lodge. Check out of your lodge and head out for a morning game drive in the national park. During your game drive safari, you will sight spectacular wildlife in the park such as; elephants, Sitatunga, potto, hippos, giraffes, zebra, antelopes and crocodiles to mention but a few. You are also luckily to spot the pygmy antelope and the two flying squirrel which are endemic to the national park.
Transfer back to Kampala: Have lunch and drive back to Kampala where upon your arrival in the city, you can take a short tour of the city if time allows. Later have your guide/driver drop you off at any hotel of your choice in Kampala city or directly at Entebbe airport depending on your departure flight schedule. End of Tour.
