3 Days Semuliki Guided Safari - Sempaya Hot Springs, Chimps

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3 Days Semuliki National Park Safari Overview

3 Days Semuliki Safari takes you to one of Uganda’s less visited national parks to explore the Sempaya hot springs, go chimpanzee tracking and go game viewing.

Semuliki National Park sprawls at the edge of the great Ituri forest bordering Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the remote western side of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges in Bundibugyo District. It is a perfect destination for bird watching on a Uganda safari and is thus dubbed the birder’s haven and home to the largest hot springs in Uganda. In fact, the hot springs are the signature feature that attracts travelers to this park while on a Uganda safari.

This 3 days Semuliki National Park safari presents a trekking excursion to the iconic Sempaya Hot Springs, tracking the elusive chimpanzees in the Ituri Forest, taking a boat ride on Lake Albert to spot some aquatic life, and embarking on a game drive to view some of the resident game in this savannah park.

Quick Safari Details

Country: Uganda.

Departure/End City: Entebbe/Kampala.

Destination: Semuliki National Park.

Group Type: Private.

Number of People: Tailored.

Availability: Year-Round.

Dates: Open.

Duration: 3 Days.

Cancellation Policy: Up to 90 days.

Activities: Visiting the Sempaya hot springs, Chimpanzee tracking and excellent game viewing.

Price: Request a quote.

Safari Highlights

You will be visiting the hot springs.
You will have a guided nature walk around the hot springs.
Meet, explore, and learn from the local communities.
Support sustainable tourism initiatives.

3 Days Semuliki National Park Safari Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Semuliki National Park.

After an early breakfast, your safari guide will pick you up from your lodge in Kampala or Entebbe and embark on a scenic road trip to Semuliki National Park. You will have a lunch break in Fort Portal and then take on a fascinating guided walk at the crater lakes, visit the Amabeere Ga Nyinamwiru caves, and visit the Nyakasura waterfalls.

Later, sit back and enjoy the striking landscape vistas of western Uganda as you drive through the Albertine rift valley to Bundibugyo town. You will proceed to Semuliki National Park and immediately check in at your reserved lodge on arrival. You will embark on a night game drive, the only one of its kind in Uganda, and you will spot slender and white-tailed mongoose, serval cats, and diminutive nightjars.

Travel time: Approx. 7 to 8 hours.

Accommodations and meals:

Luxury: Semuliki Safari Lodge.
Mid-range: Ntoroko Game Lodge.
Budget: Bumaga Cottage.

Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2: All Day activities - Sempaya hot springs.

You will have a 6.30 a.m. breakfast and transfer to the headquarters for registration and a safety briefing. After the briefing, you will be led into the forest to search for a troop of habituated chimpanzees. You will see plenty of wildlife unique to the park. This is an extension of the Ituri Forest of the Congo and thus contains many central African migratory birds, plants, and animal species that are not found in other parks in Uganda.

Finding the chimps may not be guaranteed because they move widely, from the forest to the savannah, as they search for food. The rangers keep monitoring their movements and will do their best. After finding them, you will be allowed one hour to observe them from a safe distance of 10 meters. The trek also offers wonderful views of the Semuliki escarpment and the lush rift valley landscape. You will return to the lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, make sure that you are at the trailhead early enough for another briefing session. This time, it’s trekking the Sempaya Hot Springs. The springs eject boiling geysers 2 meters into the air. The pool boils at a high temperature of about 103^oC and to experiment, you will probably place eggs or bananas in the boiling water, and indeed, within 10 minutes they’ll be ready to eat. The trek lasts about 2 hours and then you will retire to the lodge.

Day 3: Back to Kampala.

Have a quick cup of tea and embark on a morning game drive in the Toro-Semuliki wildlife reserve to spot resident wildlife, including antelopes, buffaloes, and elephants, among others. You will return for a late breakfast, check out, and leave for Kampala. You will have a lunch stop in Fort Portal.

No accommodation
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

End of the 3 Days Semuliki National Park Safari.

Safari Includes

Transfers in 4WD
Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary.
Local guide.
Bottled drinking water.
Fees & permits.
Activities indicated in the itinerary.
One chimp permit per person to be paid for in advance.
English speaking guide/driver.

Safari Excludes

Visa & Travel insurance
Emergency medical bills
Trip cancellation insurance
International flights
Airport taxes
All meals and drinks not specified
Tips and gratuities
Items of a personal nature

Start planning a dream safari with us. You can book this safari itinerary, create one from scratch with the help of an African safari expert, or customize one of our suggested tours to suit your travel preferences.

Important Notes for the 3 Days Semuliki National Park Safari

The 3 Days Semuliki National Park Safari is limited to a maximum of six travelers per vehicle, and a 30% deposit is required on confirmation.
Travelers with special needs may be required to pay an extra fee for trekking facilitation.
The minimum age for chimpanzee trekking is 15 years.
Dinner and accommodations before and after the trip are not included in the overall tour cost.
This 3 Days Semuliki National Park Safari is tailor-made and can be customized to your own style of travel. You can set your own dates (subject to availability) and choose your accommodation facilities with our guidance. The accommodations selected here are what we think will suit this kind of safari and are where we have the best rates for you.
Due to the uncertainty of travel during these times, you can postpone your trip up to 12 months ahead (considering accommodation availability) and have a minimum of 30 days to cancel.