5 Days Kibale Forest, Semuliki Valley, and Queen Elizabeth Park Safari
This 5-day Uganda safari is for travelers who want to see more than just the usual sights. You will go beyond the standard tourist routes. The trip connects three distinct ecosystems in Western Uganda. You start in the dense rainforests of Kibale, move to the low-lying Rift Valley floor in Semuliki, and finish on the open savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This itinerary focuses on active wildlife viewing. It includes walking through forests, tracking predators with researchers, and exploring wetlands. It is designed for those who are comfortable with early mornings and moderate physical activity.
Why Choose This Primate & Predator Route?
Most visitors to Uganda only see the savannah. This trip mixes deep forest and open plains.
High Success Rates: Kibale Forest has the highest density of chimpanzees in East Africa. You have a 95% chance of seeing them.
The Night Shift: Unlike most parks, Semuliki offers specialized night game drives. This gives you a chance to see nocturnal animals that hide during the day.
Active Participation: In Queen Elizabeth National Park, you do not just drive around looking for lions. You join a research team to track collared lions using radio telemetry.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Drive to Kibale Forest & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Your guide picks you up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe at 7:00 AM. We start early to avoid the city traffic. The drive to Fort Portal takes about 5 to 6 hours. The route takes you through
Mubende. You will see tea plantations and rocky outcrops as we get closer to the Rwenzori Mountains. We stop in Fort Portal town for a hot lunch at a local restaurant like Gardens Restaurant. The food is fresh and typically includes rice, plantains, and stew. After lunch, we drive 45 minutes to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This is not a standard park visit. It is a community-run project on the edge of Kibale Forest. You will go on a guided 2-hour nature walk. The main goal here is to spot primates and birds that live in the swamp. Look for the Great Blue Turaco. It is a large, bright blue bird that is hard to miss. You might also see Red Colobus monkeys and Grey-cheeked Mangabeys. The path is flat but can be muddy, so wear sturdy shoes.
Drive Time: 6 Hours Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation:
Luxury: Primate Lodge or Kyaninga Lodge
Mid-Range: Turaco Treetops
Budget: Isunga Lodge
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking & Night Drive in Semuliki
Breakfast is served at 6:30 AM. You need to be at the Kanyanchu Visitor Center by 7:30 AM for the briefing. The rangers will group you into teams of six. The trek starts at 8:00 AM. Walking in Kibale
differs from a normal hike. There are no clear trails. You follow the ranger through thick undergrowth. Listen for the pant-hoot calls of the chimpanzees. When you find them, you stay with them for one hour. You will see them grooming, eating, and playing on the ground or in the trees. It is loud and energetic. After the trek, we return to the lodge for lunch and then check out. We drive 2.5 hours to Semuliki National Park. The road winds down the Rift Valley escarpment. The temperature will rise as we drop in elevation. We arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon. Rest for a bit. After dinner, we head out for a night game drive in the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve. This is your best chance to see the Pennant-winged Nightjar or the White-tailed Mongoose. If we are lucky, we might spot a leopard hunting in the dark.
Drive Time: 2.5 Hours (Kibale to Semuliki) Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation:
Luxury: Semliki Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Ntoroko Game Lodge
Budget: UWA Bandas (Basic cottages)
Day 3: Sempaya Hot Springs & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth Park
We start the day with a visit to the Sempaya Hot Springs. There are two main springs, known locally 
as the “Male” and “Female” springs. The water here boils at over 100°C (212°F). You can bring raw eggs and plantains (matooke) to boil in the hot pools. It takes about ten minutes to cook them. While the food cooks, we walk through the forest trails. Semuliki is an extension of the Ituri Forest from the Congo. The birdlife here is different from the rest of Uganda. Keep an eye out for the Nkulengu Rail. We leave Semuliki before noon. We drive south towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. We will stop in Kasese town for lunch. The drive takes about 3 to 4 hours. You will cross the equator line on your way in. We arrive at your lodge near the Kazinga Channel in the evening. Relax and watch the sunset over the savannah.
Drive Time: 4 Hours Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge or Elephant Plains Lodge
Mid-Range: Buffalo Safari Lodge or Bush Lodge
Budget: Simba Safari Camp
Day 4: Lion Tracking Experience & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Today involves an early start. We leave the lodge at 6:00 AM for the Lion Tracking Experience. This is different from a normal game drive. We drive off-road with a researcher from the Uganda Carnivore
Program. We use radio antennas to locate lions that have tracking collars. This allows us to find the pride even if they are hiding in thick cactus bushes. You will learn about their family groups and health. The tracking lasts about three hours. We return to the lodge for a late breakfast and rest. The midday heat is strong, so lions tend to hide.
At 2:00 PM, we go to the Mweya peninsula for a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward. It has a very high concentration of hippos. You will see them in the water and on the banks. Elephants and buffalo also come down to drink in the afternoon. The boat gets you much closer to the animals than a car can. It is excellent for photography. Activity Time: 3 Hours (Tracking), 2 Hours (Boat) Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Same as the previous night.
Day 5: Return to Kampala/Entebbe via the Equator
We have a relaxed breakfast today. We check out of the lodge at 8:00 AM. The drive back to Kampala takes about 7 hours. We drive through the park on our way out. Keep your camera ready for any last animal sightings. We might see Uganda Kobs or warthogs near the road. We stop for lunch at the Igongo Cultural Center in Mbarara. The food here is a mix of local and international dishes. Our final stop is at the Uganda Equator in Kayabwe. You can stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern Hemisphere. There is a simple water experiment that shows the Coriolis effect, though it is mostly for fun. You can also buy souvenirs here. We drop you off at your hotel or Entebbe International Airport by late afternoon. Please book flights that depart after 8:00 PM.
Drive Time: 7 Hours Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
2026 Safari Exclusions & Inclusions
What Is Included
Chimpanzee trekking permit ($250 per person).
Lion tracking research permit ($100 per person).
Park entrance fees for all three parks.
Full-time English-speaking driver/guide.
Transport in a 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof.
Accommodation and meals as listed.
Bottled drinking water in the vehicle.
Boat cruise fees on the Kazinga Channel.
Government taxes
What Is Not Included
International flights and visas.
Tips for the guide and lodge staff.
Alcoholic drinks and laundry at lodges.
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Important Planning Information
Difficulty & Fitness Level
This trip is moderate.
Chimpanzee Trek: The forest floor is uneven. You may have to walk quickly to keep up with the chimps. You should be able to walk for 3 to 4 hours.
Semuliki Walk: The walk to the hot springs is flat and easy. However, Semuliki is in a valley and can be very humid and hot.
Vehicle Time: The roads between parks are paved, but the tracks inside the parks are dirt. Expect some bumps and dust.
What to Pack
Pack light but bring the right gear.
Footwear: Waterproof hiking boots for Kibale. Sandals for the lodge.
Clothing: Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts. These protect you from bugs and thorns in the forest. Neutral colors like khaki or green are best. Avoid blue or black, as they attract tsetse flies.
Rain Gear: A lightweight rain jacket or poncho. It can rain anytime in the forest.
Health: Insect repellent with DEET is necessary. Bring malaria prophylaxis medication prescribed by your doctor.
Best Time to Visit
You can do this safari year-round, but dry seasons are better.
December to February & June to August: These are the dry months. Trails are less muddy, and animals gather at water sources.
March to May & September to November: These are the wet seasons. It rains more, but the parks are greener. Chimps are often easier to find because food is plentiful closer to the ranger station.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to visit Semuliki National Park?
Yes. Semuliki is safe for tourists. It is located near the Congo border, but the area is patrolled by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the military. We always check security updates before travel.
What is the difference between a game drive and lion tracking?
A normal game drive relies on luck and eyesight to find animals. Lion tracking uses technology. We travel with a researcher who tracks the radio signal of a collared lion. This guarantees a sighting in almost all cases.
Can children go on this safari?
Children must be 12 years or older to trek with chimpanzees in Kibale. If you are traveling with younger children, we can arrange alternative activities for them while the adults trek.
How do we handle dietary restrictions?
All the lodges we work with can handle common dietary needs like vegetarian, gluten-free, or lactose-free meals. Please tell us about any allergies when you book.
Why do we need a 4×4 vehicle?
The roads inside Queen Elizabeth and Semuliki can get very muddy, especially if it rains. A 4×4 Land Cruiser ensures we do not get stuck. The pop-up roof also gives you a 360-degree view for photos
Ready for an Adventure?
This 5-day route offers a mix of forest hiking and savannah game viewing that few other trips can match.
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